ALGONQUIN – The Meijer shopping center in Algonquin is used to seeing busy shoppers rush through its store, crossing off shopping lists during the holiday season. But on Wednesday, one group of shoppers took some time to buy presents for children in need.

Armed with a $2,000 gift card from Meijer, Buck Vander Leest of the McHenry County Marine Corp Reserve spent Wednesday morning picking out gifts for Toys for Tots, an organization that provides toys for area children in need.

Along with his wife and daughter, Vander Leest pushed several carts up and down aisles, picking up footballs, Nerf guns, LEGOs and other toys for McHenry County kids.