Lake County Gazette

Vernon Hills is aiding the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program with donations being accepted until Dec. 14, the village said on its website.

Participants in the program, which collects and distributes Christmas toys for needy children, can bring unwrapped and new items to any of three sites in Vernon Hills. Items that can be donated inclue skateboards, backpacks, books, games, hair dryers or straighteners, sporting goods, handheld electronics and remote-controlled vehicles.

No toys that look like real weapons or food item will be accepted, the posting said.

Donated items can be dropped off at the following locations at these times: the Vernon Hills Police Department, 740 Lakeview Parkway, 24 hours a day; Vernon Hills Village Hall, 290 Evergreen Drive, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; and Vernon Hills Public Works, 490 Greenleaf Drive, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.

The Toys for Tots program started in 1947 by Marine Reservists in Los Angeles who gave out about 5,000 toys to those in need. The program has given out more than 500 million toys benefiting more than 237 million children, the posting said.

Go to VernonHills.org for more information.