Thousands of needy Chicago kids will have a merry Christmas after all.
After a local Toys for Tots group said a former volunteer may have embezzled $25,000 from the charity, an anonymous donor came forward with a $25,000 check to make up the difference.
The generous donor wants to remain anonymous, but organizers told the Chicago Sun-Times he made the donation in the name of Chicago Bears great Sid Luckman.
It's still unknown what happened to the original cash, but police continue to investigate. The thousands represent about a year of donations and are used to pay for road closures during the annual Toys for Tots motorcycle parade and toy rally down Western Avenue.
The parade has collected donations for the past three decades, trying to help needy children around the holiday. But with donations down this year, Toys for Tots organizers said they couldn't afford to buy toys to make up for the loss.
That all changed Tuesday.
Besides the $25,000, others made cash donations totaling $5,000 and toys were brought to the Bridgeview warehouse throughout the day.
Toys for Tots treasurer Janet Malpede called the response "absolutely amazing."
Donations of toys or money can still be made online at ChicagolandTFT.org.
