CARBONDALE, Ill. (Heartland News) - The 25th annual Community Christmas Store opens for Carbondale residents starting on December 7.
According to the Carbondale Police Department, the program benefits families with children from ages 1 year old to 10 years old, and who are not receiving gifts from other agencies.
The store is located at the police department.
Organizers say parents who sign up for the program can stop by to shop for new toys for their children. Parents will also be gifted a new coat and a new pair of shoes for their children.
All items in the store are bought through donations to the program and through the coat drive at SIU basketball games.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to the police department, the SIU Athletics Department will have donation boxes at every home basketball game this season to collect the coats. Any size winter coat is appreciated.
To sign up for the program, you can contact the community service officers at 618-457-3200, ext. 455 starting on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Any person or business interested in contributing to the program can contact Elizabeth Sears at 618-457-3200, ext. 447.
Copyright 2026 Heartland News. All rights reserved.