About the Toy Drive
WGN-TV will be celebrating its 23rd Annual Toy Drive on Friday, December 12th, 2025 from 5am to 2pm. Toys donated will benefit Christmas in the Wards and Off the Street Club. In addition, WGN sponsors and viewers are invited to make monetary donations through the WGN-TV Family Charities Fund and all donations will be matched at 50% by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and be evenly divided between the two charities.
McCormick Match
The McCormick Foundation matches funds raised at 50 cents on the dollar. We pay all campaign and administrative expenses, so one hundred percent of all donations, plus the match is granted to qualified nonprofit organizations.
Consider Making a Donation
About WGN-TV Family Charities
WGN-TV Family Charities, a McCormick Foundation Fund, is focused on creating opportunities for children and families to help them fulfill their potential. We hope to bring awareness to various organizations and to enlist community support to help make a difference in the lives of families throughout the Chicago area.
The McCormick Foundation does not make grants to programs that would financially benefit WGN-TV.
About Off the Street Club
Off The Street Club is Chicago’s oldest boys and girls club, providing hope, play and ‘casual joy’ since 1900. The Club currently serves more than 3,000 kids in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country, West Garfield Park. Providing after-school activities, summer camps and events ‘where kids can be kids’, Off The Street Club’s motto is, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Every child seeking a safe place to go is welcome to join Off the Street Club for games, play and mentorship; it’s where ‘hope has a home.’
About Christmas in the Wards
From its beginning in 1996, Christmas in the Wards founding principles and guiding mission is service to the community and a helping hand to families in need during the Christmas season. Today, Christmas in the Wards and its supporting Wards 365 platform annually serves hundreds of Chicago communities and families, diversifying its giving programs and outreach to meet the needs and challenges of the time in the marginalized areas throughout the city. Families strive 365 days a year, yet the strains are felt most during the holiday season, collectively called “the most wonderful time of the year.” As disparities widen for so many, Christmas in the Wards mission deepens to bridge the gaps through clothing and essentials for families, laptops and tutoring services for students, food and nutrition support, and spectacular gifts from Santa to aid families, ease burdens, and spread the true spirit and meaning Christmas.