Saint Patrick High School collected eight full boxes of toys during their annual Walter and Connie Payton Foundation Toy Drive. Toys were collected at Saint Patrick from students, faculty and st75, whiaff. The school’s annual “Dinner With the Deans” raffle netted $6ch was used to purchase additional toys for the drive.

Saint Patrick has earned the “Legacy of Sweetness” Giving Back Award, given to the school that collected the most filled boxes of toys, each of the last two years. In recognition of this honor, the Payton Foundation donated a combination TV/VCR/DVD to Saint Patrick. Both teachers and students have been able to utilize this piece 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. This year the Payton Foundation will also help provide for many children effected by Hurricane Katrina.

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.