Illinois DCFS teams up with The Toy Foundation and Radio Flyer to make the holidays brighter for Illinois youth in care

CHICAGO, IL - The holidays will be a little brighter this year for 450 children in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services thanks to a generous donation from The Toy Foundation and Radio Flyer.

This week Radio Flyer's iconic red wagons, tricycles, balance bikes and ride-ons will be delivered to families in Cook County; Coles, Macon, McLean and Sangamon counties in the central region; and Effingham, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Massac, Richland, Saline, St. Clair and Williamson counties in the southern region just in time for holiday celebrations.

"I am extremely grateful to The Toy Foundation and Radio Flyer for our continued partnership and their generosity during this holiday season," said Illinois DCFS Acting Director Marc D. Smith. "This year has been like no other, and families may not be able to provide gifts and celebrations that children are used to. This donation will help families ensure our youth know that they are cared for and loved."

"Toy donors like Radio Flyer help make it possible for The Toy Foundation to fulfill our mission of ensuring children everywhere can experience the physical and emotional benefits of play," said Elizabeth Max, senior manager of The Toy Foundation. "Many youth in care have suffered through situations that no child should ever have to endure, and being able to give them a little bit of joy is a truly rewarding experience."

"Radio Flyer is dedicated to giving back to the community and helping those in need," said Mindy Schanzle, marketing and communications lead of Radio Flyer. "We are thrilled to be able to partner with Illinois DCFS to put smiles on the faces of Illinois youth in care this year."

About the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Founded in 1964, DCFS is responsible for protecting children from abuse or neglect by responding to calls received on the Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873). With the goal of keeping children safe, DCFS strengthens and supports families with a wide range of services. When keeping a child safe means removing them from the home, DCFS makes every effort to reunite them with their family. When the best interest of the child makes this impossible, DCFS is committed to pursuing adoption by loving families to provide children with a safe and permanent home. DCFS is also responsible for licensing and monitoring of all Illinois child welfare agencies.

About The Toy Foundation The Toy Foundation (TTF) is a 501(c)3 children's charity whose mission is to provide joy and comfort to children in need through the experience of toys and play. TTF serves children who are coping with serious illness, enduring temporary home placements in the foster care system, suffering from abuse or neglect, experiencing separation from a deployed military parent or dealing with devastating natural disasters. To date, TTF's signature program, The Toy Bank, has provided more than $200 million in toys to over 25 million children in need around the globe, thanks to its generous toy donors.

About Radio Flyer Radio Flyer, Inc., maker of the famous and beloved Little Red Wagon™ is the world's leading producer of wagons, tricycles, pre-school scooters and other ride-ons. Radio Flyer has more than 100 award-winning products available in 25 countries. Since 1917, the family-owned company has created icons of childhood, building a legacy of high quality, timeless and innovative toys that spark the imagination and inspire outdoor, active play. Radio Flyer wheels have carried, hauled and fueled more kids' play and adventures than any other ride on toy.