The Buffalo Grove Police Department is hosting charitable drives aimed at benefiting area residents and community organizations in the region, collecting candy, coats and toys.
The Halloween candy collection took place earlier this month, according to the village electronic newsletter, where people were encouraged to donate leftover candy. It was collected Nov. 1 to Nov. 7 in the lobby of the police department.
Crime Prevention Officer Amy Cholewa said approximately 200 pounds of candy was collected and given to Gratitude Generation, an organization that provides community service opportunities for children and teens.
A winter coat drive is underway and set to run until March 1, according to a newsletter announcement. Gently used winter coats and other winter wear can be dropped off at the police station lobby.
Officials explained that coats and winter wear collected will be given to Midwest Veterans Closet, an organization that assists active-duty service military, veterans and families, according to its website.
Cholewa said hundreds of coats and winter gear items are usually collected each year as part of the drive, which has been going on since 2020.
“We have collected for them for the past several years now and Midwest Veterans Closet is a great, nonprofit organization which relies on the generosity of the area communities to keep its doors open to serve others,” said Cholewa.
And, in time for the Christmas holiday season, the police department is also collecting toys as part of the U.S. Marine Corps “Toys For Tots” annual fundraiser. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off in the police department lobby through Dec. 10.
Joseph Arnone is a freelancer.