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Family First Center of Lake County

224-421-0948 | info@familyfirstcenter.org

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    • Home
    • About Us
      • Our History
      • Our Team
      • Our Board
      • Our Partners & Donors
    • Programs
      • Overview
      • Toys for Tots
      • Behavioral Health Clinic
      • Unity in the Community
      • Mental Health Services
      • Youth Programming
      • Case Management
      • Community Outings
      • Community Health Workers
      • Seniors on the Move
    • Our Impact
      • Newsletters
      • Blog
    • Get Involved
      • Ways to Help
      • Volunteer
      • Make A Donation
    • Calendar
    • Contact Us

224-421-0948 | info@familyfirstcenter.org

Family First Center of Lake County

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Team
    • Our Board
    • Our Partners & Donors
  • Programs
    • Overview
    • Toys for Tots
    • Behavioral Health Clinic
    • Unity in the Community
    • Mental Health Services
    • Youth Programming
    • Case Management
    • Community Outings
    • Community Health Workers
    • Seniors on the Move
  • Our Impact
    • Newsletters
    • Blog
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to Help
    • Volunteer
    • Make A Donation
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us

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Thank You to Our 2024 Toys for Tots Sponsors and Supporters!

Frequently Asked Questions

Spreading Joy Every Holiday Season

What is Toys for Tots?

Toys for Tots is a program created by the U.S. Marine Corps to assist in giving gifts to children in need with the help of local organizations. This program started in 1947 and has created a major positive impact in over 800 communities across the United States ever since.


Ever since 2007, The Family First Center of Lake County has become the main organizer for the entire Lake County community. As Toys for Tots organizers, we help register thousands of families every year, ensuring they don't miss out on the opportunity to receive their gifts. We also get the gifts directly to the families, organizing gift pick-up events just in time for Christmas. These events are about more than just gifts—they are spaces where our community can come together focused on spreading fun, hope, and joy. 


Our goal of spreading joy during the holiday season would not be possible without the help of our amazing volunteers. Undoubtedly one of our biggest events every year, Toys for Tots truly takes a village to make possible. We are so grateful for all the volunteers who work so hard every year to support families in need and make sure their kids feel nothing but joy and love every holiday season. 


Every winter, we look forward to bringing joy to your family with the amazing efforts of US Marine Corps. Our registration for Lake County will be available every Fall. Please keep a look out for communication from us about upcoming registration!

Toys for Tots and its Nationwide Impact

The U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program helps families all around the United States. Learn more about what this incredible program does!

Click Here

Bringing the "Shopping Experience" to Toys for Tots

In the Past...

Since we started working with the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program in 2007, we took a traditional approach to giving gifts to families. Families would show up to our gift giveaway and receive gifts based on their kids' ages. 


Though this system works great, it sometimes meant families did not receive the kinds of gifts their kids would like. We started thinking: How do we make this experience even better for families?


No one knows kids better than the loved ones that surround them—the families that watch them grow and the friends they meet along the way. That's why starting in 2023, we wanted to provide families an experience that would ensure families could receive gifts their kids would love.

Starting in 2023...

In 2023, with the help of the American Place Casino, we rented out a space at the Gurnee Mills mall to give our first ever FFC "shopping experience" for the Toys for Tots gift giveaway. Families entered the store and were welcomed by tables full of toys organized by age range and interests, allowing families to choose the toys they wanted for their kids. 


This initiative was taken with the hope that it would help families receive age-appropriate, good quality toys, and we are happy to say that it was a huge success. We gave away toys to over 3500 families and over 7000 children, and we are excited to continue doing so for the years to come!

Frequently Asked Questions About Toys for Tots

Please reach us at info@familyfirstcenter.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

There's a three-step process to receive toys:

  1. Fill out our online registration form, which will be open from October 15 to December 5 this year.
  2. Get your documents verified and receive your pick-up letter during one of our in-person registration days.
  3. Pick up your toys during one of our gift distribution days, making sure to bring your pick-up letter.


Specific information regarding this process will be sent directly to your email after you fill out our online registration form, so be sure to add info@familyfirstcenter.org to your email account safe list and regularly check your JUNK/SPAM email folder for Toys for Tots-related notifications and confirmations.


You can be notified by signing up for our eNewsletter. Not only will you receive the Toys for Tots online registration link directly to your email, you will also receive information about upcoming events, local resources, and more.


Kids ages 0-12 can receive toys through the Toys for Tots program.


We will be sending information about the Toys for Tots process directly to your email. Be sure to add info@familyfirstcenter.org to your email account safe list and regularly check your JUNK/SPAM email folder for Toys for Tots-related notifications and confirmations.


Thank you for your interest in serving Lake County families with us this holiday season! Learn about ways to support the Family First Center on our Ways to Help page. We'll be sharing information about how to support Toys for Tots specifically soon. If you would like to be contacted directly once this information is available, reach out to us at info@familyfirstcenter.org. 


No, because the Family First Center is only able to help provide toys to families living in Lake County. However, you can find a local chapter of Toys for Tots in your community on the Toys for Tots website.


Don't Miss Out on the Toys for Tots Experience

Registration starts in the Fall! Keep an eye out for updates
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    Family First Center of Lake County

    2504 Washington Street Suite 603, Waukegan IL 60085

    224-421-0948 | info@familyfirstcenter.org

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