Chicago pastor on a mission to give Christmas toys to kids in need

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago pastor is doing his part to spread holiday cheer.

He's behind a campaign to make sure no child in his community goes without at least one gift this Christmas. But to reach his goal of helping thousands of families, he first needs your help.

Inside a small Auburn Gresham store front church, big things are happening thanks in part to Pastor Kenyatta Smith and a team of volunteers.

"When I was 10 years old and I woke up, there was no toy under the Christmas tree, parents were struggling a little bit. I made up my mind then there wouldn't be person I could reach, a child that I could reach that didn't have a toy," he said.

So for the sixth year, Pastor Smith and Another Chance Church are giving Chicago area families another chance at holiday cheer with its Operation Cover Chicago Toy Drive.

"Last year we were able to give toys to 1,600 families, now this year we're going to for the gusto, 3000 families," Pastor Smith said. "We plan to make sure if a parent comes in here with 2 kids or 20 kids that those kids get a toy."

Donations are coming in, but more are needed. They hope to collect at least 3,000 toys in the coming days.

It's a big goal, but Pastor Smith is a man of big faith looking to make a big difference for the people in his community and beyond.

"This is our chance as a church to let our community know that there is hope out there that everything is not bad in our community that somebody still care....We think big and we do big," Smith said. "We are not a product of our environment, we believe that no matter how big or small you are that if you believe or work hard you can accomplish it."

Pastor Smith will be collecting toys through Sunday, December 18. The big give away is planned for December 23.

In addition to donations, Pastor Smith is looking for volunteers to help out on the big giveaway day.

To volunteer or donate, email anotherchancehd@gmail.com or visit www.anotherchancec.com.