McHenry Outdoor, Star 105.5 team up for toy drive

LAKEMOOR — The McHenry Outdoor Theater and Star 105.5 are joining forces to help the new Kids in Need Secret Santa program meet demand this holiday season.

On Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, anyone bringing at least one new, unwrapped toy to the theater box office will receive free carload admission to see “Elf,” the 2003 holiday classic featuring Will Ferrell, James Caan and Bob Newhart.

Additionally, Santa is expected to make an appearance Dec. 6. On both evenings, the theater’s popular hot chocolate bar will be available, its dispensers brimming with white chocolate bits, mini marshmallows and peppermint sprinkles.

“Pack up the kids and a new toy and come out for the fun,” said Joe Cicero, president of marketing and promotions at the theater as well as morning Star 105.5 radio show co-host with Tina Bree.

The box office will open at 5:30 p.m. The movie will start at 7:30 p.m. at the theater, 1510 N. Chapel Hill Road, just east of McHenry. Regular late-season carload admission is $15.

Cicero said the theater is teaming up with Star 105.5’s new owners, Connoisseur Media, as well as partnering with several area businesses that are serving as toy drop-off sites, to benefit KIN Secret Santa, formerly Rotary Secret Santa.

Gordon Mays, operations manager – Chicagoland for Connoisseur Media, said it’s an honor to participate.

“We’re thrilled to be part of something that is going to bring real joy,” he said. “We are parents. We know how special it is to see kids light up during the holidays. Teaming up with the McHenry Outdoor Theater to help create a bit of that magic is going to be fun.”

Alicia Wehby, executive director of Kids in Need McHenry County, said she hopes the toy drive is a big success. Already by early November, about 1,700 children were signed up to receive gifts through KIN Secret Santa. The program is open to families with children ages infant to 12 who are not signed up with any other Christmas assistance plan. The deadline for signing up is 6 p.m. Dec. 3. Visit kinsecretsanta.org for more information.

“We’re extremely honored and excited for the drive-in to think of us and to offer these nights for their fans to give back to the kids in our community,” Wehby said. “Star and Joe specifically have always provided such amazing support for us. We’re grateful to see that continue.”

Wehby added that KIN McHenry County has seen a 30 percent increase in need over the past year. The organization assists foster and other families by providing essentials like clothing, bedding, personal care items, school supplies and winter gear.

“We help take these stresses off of families so they can focus on keeping a roof over their head and putting food on the table,” she said.

In addition to Star 105.5 and the Outdoor, Wehby thanked all of the businesses that are promoting awareness of KIN Secret Santa and assisting as toy drop-off sites. As of Nov. 11, these included Martin Chevrolet in Crystal Lake; Coldwell Banker Real Estate in Algonquin and McHenry; Whiskey and Wine, Algonquin; and The Bremer Team – Keller Williams Success Realty, Brunch Café, Meat & Potatoes and HealthMarkets Insurance – Santos Agency, all in McHenry.

Photos by: Joe Cicero | McHenry Outdoor Theater
Written by:  Cynthia Wolf Wolf Wordsmithing