Hard Rock Casino Rockford donates $2,500 to local Toys for Tots program

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Hard Rock Casino Rockford on Friday delivered a $2,500 check to Toys for Tots, the latest to benefit from its monthly gift-giving to local charities and nonprofits.

The money comes from uncashed vouchers that casino patrons drop in a donation box, along with additional funds from Hard Rock. That money goes to a different local organization each month, with some of the recent benefactors being Rock River Valley Blood Center, Ethnic Heritage Museum, Northwest Community Center, Nicholas Ritschel Foundation, and the Rockford Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation.

“Not only does it demonstrate our commitment to the community, we hope to inspire similar within the community because we absolutely believe goodness builds on goodness,” said Steve Platcow, director of marketing for Hard Rock Casino Rockford.

Toys for Tots is a Marine Corps Reserve program that provides new, unwrapped toys to children in need during the holidays. Fundraising to support the program goes year-round.

“Hard Rock Casino Rockford is very happy to support a number of causes in the community,” Platcow said. “Toys for Tots is such a wonderful way to have children and families have wonderful holiday seasons.”

Last year, about 5,150 children were supported with more than 15,600 toys, according to the Toys for Tots website. The local chapter serves Winnebago, Boone and Ogle counties. In addition to toys, the organization provides families with books, arts supplies and other stocking stuffers.

“When we fill the bags for the families they’re going to get a couple toys, they’re going to get a book, they’re going to get some art/craft stuff, comic books or coloring books, puzzles,” said Bruce Giersch, a Marine veteran who served in Vietnam and is the Toys for Tots coordinator for Stephenson, Winnebago and Boone counties. “They get quite a bit in there and then they get a handful of stocking stuffers. … Some of the kids get a kick out of the little stuff more than the bigger stuff.”

Toys for Tots distributes the gifts in a variety of ways, including the annual Rockford airport giveaway with appearances from Santa Claus.

“You get to see the kids faces when they see Santa, when they open their presents,” Giersch said. “When you get to see the kids and the smiles on their faces, that’s what makes you feel real good.”

How to help

To donate to Toys for Tots, or to request a toy, visit the local page of its website HERE.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas