This year’s toy drive reflects the long-standing tradition of Oak Forest students collecting toys to distribute to children throughout the holidays. I caught up with Operation Snowball’s sponsor, Ms. Truitt, to ask her about this year’s toy drive, which her club oversaw.
Q: Where did the idea for this year’s toy drive come from? How did five clubs/activities end up working together?
A: Mr. Boniface! He stated that in the past, Operation Snowball always spearheaded a toy drive, but has not done one in a couple years. Since I am newly sponsoring the club, I was excited to jumpstart this toy drive again! We are working with NHS, Student Council, Varsity Club and Pep Club for a collective student wide push for a great cause! WGN News Chicago is the overall sponsor of the Toy Drive.
Q: What worthy cause will receive the donations from this year’s toy drive?
A: These Toys will benefit 2 local programs: “Christmas in the Wards” and “Off the Street Club.” “Christmas in the Wards” has been running successfully for 29 years. In 2024 they donated 2,500 coats and 5,000 toys to local families in need. “Off the Street Club” is Chicago’s oldest boys and girls club! This is a special place for kids and young adults to go, feel supported, and put their worries aside. Please take a moment to check out these two programs–they do great work!
Q: How many students are volunteering to spread awareness of the toy drive, collect the toys, and organize them?
A: There are over 200 students across these 5 clubs! We are aiming for them to spread awareness to their friends, family and neighbors. DECA Club has assisted with the adorable Holiday Toy Drive posters posted around the school, and each club has planned their own Holiday shopping date! Operation Snowball we will be responsible for dropping them off to WGN.
Q: Who are the student leaders who are taking charge? Might they be willing to give us a quotation or two about how working for the toy drive makes them feel?
A: Operation Snowball Toy Drive is led by students Grace Fanelli, Mikayla Graziano, Dominick Graziano and Maggie Hoffman. “Helping with the Toy Drive makes my heart feel so full this holiday season! Being able to bring joy to children is so fulfilling!” DECA and Varsity Club have had numerous contributors as well!
Q: How can you guys spread love around the community? There are people around the world who suffer every day and go through lives that we don’t know, and we can’t save everyone, even if our goal and purpose is to help people and help the community.
A: What I feel our purpose is in the community is to create a “Snowball Effect.” You are so correct; there are many people suffering around the world. Those we know, those we don’t. Those close, those far. If every person was able to spread just a kind word, a smile, a gracious hand throughout their daily lives, this would create a snowball effect where something small builds upon itself. When momentum is gained, size and speed accelerates, leading to more kindness being spread further and further, especially to those places harder to reach.
Q: Do you and the members of toy drive and other toy drive events deliver toys to orphanages and adoption centers? There are children who go through these lives where they want family and want to be loved. How can you guys help with that?
A: “Off the Street Club” works daily with over 3,000 underprivileged kids, and “Christmas in the Wards” directly affects over 12,000 families reaching the most underserved communities. While not exclusively for foster youth, these programs have broad community focus and support for families in vulnerable situations. Many children in foster care benefit from these resources. Personally, Foster care and adoption are near and dear to my heart, and my goals moving forward with Snowball is to be more involved charitably, or voluntarily with organizations and families directly affected.
Toy drive video:
https://drive.google.com/drive/home
Video link courtesy of Dominic Graziano
