How To Donate To Local Families This Holiday

Toy Express is a toy drive that serves approximately 21,000 kids across the western suburbs from towns like La grange to Addision.

Looking to give back to local families this holiday season? Toy Express is making it easy.  "You would not believe how many needy families there are here that should be taken care of during holidays," said Suzanne DeYoung, president of the Darien-based charity. Toy Express serves approximately 21,000 kids from toddlers to early teens in the DuPage area. It receives referrals from various social service organizations and allows parents who live at or below the poverty level to pick out gifts for their children.  You can donate new and gently used toys (the group also accepts winter apparel) to any fire or police department in Darien, as well as all fire departments in the Tri-State and Pleasant View districts.  DeYoung's husband, Mike, is a…

• Photos (1)

Donate Food, Toys for Needy Families This Holiday Season

The Darien Lion’s Club and Darien Park District are collecting items for the annual Food Basket program and toy drive.

Looking to spread some cheer this holiday season? The community is invited to help two Darien organizations who are working together to help the area’s needy families. Starting Nov. 24, the Darien Lions Club will begin collecting non-perishable food items for its 38th annual Food Basket program. Bags containing goods such as canned food and boxed macaroni and cheese, as well as fresh meat and produce will be given to about 200 families in need in and around Darien. In cooperation with the Lions Club program, the Darien Park District is conducting its annual toy drive. The items will be distributed along with the Lions Club's food baskets. “This is by far the largest outreach program in our community and we are helping so many families to …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Two Organizations Band Together For Needy Families

The Darien Lion’s Club and Darien Park District are collecting items for the annual Food Basket program and toy drive.

Looking to spread some cheer this holiday season? The community is invited to help two Darien organizations who are working together to help the area’s needy families. The Darien Lions Club is currently collecting non-perishable food items for its annual Food Basket program. Bags containing goods such as canned food and boxed macaroni and cheese, as well as fresh meat and produce will be given to about 200 families in need in and around Darien. In cooperation with the Lions Club program, the Darien Park District is conducting its annual toy drive. The items will be distributed along with the Lions Club's food baskets. “This is by far the largest outreach program in our community and we are helping so many families to have a brighter …

• Photos (1)

Treasure Chest Chock Full of Gifts for Kids

The Orland Park-based foundation collects toys for children suffering from cancer and recently saw a 20 percent increase in donations.

Kristine Bulian knew what her family had to do. About two and a half years ago, her daughter Hannah was admitted to Advocate Hope Children's Hospital for intense chemotherapy to treat leukemia. It was her 12th birthday. When the doctors found out it was Hannah's birthday, she immediately got to pick a present from the "treasure chest," a selection of toys donated to hospitals across the country from the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. During 16 hospital stays that followed after her birthday, the staff would bring her toys to choose from on days when she needed rest, especially after a difficult procedure. "It was significant. She always smiled," Kristine Bulian said.  "The hospital staff would always look for the perfect …

• Photos (5)

Giving Thanks

Lions Club Delivers Food, Toys and Smiles during Annual Drive

Now through Dec. 14 the club will be collecting donations throughout town.

The Darien Lions Club expects to see a lot of tears when they knock on area doors this Dec. 18. But it's not a bad thing. It's just the usual reaction the members get when delivering food baskets as part of the club's annual holiday food drive. "In most cases, [people cry] tears of happiness," said this year's Food Basket co-chair and past club president, Bill Bucholz. "They say, 'Oh god bless you. This is just God sent because we didn't have anything coming.' They are very, very, very sincere and thankful." For more than 30 years, the Lions Club has brought a little more joy into needy families' homes during the holiday season through its food drive, going on now through Dec. 14. This year, the club hopes to feed 200 families in Darien, …

• Photos (1)