The WGN Morning News Drive-Thru Toy Drive will be celebrating its 10th year; its third tied to Jennifer Hudson. Starting at 5am, this four-hour event on Wednesday, December 19, features carolers, Santa, holiday fun, and an appearance by Jennifer Hudson.  WGN-TV is located at 2501 W. Bradley Place, Chicago, IL 60618.

Last year, viewers and companies drove through to drop off a record sum of toys …over 25,000!  This year, WGN-TV will hold multiple satellite toy drives prior to the December 19 toy drive.

Around Town will showcase drop-off partners and their special offers for viewers who drop off new, unwrapped toys on the following dates:

• November 23, 2012: ABT Electronics in Glenview, IL – From November 17 – December 17, donors will receive a $20 ABT voucher given with a donation of a new, unwrapped toy (donated toy must be valued at $20 or more; while supplies last). http://abtelectronics.com
• November 30, 2012: Chicago Cubs Charities – Get one free skate pass at the Rink at Wrigley (skate rental not included; while supplies last). Tune in to WGN’s Morning Show for a live broadcast from Wrigley Field to kick off the WGN Morning News Drive-Thru Toy Drive.  The Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony will kick off at 5:00 pm under the famed Wrigley Field marquee.
• December 7, 2012: The Hair Cuttery located at Courtesy Plaza, 5160 So. Pulaski Road – Receive a coupon for a free shampoo, hair-cut and blow dry (while supplies last) to anyone who donates a toy at the Hair Cuttery location listed from Friday, December 7th through Friday, December 14th. The coupons are valid at any Hair Cuttery. http://haircuttery.com/
• December 14, 2012: Hollywood Palms in Naperville and Hollywood Boulevard in Woodridge, IL – Get a Free Movie Pass good for two people at any Hollywood location and exclusive “Hobbit” ornament (while supplies last; restrictions may apply). http://atriptothemovies.com

Other partners include:

• Feldco Windows, Siding and Doors — Will give each donor a $100 gift card towards Feldco products when donors drop off a toy at any of their Feldco locations.  http://4feldco.com 
• Bob Rohrman – Toy Drop off locales include Schaumburg Honda, Schaumburg Ford, Arlington Nissan,
  Gurnee Volkswagen, and Oak Brook Toyota in Westmont.
• The law offices of Polsinelli & Shughart with community partner Presence Healthcare. Drop off toys at
  7447 W. Talcott Ave, Chicago, 60631.
• The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Rockettes will be LIVE at the Toy Drive on December 19.

All toys will be donated to Jennifer Hudson’s Julian D. King Gift Foundation and will be dispersed to children at a location TBD.  (As in the past, in order to receive any toys, proof of low income must be provided; ie: medical card). Jennifer Hudson’s Julian D. King Gift Foundation is named in honor of the singer-actress’s nephew Julian King. The specific purpose of the Foundation is to help provide holiday toys to needy children in Chicago.