Toy and Coat Drives 2026: Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, Palatine, and Wheeling

Arlington Heights

Community Food Drive · Village of Arlington Heights · last day Wed Nov 18 · drop off: Village Hall (33 S. Arlington Heights Rd.), Public Works (222 N. Ridge Ave.), Senior Center (1801 W. Central Rd.) · source
Arlington Heights Turkey Trot (runs for the Wheeling Township Food Pantry) · Arlington Heights Turkey Trot · last day Thu Nov 26 · drop off: Thanksgiving morning 5K at South Middle School, 9:00 AM; entry fees and donations support the Wheeling Township Food Pantry · source

Des Plaines

No 2026 drive announced yet; we check the village’s news daily. Des Plaines Park District · City of Des Plaines

Elk Grove Village

No 2026 drive announced yet; we check the village’s news daily. Elk Grove Park District · Village of Elk Grove Village

Mount Prospect

No 2026 drive announced yet; we check the village’s news daily. Mount Prospect Park District · Village of Mount Prospect

Palatine

Sat Nov 21 Helping Hands Pantry Food Drive at Holiday Tree Lighting 📅 Google Calendar

Wheeling

No 2026 drive announced yet; we check the village’s news daily. Wheeling Park District · Village of Wheeling

Drives and donation events come from each town’s own pages and calendars and link to the source. A drive disappears after its last day. Check the source for what is accepted and the drop-off hours.

🤝 Volunteer with your kids

Des Plaines · Thu Nov 19 Liberation Bookmarks 📅 Google Calendar
Mount Prospect · Fri Nov 20 Teen Volunteering 📅 Google Calendar
Des Plaines · Thu Dec 3 Happy Notes 📅 Google Calendar
Wheeling · Mon Dec 7 High School Volunteer Kits 📅 Google Calendar
Des Plaines · Sat Dec 12 Service Hour Drop In 📅 Google Calendar
Mount Prospect · Mon Dec 14 Teen Volunteering 📅 Google Calendar
Des Plaines · Wed Dec 16 Liberation Bookmarks 📅 Google Calendar
Mount Prospect · Fri Dec 18 Teen Volunteering 📅 Google Calendar

Sessions the libraries and park districts list as volunteering or service hours. Check each listing for age limits and sign-up.

🩸 Blood drives (donors 16+; check the source for age rules)

Des Plaines · Tue Dec 15 City of Des Plaines Blood Drive 📅 Google Calendar

Just outside our towns: giving (within ten miles)

Franklin Park · Mon Nov 23 · 5:30 - 6 PM CPKC Holiday Train 📅 Google Calendar South side of the Ruby Street railway crossing, north of Franklin Avenue ≈ 7 mi from Des Plaines Source: Fox 32 Chicago, Oct 28, 2026 Free; the tour collects for local food banks - check CPKC's page for what to bring.

Tree lightings & other holiday events → · Santa near you →