Samuel Love, an 11-year-old Beasley Elementary School student, is launching a tornado relief toy drive for youth in Fairdale, Kirkland, Rochelle and Belvidere. Love will unveil the toy drive April 17 at a press conference on the second floor of city hall.

“This is personal. It’s personal because those tiny towns are our neighbors and when they hurt, we hurt. In previous years, I’ve always given relief packages to people living in different states,” Love said.

Three years ago, the fifth grader launched the Sam and Santa Disaster Relief Christmas Toy Drive for children who were victims of natural disasters. He called for unity among Chicagoans in helping tornado-stricken towns by donating toys for children.

"Sam Love is a testament of our youth’s power and voice. I am proud of his commitment to helping young disaster victims,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), who represents the 3rd Senate District where Sam attends school.

“I am Chicago and we are one Illinois. Please help me give toys and pets to kids that have nothing now,” Sam said.

Sam’s father, Victor Love, said his son is very serious about helping children who have literally lost everything.

“These are our neighbors, and we are going to help them as much as we can.”

The toy drive will end May 24.

New, unwrapped toys can be brought to Josephine’s (Capt. Hard Times) Restaurant, 436 E. 79th St., Beasley Elementary School, 5255 S. State St., or his partner, the Studio Movie Grill Chatham Theater, 210 W. 87th St.