Saint Patrick High School has earned their fourth consecutive “Legacy of Sweetness” Giving Back Award, from the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation. The award is given to the school that collected the most filled boxes of toys. Saint Patrick collected twelve full boxes of toys during their annual Payton Foundation Toy Drive. Toys were collected at Saint Patrick from students, faculty and staff. The school’s annual “Dinner With the Deans” raffle netted $770, which was used to purchase additional toys for the drive.

In recognition of this honor, the Payton Foundation has donated a combination TV/VCR/DVD to Saint Patrick each of the last three years. Both teachers and students have been able to utilize these pieces of equipment in the school’s library.

Walter started his foundation, the Walter Payton Foundation, many years ago when he saw a need among the children in the state of Illinois who were neglected and abused. He joined up with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services hoping to make a difference in the lives of these children. In doing this, he initiated his Holiday Giving Program, which provides gifts during the holiday season for these thousands of children. He believed that by giving them new toys they would feel special, and it would inspire hope in their very fragile lives.

For more information on the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, and their Holiday Giving Program, please visit their website at www.payton34.com or phone (847) 605-0034.