Last year we brought 1,350 Gifts to Chicago Families! CAN WE BEAT THAT???
Once again, we are collecting NEW UNWRAPPED toys/gifts to donate to children (age 0-17 years old) within the Englewood community of Chicago. Englewood has truly come to DEPEND on us…our neighborhood sources 80% of their donations. We are also collecting WRAPPING SUPPLIES (paper, LOTS OF TAPE, boxes, bags/tissue paper) and CANDY for stocking stuffers. (Our goal is to give EVERY kid a bag of candy!)— that means we need about 1,500 bags of candy.
Last year we brought 1,473 gifts to Chicago! AMAZINGGGGGG! BUT…CAN WE BEAT THAT??? To explain a bit, these gifts go to the Englewood community on the south side of Chicago. It is called The Chicago City Life Center, ran by Charles and Kehinde (Kay) Moodie. Unfortunately, Englewood is “known for violence, drugs, and deep urban poverty; it is listed as one of the worst crime areas in the entire country.”
You can read more about the center at https://www.chicagocitylifecenter.org/.
The Recap
Please note: They are requesting NO toy guns; this includes NERF guns. In addition, the population there is 99% African American…please keep this in mind if purchasing a toy with skin tones. If you donate a toy that needs batteries, PLEASE provide the batteries. Simply tape them to the package. Don’t forget the teenagers. They will need gifts as well and especially love dark colored hoodies.
Holiday Gift Ideas
The center has specifically asked for an emphasis this year on Teen Bath Sets. Below are preferred brands for boys and girls.
Preferred Bath Sets
Boys
- Axe
- Bath and Body Works
- Dove
- Adidas
- Dial
- Neiva
Girls
- Bath and Body Works
- Dove
- Neiva
- Olay
- Caress
Please No Old Spice
Other Holiday Gift Ideas
- Crafts sets
- Marvel/Super Heros
- Balls (Football & Basketballs)
- Hair Accessories
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse
- Barbies
- Baby Dolls
- Hooded Sweatshirt (Black and Blue)
- Pretend Play
- Flat Irons
- Make-Up
- Over-the-Door Basketball hoops
- Purses (back style)
- 18-inch Dolls (i.e. Target’s Our Generation Brand)
- Legos
- Cars/Trucks
- Bluetooth Speakers
- Headphones/Earbuds
- Portable chargers
- Make-Up Mirros
- Remote Control Car With Batteries
- Scooters
Important Note
No Toy Guns. This includes NERF.
If the toy requires batteries please tape them to the box.
This is a largely African-American population. Please keep that in mind if choosing a toy with skin tones.
