It’s not too late to give to the Chicago Sun-Times Charity Trust

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Updated: April 25, 2012 7:11PM

At this time of the year, Chicago’s generous spirit shines as bright as Christmas lights.

From the ordinary people who responded to hundreds of “Letters to Santa” through the Chicago Sun-Times Charity Trust’s annual program to the elected officials and business leaders who personally shopped to fulfill a family’s wish list, Chicagoans have opened their hearts and their wallets despite the harsh economic times.

In 1997, when Larry Huggins, president of Riteway-Huggins Construction Services, started soliciting his associates to participate in a toy giveaway in the Englewood area, he managed to raise $5,000.

This year, Huggins along with other companies in the construction trade, including A. Finkl & Sons and Midway Wholesalers President Everett Rand, and his brother, Tim, raised $65,000.

The donors are too numerous to mention here but include sports figures, business owners, and elected officials.

“People actually cry. They tell you this is the best Christmas they ever had because they are able to do some things for their kids that they would not have been able to do,” Huggins told me.

Over the past 14 years, Huggins has helped raise more than $1 million for the toy giveaway that was held in the Englewood community.

This year the toy drive targeted needy families in the 8th and the 34th wards, where Michelle Harris and Carrie Austin, respectively, are aldermen.

Each alderman identified 100 families who were invited to the giveaway hosted by A. Finkl & Sons’ South Side plant.

“What makes this so enjoyable is the participation of the aldermen and business people that actually come out and help give away these gifts to the kids. I saw the aldermen buying things and putting them in the cart,” Huggins said.

All of the kids who receive gifts aren’t what most of us describe as “needy” kids. But all kids should experience the magic of the season.

For instance, members of the “E! Team Innovators” were given laptops at Saturday’s event, thanks to the toy drive.

All of the kids on the team live in Englewood. Two weeks ago, they surprised everyone by winning a regional robot building and operation competition.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush put the team together in September in an effort to get more youngsters in his district involved in science, technology and math. The team made it to the finals and lost in the third round.

“We are on a mission to change the lives of children and to open up the world of science, technology and math to inner city youth,” Rush said in an e-mail.

“This can only happen if there are adults who really care. While a laptop computer might be taken for granted by some young people, for others it’s a life-changing gift that enables them to compete in an increasingly technology and information driven world.”

Kind-hearted people have organized similar toy drives across the city.

It is not too late to catch this spirit.

The Chicago Sun-Times Charitable Trust is still accepting monetary donations that will be used to honor last-minute requests.

To help a child in need, donate to the Sun-Times’ Empty Stocking Fund by going to suntimes.com/santa or by sending a check or money order made out to Chicago Sun-Times Charity Trust to: Sun-Times Season of Sharing, P.O. Box 3596, Chicago, IL 60654.

I’m grateful to all of you who have given.

You are witnesses that there is a reason for the season.