The Toys for Kids campaign relies on the community’s support and generosity to ensure a brighter Christmas morning for these kids and their families. Lions Club members are asking anyone who can give a little extra to come and choose a gift tag at the office of Teresa Bielema/Country Financial, located at 34 Grove Street in Prophetstown (next to Dollar General) or drop off your donation at any of the collection boxes around town.
The Lions Club is providing gifts to 32 families within the PLT #3 School District this year, covering an age range of 0-17. Drop-off boxes for new, unwrapped toys are located at Farmers National Bank, 1ST Gateway Credit Union, Country Financial, Prophetstown Park District, and the Prophetstown Post Office.
Bielema also has a Christmas tree at the office full of tags with specific items for those who could use some gift-giving inspiration. Each tag contains the age, gender, and specific requests of a child, from art supplies to sports gear to Legos to dolls. Monetary donations are also welcome to cover the cost of clothing, coats, boots, etc., especially for the older kids. Bielema said most of the older kids don’t have tags since they don’t ask for toys, and they’ll be taken care of by Lions Club shoppers. Monetary donations can be made at Farmers National Bank in Prophetstown or mailed to the Lions Club at P.O. Box 6, Prophetstown, IL 61277.
Anyone that takes a tag is asked to return the gift with the tag taped on it to Bielema’s office by Friday, December 12th or at the Prophetstown Park District office by Saturday, December 13th. Volunteers will wrap all the gifts on Sunday, December 14th at the Park District and delivery will be on Monday, December 15th. Volunteer wrappers are also needed!
Contact Bielema by phone at 815-537-1135 or by email at teresa.bielema@countryfinancial.com with any questions. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and closed on the weekends.
