In a heartwarming ceremony Monday night, the Orland Park Village Board recognized the Toy Box Connection as its Community Organization of the month for May.
Executive Director Michelle Maxia accepted the award on behalf of the non-profit organization and thanked Mayor Jim Dodge and the board of trustees for the recognition.
“We are grateful for this honor and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this community,” she said. “It is a privilege to continue providing toys, books and other resources to children not only in our community but also in neighboring communities.
“Need has no season and we here at Toy Box Connection see that year-round. We continue to bring joy to children weekly as long as we have the support of all of you. To place a toy and a book into the little hands of a child and watch their world light up is the most incredible sight to see. God has called us to this amazing mission and we are privileged to do it.”
Today, that small idea has grown into a regional powerhouse of kindness, headquartered right in the heart of Orland Park.
Trustee Cindy Nelson-Katsenes lauded the organization for its tireless efforts in sourcing and distributing thousands of items to children across the Southland.
“This organization represents the very best of Orland Park,” she said.
The Orland Park headquarters serves as the central hub where volunteers sort donations from local toy drives and school fundraisers. While toys are the foundation, the organization also focuses on books and educational materials to help children keep their minds active.
Maxia expressed her gratitude to the Orland Park community, noting that the foundation’s success is a direct reflection of the village’s generosity.