Beginning November 30, toy drive collection bins will be available in four locations, including the Lombard Village Hall (255 E. Wilson), Fire Station 1 (50 E. St. Charles Road), Fire Station 2 (2020 S. Highland Avenue) and Schroeder’s Ace Hardware (837 Westmore/Meyers Road). Items requested include new toys (unwrapped) as well as baby supplies such as formula and diapers. Items collected will benefit the Teen Parent Connection, First Things First and the Lombard/Villa Park Food Pantry. The Fire Department is also partnering with District 44 schools to collect items in local schools.
District 45 will also be collecting toys at Westmore School with an effort led by the 5th grade Destination Imagination Team.

“We look forward to this event every year. It’s a great cause and it also gives us firefighters a chance to connect with members of the community that we serve every day,” said Lombard Firefighter Josh Hays. “Everyone who participates gets to make sure that local families have a happy Holiday season. We get to be a part of that, and that’s pretty special.”

The Toy Parade will be held on December 12, for the last-minute collection of items. Fire vehicles and firefighters will begin the parade at 10:30 a.m., at Main St. and St. Charles Rd., and will proceed to Glenbard East High School. Firefighters and volunteers will collect toys along the parade route on the west side of the street only as far as Glenbard East High School. The parade will continue on to Yorktown, where the toys will be unloaded on the upper level near Carson’s.

Cash donations are also being accepted and may be dropped off at either Fire Station. For more information please contact Firefighter Joshua Hays at (630)620-5734 or email haysj@villageoflombard.org, or call Assistant Chief Jerry Howell at 630-620-5761.