Tim Corbett: Bringing Joy to Children in Need

When Tim Corbett started planning for his Eagle Scout project, he didn’t have to think too hard to come up with an idea that would help kids in need.

Corbett, 13, had experience making donations to the Toy Box Connection, a nonprofit that collects toys and other items for children in need.

The Scout, who is a member of Boy Scout Troop 107 from , decided that for his Eagle Scout project he would collect as many toys as possible to donate to the Toy Box Connection, which is based in Orland Park.

“I enjoy being in the presence of children. I like having little kids as friends because they are fun to be with,” Corbett said. “I hope that the kids are happy because of this. The less fortunate kids may not have recreational items and things to do.”

The toy drive will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at  in Naperville. Corbett chose Safety Town for a few reasons, the main one being that it had the connection to children. His mom Cynthia is also a member of the , which coordinates and provides volunteers for the educational programs at Safety Town.

Corbett is a student at and is an honors student who likes playing basketball and soccer. Doing the work, researching and planning the project has helped keep him motivated, he said. 

Planning for the toy drive began in March. In addition to planning the toy drive, he contacted local media outlets to seek publicity. He also contacted businesses that donated items for the project, including the truck that will haul the toys.

Corbett was so excited about the project that it’s quite possible he will get enough toy donations to fill the truck two times, he said, adding he’s received a lot of e-mails from people who want to donate. Other potential toy donors who were going to be on vacation asked if they could leave toys at his home, his mother said. 

Toys that are in good condition will be accepted along with sports equipment, video games and musical instruments.

Corbett said that the Toy Box Connection is in great need of toys because the number of toys it had on hand to donate was depleted because the organization made so many donations to children who were affected by tornadoes. 

On Saturday there will be signs directing residents to donate toys at Safety Town. 

At 13, Corbett is younger than most Boy Scouts who earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Only five percent of scouts earn the Eagle Scout rank, according to the Boy Scouts of America. He was dedicated and said he wanted to work on getting the rank before he went to high school and became busy with other things.

His father Bill has been instrumental in keeping him motivated.

“My whole role is to remove the obstacles out of the way,” his father said. 

During the summer Tim has attended summer camps and camp outs that have allowed him to earn many of the merit badges he has received. And, at those events he has also spent a lot of time with his dad.

“He’s a highly motivated scout and he’s had a fantastic time with it,” Bill Corbett said. “He and I both have. It is the best way to bond. Parents who drop off their kids and leave are really missing out.”

Tim Corbett’s Toy Drive at Safety Town will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Items that will be accepted include: clean working toys, books, complete puzzles and games, video games and systems, sports equipment, musical instruments, Little Tykes, kids bikes and infant toys.