On Friday, December 2nd dozens of volunteers gathered at the Bridgeview Community Center to bring the 33rd Annual Bridgeview Chamber of Commerce Holiday Food & Toy Drive to its conclusion. Since late October the Bridgeview Chamber of Commerce had been collecting food and toys at 26 collection sites throughout the Bridgeview area. Eager volunteers worked quickly to unload and sort food and toys to be donated to local area organizations including Summit Seniors, Almost Home, The Mosque Foundation, St. Blase Church, St. Fabian Church, and Arab American Family Services. “This year we have collected over 2,000 pounds of food.” Said the Chamber Vice President Vic Portillo. This year Portillo rented a Uhaul truck to pickup donations from the collection sites and food purchased with donated funds from grocery stores.
The Bridgeview Chamber of Commerce has been holding their annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive for over 30 years including the 2020 and 2021 which were challenging years due to Covid. “The Bridgeview Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all of its collection site participants, volunteers and charitable organizations that helped make this year such a success,” said Bridgview Chamber of Commerce Director Sabrije Sabanoski. “We would also like to give a special thank you to Old National Bank, Zeeco Metals, Baste Financial and Apco Packaging for their generous monetary donations”.
The Bridgeview Chamber of Commerce Annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive aims to provide relief and Holiday cheer for families in Bridgeview and neighboring communities. For more information about the Food & Toy Drive or the Bridgeview Chamber of Commerce you can visit them on Facebook @bridgeviewchamberofcommerceindustry or contact them via email at [email protected]