As the first snow forecasts flicker into view, Barrington is gearing up for a pair of holiday traditions with a purpose: delivering cheer—and tangible support—to children in foster care across Illinois. Let It Be Us, the Barrington-based child welfare nonprofit, will host its annual Toy Drive on December 11–12 in town, followed by an adults-only gingerbread house fundraiser on December 4 at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook, with proceeds fueling year-round programs that help children find permanent homes, according to Let It Be Us.

How the Events Work

The Toy Drive invites neighbors to drop off new, unwrapped gifts that will be distributed to children and teens in foster care. The collection takes place December 11 and 12 at Let It Be Us’ headquarters in Barrington, the organization said, adding that monetary contributions can also be made to support gift purchases for kids who might otherwise be missed, according to Let It Be Us.

Three nights earlier, on December 4, the nonprofit’s Candy Cottage for a Cause: Gingerbread Holiday Fundraiser will gather supporters at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook. The festive evening features gingerbread house decorating led by a professional pastry artist, seasonal refreshments, and ticketed admission, with funds directed to programs that help children and teens in foster care find permanent, loving homes, according to Let It Be Us.

What the Numbers Show

The scale of need is sobering. As of January 2025, Illinois’ child welfare system had 18,129 children under the care of the state, including thousands in foster and relative placements, according to data summarized by KelleyKronenberg. National figures underscore the challenge: in 2023, there were 527,180 children in foster care across the US, with 19,387 in Illinois, according to USAFacts.

Age matters when planning a drive. The median age of children in Illinois foster care is seven, and about 17% spend three to four years in the system—data points that can guide toy selection and teen-focused gift cards, according to FosterUSKids.

Equity matters, too. In Cook County, Black youth account for over 70% of those involved in the child welfare system, while representing just 23% of the county’s population; more than 4,000 Black children were in foster care as of February 2022, according to WTTW. Those disparities highlight why outreach and distribution must reach communities most impacted.

Why It Matters Here

Let It Be Us works in partnership with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to connect licensed foster parents with children who are legally available for adoption, with a focus on sibling groups and youth with specialized needs—work the organization frames as improving permanency and stability for children statewide, according to Let It Be Us.

“Our mission has always been to create innovative solutions that improve the futures of waiting children,” said Dr. Susan McConnell, Executive Director of Let It Be Us. “Events like the Toy Drive and Candy Cottage for a Cause not only raise awareness but also directly support our work to ensure every child in Illinois foster care has the opportunity to grow up in a loving, permanent home.” The quote was provided by Let It Be Us.

For Barrington and Oak Brook neighbors, that mission is tangible: one event in the heart of town, the other a short drive away, both designed to translate holiday generosity into year-round support.

Recommendations from the Briefing

A synthesis of demographic data and fundraising research suggests several steps that could strengthen transparency and impact this season: publish a clear distribution plan by age and need; set and report measurable fundraising targets; and pair urgency with success stories to boost engagement and average gifts. These recommended practices are informed by child welfare statistics from KelleyKronenberg, USAFacts, and FosterUSKids, equity insights from WTTW, and fundraising research on message framing from arXiv.

Ways to Help

The briefing recommends practical, local actions Barrington-area residents can take beyond attending the two events:

  • Volunteer for collection and sorting shifts during the Toy Drive to speed timely distribution.
  • Host drop-off points at libraries, houses of worship, schools, or businesses to broaden reach.
  • Sponsor tickets or a table at the Oak Brook fundraiser to underwrite costs and increase net proceeds.
  • Run a mini-drive focused on teens—think gift cards, winter accessories, journals, and art supplies.
  • Share event details on neighborhood social media with clear wish lists and impact notes.
  • Explore fostering or adoption; consider hosting an information session with DCFS partners.

These engagement options are drawn from the synthesized community engagement recommendations and aligned with demographic needs identified by KelleyKronenberg and WTTW.

Information Gaps to Watch—and How to Close Them

An analysis of the announcement identifies a few gaps: no published distribution plan for donated toys; no stated fundraising targets or commitment to post-event reporting; and limited disclosure of partner roles and sponsors. These are common risks that can dampen donor confidence or lead to mismatches—particularly for teens, who are frequently under-served in seasonal drives. Recommended mitigations include publishing age- and needs-based distribution guidance, setting clear financial and in-kind goals, clarifying partnerships, and issuing a post-event summary with metrics such as number of children served. This assessment is based on the organizers’ announcement and demographic context from Let It Be Us, USAFacts, FosterUSKids, and KelleyKronenberg.

The holidays are a sprint, but the need lasts all year. With Barrington as a collection hub and Oak Brook hosting a night of gingerbread-and-giving, neighbors have two concrete ways to show up for children in care. Event details, donation options, and ticket information are available from Let It Be Us, which will channel local generosity into gifts today and permanency for tomorrow.