The Village of Park Forest hosted its annual Toy Giveaway event on Saturday at Village Hall, a tradition that brings joy and support to local families during the holiday season.

Community Relations Manager Evelyn Randle, who hosted the event with the Park Forest Commission on Human Relations, shared that the initiative successfully reached out to approximately 100 families in the community, ultimately providing gifts to 260 children. Each child received two wrapped gifts, complemented by a selection of trinkets tucked into their gift bags.

"You could truly feel the joy in the air," Randle reflected. "The atmosphere was filled with gratitude and excitement as families expressed their heartfelt thanks to our dedicated volunteers. With the challenges many face nowadays, the Village recognized the need for support and prioritized giving back to our community."

To ensure the success of the Toy Giveaway, Randle began her outreach efforts in November, encouraging residents to contribute gifts for the Park Forest Toy Drive. Her hard work and outreach paid off significantly, as several local businesses stepped up to help. They raised over $2,200, which was used to purchase additional gifts, demonstrating a level of community spirit and collaboration. In total, staff, volunteers, and the Park Forest Board of Trustees distributed more than 500 presents to families. 

Randle also created a registration link for residents interested in participating in the Toy Drive, allowing them to sign up by the deadline. She mentioned that all families who registered on time were accepted, regardless of their income. Parents had the opportunity to submit their sweater sizes and received a Park Forest hoodie during the drive.

Randle emphasized that the overwhelming generosity displayed during the event speaks volumes about Park Forest's character. 

"It's truly the community's kindness and willingness to support one another that defines us," Randle said. "The Toy Giveaway not only brightened the holiday season for many local children and families but also reinforced the strong sense of unity and compassion within the Village of Park Forest."