Desperately seeking Santas: United Way launches 30th annual holiday toy drive
No matter how many times you experience it, there’s nothing like the joy of seeing a lovingly wrapped present waiting for you under a decoration-laden tree on Christmas morning.
But for some children in Palm Beach County, that’s the stuff of dreams, and dreams only.
And yet, for 30 years now, the residents of Palm Beach have helped make those dreams real through the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s holiday toy drive.
“The annual toy drive is a simple and meaningful way to give back this holiday season,” Board Chairman Bill Tiefel said in a prepared statement. “We hope for a wonderful turnout of toys and donations so we can once again spread joy and hope to children in need in our community.”
The drive begins today and runs through Dec. 3.
New, unwrapped toys can be delivered to Fire Station Station 1, 355 S. County Road; Fire Station 3, 2185 S. Ocean Blvd.; Findlay Galleries, 165 Worth Ave.; the United Way office, 44 Cocoanut Row; or Field of Greens locations throughout Palm Beach County.
More: United Way collects $24K, enough toys for six area charities
Last year, the toy drive collected hundreds of toys and more than $24,000 in tax-deductible donations.
The toys will go to children who are receiving services from the United Way’s partner agencies for the drive. This year, the Center for Family Services; Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies; HomeSafe; and the Milagro Center are taking part in the drive.
“We service a community that is very vulnerable, where most of our parents and students live below the poverty line,” said Michael Mapp, program director of the Delray Beach-based Milagro Center, in a prepared statement. “During the holidays, many of our families choose to not celebrate the season because of the extra costs associated with securing gifts for their families. With your support, we can ensure that every student in our program is able to receive a gift this year.”
Milagro Center will distribute toys to at-risk youth who attend their after-school programs in Delray Beach. HomeSafe will distribute toys at a holiday party for children and families who are victims of domestic violence, while Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies will provide toys to teen moms and pregnant women and their families.
The Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, founded in 1961, has served more than 1 million clients and operates eight different programs, the center says. Its mission is to strengthen individuals and families through behavioral health services and education, offering individual and family counseling, programs for pregnant women, help for people recovering from addiction and children who have experienced trauma.
“Many of our families are struggling financially, and will continue to struggle throughout the holiday season,” CEO Todd L’Herrou said in a prepared statement. About 100 parents and guardians will choose which gifts to take home for their children, he said. “This helps them feel empowered and excited about the holiday, and decreases stress.”
Community partners for the drive include Field of Greens, Findlay Galleries, First Horizon, Palm Beach Flagler Rotary Club, Palm Beach Daily News, Town of Palm Beach Fire Rescue and Worth Avenue Association.
If procuring toys isn’t feasible, cash and check donations are also accepted. Donors can contribute online at www.palmbeachunitedway.org/toy-drive or send a check. Checks should be made payable to Town of Palm Beach United Way, with “Toy Drive” in the memo and mailed to the United Way office at 44 Cocoanut Row, Suite M201, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
After all, it's all about that great Christmas morning feeling.
“Having toys would allow entire families to get a gift for the holiday season, and provide a smile on the face of each child,” L’Herrou said.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Annual United Way holiday toy drive returns for 30th year
