CARBONDALE — The Marine Corps League and Shawnee Detachment #812 are excited to have a new home for Toys for Tots distribution, thanks to the City of Carbondale.

The City leased its old Public Works facility, located at 602 1/2 E. College Street, to Toys for Tots. The site will be used as a hub for toy distribution for the next 10 years. 

Carbondale Mayor John “Mike” Henry says the City of Carbondale welcomes the opportunity to assist the Toys for Tots program with their move to Carbondale. Henry says the city is grateful for the good work they do to make our children’s lives a little happier

Carbondale Toys for Tots Coordinator Skip Cosgrove says the partnership between Toys for Tots and the City of Carbondale is the best thing that has happened to Toys for Tots since we began nearly 20 years ago. He says city representatives have been extremely helpful and accommodating and we now have a place where we can effectively provide toys for less fortunate children and grow to accommodate the ever-increasing demand to bring a little Christmas to every child.

In December 2017, Toys for Tots distributed toys to 1,460 kids in Carbondale. A total of 10,425 toys were distributed to 3,700 kids in five counties throughout southern Illinois.