WRIGLEYVILLE — The family of a boy who drowned more than four years ago is preparing for their annual toy drive in Wrigleyville on Friday.
Since the death of their 5-year-old son Vincent, the Babiarz family have turned their loss into a charitable event to help other children. In collaboration with the Friends of Lakeview Pantry, the Babiarzes are holding the 5th Annual Vincent Babiarz Memorial Toy Drive at Murphy's Bleachers.
"The toy drive is bringing the community together for a good time and a good cause," said Vincent's mother, Danielle Babiarz.
The public fundraiser starts at 7 p.m. and will feature a made-to-order pasta station, raffle prizes and a cover band.
Organizers ask the public to bring an unwrapped, unopened gift for a child or a $10 donation. The memorial toy drive will benefit the Lakeview Pantry and Coat Angels, an organization aimed at providing coats to CPS students.
This will be the Friends of Lakeview Pantry's 17th Toy Drive and the fifth year working with the Babiarz family.
"The toy drive started as a small dinner party at my house and has grown in its 17 years," said Su Bermingham, co-organizer and member of the Friends of Lakeview Pantry. "We approached Danielle five years ago with the idea of redirecting the annual toy drive in Vincent's memory.
Now the toy drive has outgrown Bermingham's house, and, in its 17 years, has managed to provide more than 10,000 gifts to children.
For Babiarz, the memorial toy drive is fitting for her son who, even at a young age, had a charitable spirit.
"Vincent was such a generous, sweet boy," said Babiarz. "Before his death, we would participate in the Friends of Lakeview Pantry toy drive, and Vincent would help choose the toys and even want to pay with his own money. This toy drive could not be any more appropriate way to remember him."
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