Each year, McDonough County organizations and groups work to make area residents' holidays just a little brighter.
Toys for Tots
Lindsey Wiemerslage, financial director for the Housing Authority of McDonough County, is volunteering to coordinate Macomb's efforts for the annual Toys for Tots program. According to Wiemerslage, there are currently 269 children (111 families) signed up for this year's program. An in-person registration will be held from 5:30--7:30 p.m., Nov. 25, at The Crossing Church in Macomb. To sign up, an ID is required, as is proof of address and proof of life for participating children.
In Macomb, donation boxes are in place at Wal-Mart, Farm King, Dollar General, Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, Sherman Hall at Western Illinois University, Bougher, Krisher and Clark, Tom Conklin-State Farm, Heritage Tractor, Derek Zahm-State Farm and Fortress Bank.
The WIU Civil Service Employee Council (CSEC) and the Council of Administrative Personnel (COAP) are coordinating the collection efforts for the WIU community.
Donation boxes are located on the first floor of Sherman Hall, Stipes Hall and Western Hall through Tuesday, Dec.
16.
Toys for Tots of West Central Illinois, led by Jessica Humke, serves Adams, Brown, Hancock, McDonough, Pike and Schuyler counties. In 2024 the organization distributed 105,588 toys to over 14,650 children in the region. To request a toy or get involved, visit westcentral-il.toysfortots. org. Toys for Tots, which is a nearly 80-year-old initiative, collects new, unwrapped toys, which are then distributed to economically disadvantaged children.
Join the Kringle Club: WIRC Project Santa While applications to take part in this year's Project Santa, an annual program offered to area families by the Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency, are now closed, volunteer shoppers and gift sorters, as well as donors, are currently needed. To sign up to help, donate and/or sponsor a child, visit wirpc.org/projectsanta/.
The mission of Project Santa is to provide gifts and clothing to children of eligible households in Hancock, Henderson, and McDonough counties in western Illinois. Former WIRC Executive Director Suzan Nash and former Clothing Center Manager Teresa Cadle created the program in 1983.
'We helped a little girl who was more excited about getting a new winter coat than her toys, and many other children have been excited about having their own blankets and shoes. The children we help, and their adults, are often worrying about things that many of us take for granted,' said Jamie Roth, WIRC public relations director.
Salvation Army Angel Tree
The WIU Office of Student Engagement is hosting its annual Angel Tree program, a toy drive in collaboration with the Salvation Army. The annual event brings gifts for the holidays to children who otherwise might not receive any.
To participate, visit the Angel Tree on the ground floor of the University Union and take an 'angel' from the tree. Register the selected angel at the service desk near the University Bookstore (across from the food court), and bring back new, unwrapped gifts to the OSE (first floor, University Union) by 4:30 p.m., Dec. 5.
Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign
The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign will be held Nov. 15-Dec. 14, with the Macomb center's goal set at $35,000, according to Capt. Ron Felt. Volunteer bellringers are needed to staff the kettles at various locations throughout Macomb. Individuals interested in volunteering, either by themselves or with a group through an organization or program, should contact Lisa at the Macomb Salvation Army at (309) 837-4824 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday-Friday, or register online at registertoring.com.
'For over 100 years, The Salvation Army has been serving those in need, right here in Macomb and throughout McDonough County, but we can't do it alone,' Felt shared.
'We need the help of the wonderful and generous people of the community to ring, donate and support us because only together can we help those that need it most.'
Funds raised through the Salvation Army's holiday campaign go to toward helping those in need throughout the year. The Macomb Salvation Army also provides food, clothing, household items, personal care kits, toys and boxed meals for Christmas and are working on adding more services in the coming year, he added. The organization also offers the program, 'Pathway of Hope,' which is designed to help to guide families out of poverty and become self-sustaining.
Last year, 2.5 million people received necessary holiday assistance through The Salvation Army. The holiday assistance programs provide food, gifts and other essential items to those in need during the season.
