Movie-goers are asked to bring New Toy to benefit 10-year-old Philanthropist
Samuel Love’s Toy Drive
Chicago (Dec. 10, 2013) – Chatham 14 Theaters is getting into the holiday spirit by treating its customers to an afternoon extravaganza, complete with free movies, local political stars, and a special appearance by a fourth-grade dynamo who’s collecting toys for his own foundation!
The holiday party is taking place Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby of Chatham 14 Theaters, located at 210 West 87th Street on the South Side of Chicago.
Theater managers are offering free admission to “The Polar Express” or “Despicable 2” movies with the donation of a non-perishable food item. The theater is also planning to give away a free large popcorn in return for a new unwrapped toy to benefit 10-year-old philanthropist Samuel Love’s Sam and Santa’s Toy Drive. Movies will begin at noon.
Plus, a Santa will be on-site to greet children, and a bike raffle will be held immediately prior to the movie screenings.
And as a special treat for the adults, Alderman Howard Brookins and Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer will also be in attendance to watch one of the movies with their constituents.
Venisha White-Johnson, director of operations and community relations for Chatham 14 Theaters, says that the holiday party is a representation of the movie house’s appreciation for their dedicated customers, and a great way to get everyone in the holiday mood.
“This holiday party is a labor of love for us. It’s a way for us to show that we appreciate our customers for choosing to stay in their own neighborhood for large-screen movie entertainment,” according to White-Johnson. “We could have simply offered our customers discounted admission to a film, but this way we can say thank you in a much more festive and genuine fashion.”
Sam and Santa’s Toy Drive – “If I Can Help Somebody Foundation”
One of the high points of the theater’s holiday party will be the appearance of Samuel Love, the 10-year-old Beasley Academy Center student who made headlines last year as a third-grader by organizing his own toy drive and collecting 800 toys for the young victims of Hurricane Sandy.
He also received $3,000 worth of educational material from LeapFrog.
Sam says he was inspired to start the toy drive after seeing the televised devastation of the East Coast.
“I was planning on having a regular holiday party when I saw on the news what happened to the victims of Hurricane Sandy, and I just wanted to help somebody other than myself,” says Sam, who is assisted by his parents, Victor and Evette Love, and other family members.
Sam says his most impressive gift last year was mailed to him by a 7-year-old boy from Naperville who wrote him a thoughtful letter, and included $100 in gift cards from Toys R Us.
This year Sam hopes to collect 2,000 toys for storm victims in Washington, Ill.; Lyons, Colo.; and Little Axe, Okla. So far the young gift organizer has collected more than 1,200 toys, with MJ Holding toy distributor donating 1,000 items. He has also collected about $700 in gift cards.
In addition to Chatham 14 Theaters, donations to Sam’s toy drive can also be brought to his grandmother’s restaurant, Captain Hard Times, located at 436 East 79th St.; Derrick Taylor’s McDonald’s at 371 East 79th Street; and to Sam’s school. Toys will be collected until Wednesday, Dec. 18.
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