With so many families in the Austin community struggling with economic hardship, buying toys for Christmas may not be an option — so a local advocate and community organization is stepping up for the fourth year to spread joy with an annual toy drive and tree lighting celebration.
“A lot of children in the Austin Community come from single-parent households and a lot of parents are not working or working low-paying jobs, so I know it’s a struggle,” said Dollie Sherman, youth engagement specialist with the Austin Community Hub of Austin Coming Together, a nonprofit advocacy group that is sponsoring the event.
According to a 2023 report from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, 35% of Austin community households earn less than $25,000 annually. Austin’s median household income, according to the data, is $38,407 annually.
“The holidays are often a happy time, but not if finances are tight, said Alicia Plomin, ACT’s director of marketing and development.
Sherman, a block club leader for the 600 block of North Lorel Avenue, added that her endeavors are an effort to serve as a resource for the community.
“With the toy drive, we’re trying to make sure the children have something to open on Christmas morning,” Sherman said.
Sherman asks that unwrapped toys and other items for children 0-18 years of age be dropped off at the Austin Coming Together office at 5049 W. Harrison St. on weekdays until Dec. 15. If the toy or item is wrapped, please indicate age and gender. Purchasing items from the Amazon Wish List is also an option.
“We’re going to put their toys in big plastic bags with a big bow on them,” she said. “We’re going to put their names on them and we’re going to deliver them. I have a mini school bus that we’ll use to deliver toys with the help of volunteers and parents with cars.”
“Coming out of COVID has really shown us what the devastation really looks like,” Sherman said. “So, we’re just trying to offset that and make sure the kids have something to open on Christmas day and to let them know we see them, we love them and we’re thinking about them.”
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
In past years, the tree lighting ceremony coincided with the toy giveaway that’s usually held later in December. This year, however, the event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., Dec. 1 at the community gardens on the 600 Block of North Lorel Avenue. Toys will be distributed on a later date in Dec., according to Sherman.
While toys and items won’t be given to children or parents during the tree lighting event, donations of toys or items will be accepted during the tree lighting event from those who bring them or drop them off during the event.
Based on the Christmas Around the World theme, the first tree lighting event was held on downtown State Street four years ago.
“I then brought the theme to my community gardens,” Sherman explained. “I would light six trees in one garden and six in the other garden right across the street and I asked people from different cultures to decorate the trees. Trees were also decorated with Chicago sports team themes.”
Sherman is asking anyone who would like to take part in decorating a Christmas tree or for more information about the toy drive or the tree lighting event, to contact her at hub@austincomingtogether.org.
Hot cocoa and other refreshments will be served. Santa Claus will also be there. Children in attendance will have an opportunity to take pictures with Santa.
