While several local businesses, organizations and individuals donate time and resources to helping area philanthropic organizations during the holidays, for one Macomb attorney and her law firm, the annual Toys for Tots program takes on a whole new meaning.
Attorney Stephanie Hilton, along with her husband, Justin Bougher, who are partners with Bougher, Krisher and Clark on the Macomb Square, the annual program means a little something more for her. What drives her to provide holiday joy to area children? The legacy of her late father, Cecil Hilton, a Macomb High School graduate and WWII veteran, who passed away at the age of 89 in July 2016.
'My dad grew up in the 1920s and his family was impoverished. They even had to live in a barn for a few months,' she shared. 'He always wanted a bicycle, but his parents could never afford one. Later in life, when he had a farm of his own and had the funds to do so, he made it his mission every year to head to a bicycle shop in Burlington (Iowa) and buy about $1,000 worth of bikes to give away to area children every Christmas so no child who wanted a bike would be without one.'
Her father's yearly gesture left an indelible mark on his daughter, so much so that their law firm, in conjunction with the McDonough County Bar Association and Woodrum Automotive, will have two pick-up trucks at Dicken's on the Square from 6-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5 to collect toys for the Toys for Tots program and non-perishable food for the Good Food Pantry in Macomb.
'We know that so many people are doing what they can, and we hope that you can find a little extra to help us fill the trucks for area families Dec. 5,' Bougher added.
Other Toys for Tots donation boxes are in place at Wal-Mart, Farm King, Dollar General, Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, WIU Civil Service Employee Council (CSEC) and the Council of Administrative Personnel (COAP) {Sherman Hall}, at Bougher's law firm, Tom Conklin-State Farm, Heritage Tractor, Derek Zahm-State Farm, Fortress Bank, 309 Marketplace, Macomb City Hall, Macomb Police Department and Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce.
An in-person registration for participating children 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 addition to the Dickens on the Square drive Dec. 5, the Macomb Fire Department and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Macomb will host a toy drive at the Macomb Wal-Mart on 'Black Friday' (Nov. 28) from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Toys for Tots of West Central Illinois distributes toys to economically disadvantaged children each year over the holidays. The West Central Illinois chapter, 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. The Macomb effort is being coordinated by volunteer Lindsey Wiemerslage. To request a toy or get involved, visit westcentral- il.toysfortots.org.
