June 30, 2025
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DeKalb County Toys for Tots needs toys for kids of all ages

By Daily Chronicle staff report
Toys for Tots donations are stored at The Salvation Army, 830 Grove St., DeKalb, Friday. The foundation is expected to provide Christmas toys to about 1,000 DeKalb County families.

Toys for Tots donations are stored at The Salvation Army, 830 Grove St., DeKalb, Friday. The foundation is expected to provide Christmas toys to about 1,000 DeKalb County families. (Shaw Local News Network file photo)

DeKALB – Toys for Tots is collecting new, unwrapped toys at locations throughout DeKalb County.

DeKalb County Toys for Tots supplies toys to nonprofit agencies, which give presents for the holidays to more than 2,000 children.

In the past, because of the number of toys donated and the number of kids needing toys, the organization usually has about 1,000 toys to store for the following year. Last year’s need was so large, however, that there were no surplus toys left over, and there are no toys left to start this year.

There are about 100 donation boxes around the county to collect the toys, including: DeKalb Public Library, Aarons, Bill White’s Car Hospital, EcoWater, UPS Store, Lehan Drugs, Brad Manning Ford, Jewel Osco in Sycamore and DeKalb, Family Health Center, Just the Details, Ralph’s Car Wash, HyVee, Office Max, Five Below, Walgreens in Sycamore and DeKalb, Brian Bemis Toyota, Dodge, Ford and Honda, DeKalb GMC Chevy, Menards, Office Max, Country Financial, Family Dental Cared, Merlin Complete Auto Care, Sycamore Integrated Health, Kishwaukee YMCA and Dollar General in DeKalb and Cortland.

All boxes will be picked up Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 to allow volunteers to sort and deliver to agencies before Christmas.

Toys for all ages are needed. Toys for Toys gives toys to children and teens through age 18, as long as they are in high school. Gift ideas for children up to age 2 include books, teething toys and educational and musical toys. Children ages 3 to 8 years old enjoy the newest popular items from the current movies and TV shows such as “Frozen,” “Star Wars” and “Marvel, Fortnite,” according to a news release.

Children ages 9 to 15 years old generally prefer chapter or young adult books, arts and craft supplies, science items, popular name-brand items such as Fortnite, Minecraft, electronics, ear buds, headphones and Nerf items. Items 15 to 18 years olds would like include nail polish, perfume, cologne, shaving items, makeup, digital watches, jewelry, sports equipment, skateboards, automotive tools, screw drivers, beginning tool sets and drones.

Monetary donations can be made online at dekalb-il.toysfortots.org. Every donation, toy or money given in DeKalb County stays local. The money is used to purchase books and toys for the ages that are lacking items in the donation boxes.

In DeKalb County, Toys for Tots looks to give each family a board game, large puzzle or family video to promote family time; each child two toys; each child an age-appropriate book to promote literacy; and each child several stocking stuffers depending on donations.

For information, contact the DeKalb County Toys for Tots coordinator at 779-777-5896 or email dekalb.il@toysfortots.org.

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