CCFD toy drivekicks off
Get into the holiday spirit by dropping off a new toy or gift at any of the city’s fire stations.
The Cape Coral Fire Department recently kicked off its Annual Toy Drive. Organized for over two decades, the drive benefits local children who have special needs, suffer from chronic illnesses such as cancer, are in foster care or have families struggling financially by teaming with area organizations.
Last year, more than 200 children in the community received presents.
“It was over 750 toys,” Andrea Schuch, spokeswoman for the fire department, said.
The CCFD partnered with two charities for 2014.
“We’re working with more charities. So we’re hoping to exceed those numbers this year,” she said.
The organizations include the South West Florida PODS Angels Family Support Group, Donate4kidz Foundation, Candlelighters of Southwest Florida, the Cape Coral Caring Center and local churches.
Organizers are hoping to collect over 1,000 gifts for 300-400 youth.
Schuch noted that all of the donations remain local.
“They stay in Cape Coral,” she said. “When people donate, they’re helping their community.”
Collection boxes have been set up at all of the 10 fire stations in the Cape.
People can drop off new unwrapped toys or gifts until Dec. 20.
Donations for boys and girls, from newborns up to 17 years of age, are needed.
“Anything from learning toys for toddlers, up to games. Games are very popular,” Schuch said. “Even clothes. For the older kids, they like games, as well as arts and crafts, gift cards and toiletry items.”
Gifts for teens are often in short supply.
Some suggestions are makeup, nail polish, body soaps and lotions, and perfume or cologne.
“Any anything popular,” she said, pointing out “Star Wars” and “Frozen.”
Organizers plan to put a gift list online for the public to review.
“I’m starting to put a list on our website when we get some requests,” Schuch said.
She encouraged people to help support the drive.
“You know where your donations go,” Schuch said. “They go to help the community in which you live, these kids you might see out and about.”
Parents can get the whole family involved by having their children pick out the gifts to donate.
“If you do it with your children, it’s a really nice family bonding thing,” she said.
For more information, visit online at: www.capecoral.net/fire.