$75,000 Worth of Toys Given to Children at Christmas in Englewood Holiday Toy Give-A-Way
Alderman Latasha Thomas and Mayor Richard M. Daley spread holiday cheer during 13th annual celebration

CHICAGO, IL, December 25, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Christmas in Englewood, Chicago's largest holiday toy give-a-way, celebrated its 13th anniversary by handing over $75,000 worth of toys to children in-need at a holiday celebration hosted by 17th Ward Alderman Latasha R. Thomas on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at Ogden Park in Chicago.

Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley joined Alderman Thomas for the presentation of toys to over 600 children from 220 families from the Englewood community. Grammy-award winning Gospel songwriter/musician/arranger/producer Percy Bady served as special guest host and led the children in several Christmas carols.

"The Annual Christmas in Englewood Toy Give-A-Way has been near-and-dear to my heart since its inception 13 years ago," said Alderman Latasha R. Thomas. "It is so significant because our communities' children receive more than just gifts--they are given hope. To be able to feed the spirits of families outweighs the gift of material things. Thanks to the donations of our valued sponsors, our families will celebrate a Christmas they otherwise may not be able to enjoy. Even in our worsened economic climate committed businesses and individuals have given their hearts to make this event possible...I can't thank them enough."

"It never gets old watching children smile when they receive their gifts," said Larry Huggins, Co-chair of Christmas in Englewood. "My hat goes off to all of our sponsors, who dug deep this year to make sure that not one child was disappointed! In addition, Alderman Thomas should be commended for how hard she works to make Christmas time special in our community."

Dominick's was this year's presenting sponsor, and was joined by our platinum sponsors Wal-Mart and Linn-Mathes.

Other sponsors and contributors include ComEd/Exelon, Moet Hennessey, DC Mad Hatter at Navy Pier, KB Toys, 17th Ward Democratic Organization, Nike, C.R.O.E., Chicago Football Classic, SCR Transportation, QBC Foundation, Granite Development, Midway Wholesaler, ML Properties, State Senator Mattie Hunter, Highland Bank, Riteway-Huggins Construction, II in One Contractors, Waste Management, McHugh Construction, Ozinga Chicago, Tribco Construction, Ray Chinn and Association, Foster Electric Group, Skender Construction, Target Group, Infrastructure Engineer, Brown & Momen, Halsted Retail, REO Movers, E&J Construction, Broadway Construction, Oakley Construction, Cable Communications, Law Office of James Bormes, Walsh Construction, The Grand Room, Powers and Sons Construction, Edon Construction, Franks Masonry, Allpoint Security, We're Cleaning, Incorporated, Velma Butler, Hank Johnson, Rainbow Gal, E.E. Bailey, Duffy Decorating, Wirtz Rental, Allstate, Paula Bank, Taylor Electric Company, Ernest Sawyer Enterprise, Edar Gettleman, Sign-A-Rama and Jewel Construction.

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