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Family First Center of Lake County

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224-421-0948 | info@familyfirstcenter.org

Family First Center of Lake County

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • Behavioral Health Clinic
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Impact
    • Our Team
    • Our Board
    • Our Partners & Donors
  • Programs
    • Overview
    • Unity in the Community
    • Mental Health Services
    • Youth Programming
    • Case Management
    • Field Trips
    • Community Health Workers
    • Seniors on the Move
    • Toys for Tots
  • 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!

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 do it all over again next year!

Check out these photos from past toys for tots events!

    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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