'Every kid deserves a smile': Panama City toy drive returns to spread holiday cheer

Nathan Cobb, The News Herald
·2 min read
Until Dec. 12, the Panama City Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped gifts for children up to 18 years old as part of the Fire Sleigh Toy Drive.
Until Dec. 12, the Panama City Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped gifts for children up to 18 years old as part of the Fire Sleigh Toy Drive.

PANAMA CITY — Local first responders are working to spread holiday cheer to children in need.

Until Dec. 12, the Panama City Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped gifts for children up to 18 years old as part of the annual Fire Sleigh Toy Drive.

The drive was created in 2019 by Viviana Besteiro, a firefighter for the department.

"I think it's very welcoming, (and) it does make me very happy," Besteiro said of the toy drive. "What makes me happy is seeing the smile on these kids' faces. They're so grateful. It's Christmas (time), and every kid deserves a smile."

Another local toy drive: 'Build that positive relationship': Cops 'n Kids event returns to Panama City Beach

More: It's Christmas in July! McKenzie Park market teams up with Stuff the Bus for Saturday event

Besteiro started the local drive after she moved to the area in 2018 from Miami, where she oversaw a similar holiday effort. Besteiro said she partners with a different group or nonprofit organization every year to distribute the gifts to select underprivileged children.

This year, the drive has partnered with Twin Oaks Community Services, a nonprofit organization in Bristol that supports children who are victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment.

"When I moved here, I figured (since) I did this (in South Florida), why not do this here?" Besteiro said. "I figured if I don't start it, who else will? ... My goal is to do it every year and make it bigger and better every year as I go."

Donations for the Fire Sleigh Toy Drive can be made until Dec. 12 to Panama City Fire Stations 1 and 2
Donations for the Fire Sleigh Toy Drive can be made until Dec. 12 to Panama City Fire Stations 1 and 2

Besteiro said the gifts collected by the fire department will be delivered sometime in December to the organization, which, with the help of local first responders, will then distribute them to about 150 children associated with the group.

Donations for the Fire Sleigh Toy Drive can be made until Dec. 12 to Panama City Fire Stations 1 and 2, which are located at 600 U.S. 98 and 2003 Beck Ave. Gifts must be new and unwrapped.

"I do want to emphasize (the importance of donating gifts for) teens," Besteiro said. "I feel like people forget about the teenagers, and everybody just thinks about the little kids."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Fire Department Fire Sleigh Toy Drive kicks off for 2022