Disney Ultimate Toy Drive: ABC7 Chicago holds 'Stuff the Big Bus Toy Express' event at Steinhafels
CHICAGO (WLS) -- 'Tis the season to bring joy to children around Chicagoland and that's the goal of the The Disney Ultimate Toy Drive! ABC 7 held its annual "Stuff the Big Bus Toy Express" campaign on Friday to make holiday wishes come true for children in need by supporting the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots.
Toys for Tots 2024 Coordinator, Sgt. Carmen Turrubiartes-Reyes of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, joined ABC 7 Chicago meteorologist Tracy Butler, live at the Orland Park Steinhafels, during ABC 7 Eyewitness News from 4:30- 8 a.m on Friday. Viewers were encouraged to stop by Steinhafels at 203 Orland Park Place, and "Stuff the Big Bus Toy Express," with a new, unwrapped toy.
"It's a blessing to be able to give, give every single gift to all these children out here that deserve it," gift giver Cynthia Gonzalez said.
The Carl Sandberg High School marching band and color guard got things going in style.
"There's some kids that don't have gifts this Christmas, so I just want to make sure everyone's got a little something," gift giver Rick Happ said.
Next stop on the "Stuff the Big Bus Toy Express" was Steinhafels in Schaumburg! ABC 7 anchor Mark Rivera joined Tracy, live, at the Steinhafels at 915 E. Golf Road during ABC 7's Eyewitness News and Windy City Weekend which air from 11 a.m. to noon.
After Schaumburg, Mark Rivera and the "Big Bus Toy Express" crew headed out to the Marine Corps' distribution warehouse at 239 Golf Mill Center in Niles - the old Sears store at the Golf Mill Shopping Center. This is a donated temporary space where the Marines will load up toy donations with a little help from Santa's helpers.
Westchester police joined in with a large showing.
This year, Disney has provided grants to Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots around the country through its Disney Ultimate Toy Drive. These grants will deliver an additional 75,000 toys to kids in need, and a local Disney grant will be supporting 5,000 new toys right here in Chicago! Every toy donation helps Toys for Tots' goal of collecting 125,000 toys this year. The 2023 campaign collected nearly 115,000 toys which were delivered to more than 87,000 children across the Chicagoland area.
Those who couldn't come out to "Stuff the Big Bus Toy Express" with toys can also help by donating online at chicago-il.toysfortots.org or at one of the many Toys for Tots drop-off sites across the Chicagoland area by Dec. 15. People can also donate through the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive at www.shopdisney.com until Dec. 24.
Thousands of toys were collected Friday.
"This is just like super motivating to see like all the people here to donate toys and whatnot, seeing all the Marines happy and seeing all the support for Toys for Tots," said Sgt. Rodolfo Jimenez, with U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots. "We're looking to get 100,000 toys, if not more. Honestly, for the past few years it's always increased, so the goal is always going to keep going higher and higher."
Jimenez was at the Steinhafels in Schaumburg along with the big man himself, Santa, joining reservists and Schaumburg police and fire to take donations, spreading joy during this season of giving, along with a cavalcade of decked out holiday jeeps from Jeeps on the Run.
"It was just extraordinary to see what this does for people and the community. I mean I'm at a loss for words because it's just so spectacular," said Connie Hardy, with Jeeps on the Run.
About ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago is the No. 1 local news source and most-watched television station in Chicago. With top-rated daily newscasts spanning decades and the largest social media presence in the market with more than 2.6 million Facebook followers, ABC7 Eyewitness News provides breaking news, investigative reporting, weather, politics, traffic and sports in the multiplatform space toChicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana. NamedBest News Operationby the Associated Press for four consecutive years, ABC 7 Eyewitness News produces "Chicago Proud," a series of features that spotlights everyday heroes in and around Chicago.The station also produces the highest-rated New Year's Eve special in Chicago,holiday kickoff special "The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival,"syndicated to a national audience, as well as the award-winning program series "Our Chicago," which showcases the city's diversityand highlights contributions in the Black, Hispanic, Asian,LGBTQ+ communities, among others.Every Friday, Windy City Weekend, entertains while giving Chicagoans everything they need to know about what's happening in the city. ABC 7 is the only Chicago station producing and broadcasting parades representing Chicago's rich cultural history. In addition to producing town halls focused on current social issues, the station has a long and proud tradition of broadcasting political candidate debates keeping Chicago'selectorate informed.ABC7's outreach efforts include annual partnerships with the Red Cross for life-saving blood drives, one of the biggest one-day drives in the country and, most recently, spearheading an effort to raise more than $1.5 million for area food pantries.
