Orland Park Boy Scout Troop 383 Collecting New Toys for Washington, IL Children

ORLAND PARK, IL - Orland Park Boy Scout Troop 383 collected 10 cases of paper products, toiletries, non-perishable food items and gift cards for the November 17 tornado victims at its November 23 pancake breakfast.  The troop is now focusing on the children of Washington, Illinois, wanting to make their Christmases a little brighter.

“A lot of people brought things to the pancake breakfast and we took everything that we collected to the Lions Club trailer that went to where the tornadoes hit,” said Senior Patrol Leader Tim Klotz. “When we were talking about what we collected, someone asked about the kids and what they’re getting for Christmas. That’s how we decided to collect new toys,” he said.

The troop will collect new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages on Saturday, December 14 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orland Park Veterans Center, the George Brown Commons, at 15045 West Avenue.

“We want to help the kids,” said Patrol Leader Jake Monnett. “They lost everything. Their houses are gone and all of their toys. They have to celebrate Christmas somewhere else. We want to try to make them a little happier,” he said.

West Avenue is four blocks west of LaGrange Road and the Veterans Center is just north of 151st Street and West Avenue.

The troop is collecting with the help of its charter organization, the Village of Orland Park Veterans Commission and the Modern Arnis Academy at 15252 West 143rd Street in Homer Glen.

“Mr. Ken Smith at Modern Arnis Academy is accepting donations to go to Washington at his academy and he’s willing to deliver what we collect,” Klotz said.

“We’re chartered by the Veterans Commission and they’re letting us use their building to collect the toys,” said Mitchell Kramer, the troop’s quartermaster. “And, Mr. Smith is going to take what we collect to Washington, which is sweet,” he said.

The national award winning Troop 383 was formed in December, 2010 and is within the Nishnabec District of the Calumet Council of Boy Scouts. Further information about the troop is available by sending an email to orlandtroop383@gmail.com.