The New Lenox Fire Protection District is now collecting items for Toys for Tots. Area residents will be able to drop off new, unwrapped toys at each of the four fire stations. Collection dates will be November 1st through December 1st.

The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

“We are happy to once again support the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve with their Toys for Tots Program,” stated NLFPD’s Deputy Fire Chief, Dan Turner. “Over the last couple of years, the Toys for Tots program has seen an increase in children needing support. We are hoping to be able to exceed the more than 1,500 toys we were able to collect last year for less fortunate children in our area with the help of our district’s residents.”

Fire station drop off locations:
Station 1: 261 E. Maple Street
Station 2: 1205 N. Cedar Road
Station 3: 930 N. Country Creek Drive
Station 4: 19819 Schoolhouse Road

The Will, Kendall and Grundy County Toys for Tots campaign manages donations for the area. In 2020, Toys for Tots distributed more 47,777 toys to 8,652 children in the area and a total of 19 million toys to 7.3 million less fortunate children in the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

For anyone who prefers not to donate in person due to COVID-19 concerns, Toys for Tots has established a virtual “toy box.” Anyone who wishes to donate online can do so by visiting https://www.toysfortots.org/virtualtoybox/ and purchasing a toy online. Toys from this website will be distributed across the country and delivered by Toys for Tots.

The primary mission of the New Lenox Fire and Ambulance Protection District is to provide a range of programs designed to protect the lives and property within New Lenox Village and Township from the effects for fires and sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by man or nature with professional, compassionate, and quality service.