Where to drop off new, unwrapped gifts in Broward, Palm Beach
If you believe it’s better to give than receive, organizations in Broward and Palm Beach counties are looking for help to ensure children have gifts to unwrap this holiday season. From pulling a tag from the Salvation Army Angel Tree to partying at drag brunch, there are a variety of options to help put a toy in a child’s hands. The best part? There’s no wrapping required.
Secret Santas, ongoing through Dec. 24. Changing Lives of Boca Raton Inc. is in need of donations for its second annual Secret Santa event from 9 a.m. to noon at First United Methodist Church, 625 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. Wish lists have the person’s name, age, gender and sizes. Gifts may consist of essential items like winter clothing, backpacks, new underwear, socks, toiletries, clothing and shoes. To participate, email info@changinglives. me or call 561-961-4635.
The Casino @ Dania Beach,
ongoing through midnight Dec. 18. Toys are being collected for churches and charities in the city of Dania Beach. Casino guests who donate a new, unwrapped gift will receive $10 in Free Play in exchange. The Casino @ Dania Beach is at 301 E. Dania Beach Blvd. Call 954-920-1511 or visit casinodaniabeach.com.
Craig Zinn Automotive Group toy collection,
ongoing through Dec. 20. Drop off new, unwrapped children’s toys to benefit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital at Acura of Pembroke Pines, 15601 Pines Blvd., (9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; Lexus of North Miami, 14100 Biscayne Blvd. (9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday); Lexus of Pembroke Pines, 16150 Pines Blvd. (9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; Subaru of Pembroke Pines, 16100 Pines Blvd. (9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday); and Toyota of Hollywood, 1841 N. State Road 7 (8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday). Visit czgroup.com.
Holly Jolly Holiday Toy Drive, Dec. 19. Ocean Walk, beachfront dining and shopping at 2401 N. Ocean Ave., in Singer Island, will host Riviera Beach Mayor Ronnie Felder’s toy drive this year. Residents are invited to attend an event from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for music and light bites. Participants can drop-off wrapped or unwrapped gifts to boxes at the following stores on site: Rock Fitness, Mulligan’s Beach House, Johnny Longboats, Two Drunken Goats, Castaway’s Craft Beer & Pizza and WINGS. Families will also be able to sign-up as recipients if they are not pre-registered. They will receive a call 24-48 hours in advance for toy pick-up.
The 31st annual Delray Beach Holiday Toy Drive,
ongoing. Drop off new, unwrapped toys for ages 5-16 (no guns) at Delray Beach Police Department, 300 W. Atlantic Ave., or any Delray Beach Fire Rescue Station. To send a check to purchase a toy, make them payable to Delray Citizens for Delray Police, 300 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach FL 33444 and write “toy drive” in the memo portion. Call Lt. Rodney Stevenson at 561-243-7859.
Town of Davie Toy Drive, ongoing through Dec. 19. New, unwrapped toys collected will be allocated to over 300 children in need within Davie. Bring toys in their original packaging suitable for children ages 0-12 and teens 13-18 Monday through Friday to Town Hall, 6591 Orange Drive (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Pine Island Multipurpose Center, 3801 S. Pine Island Road (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Aquatic and Fitness Center, 3800 SW 92nd Ave. (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Police Department, 1230 S. Nob Hill Road (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Fire Rescue Administration, 6901 Orange Drive (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or Saturday and Sunday to the Aquatic and Fitness Center, 3800 SW 92nd Ave. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Toys for Tots fundraiser, ongoing through December. Football legend Joe Namath is donating an autographed New York Jets jersey to help raise funds for Toys for Tots. Guests at Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street, 1116 Love St., in Jupiter can purchase a $5 ticket for a chance to win the jersey. The winner will be chosen on Dec. 21. All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to Toys for Tots. Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street will also serve as a toy drop location for Toys for Tots.
Shots for Tots Holiday Party & Toy Drive,
Dec. 16-18. Batch Hospitality is hosting a toy drive at all of its locations to benefit the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Patches PPEC nursing center: 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at Batch Gastropub: Miami, 30 SW 12th St.; 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at Batch Gastropub: Delray, 14813 Lyons Road; and noon Dec. 18 at Batch New Southern Kitchen & Tap: West Palm Beach, 223 Clematis St. Bring in any new, unwrapped toy for a baby, child or teen, and Batch will offer a free shot.
Little Smiles 12th annual Toy Drive, ongoing through Dec. 25. Little Smiles is collecting toys for newborns through age 18. The gifts will be distributed to collection centers for families in need to pick up and directly to Little Smiles’ 32 pediatric partners that include hospitals with children fighting life-threatening illnesses, medical day care centers, shelters, foster care homes and medical support facilities. Donate by texting LITTLESMILES to 44321, shop online from the Amazon Wishlist, drop off toys at the Little Smiles’ North Pole at Harbourside Place in Jupiter, or in locations throughout Palm Beach County. To find locations or make a donation, visit littlesmilesfl.org.
Flagler’s Spirit Holiday Toy Drive,
Dec. 5-19. The Flagler Museum’s Spirit team, together with Children & Family Charity, Inc., a community partner of the School District of Palm Beach County, is hosting a holiday toy drive at the museum, 1 Whitehall Way, in Palm Beach during regular museum hours. Donations ideas include toys, books, sporting goods, clothing and accessories, and gift cards to popular chain stores and restaurants. All donations will be delivered to local, disadvantaged families with school-age children and teens.
GBDC Entrepreneurship Institute Holiday Gift Drive,
1-9 p.m. Dec. 18. Volunteers are needed for a holiday gift drive and movie for the homeless and for teens ages 13-18 in Boynton Beach. Visit amzn.to/3oihPwQ to purchase gifts off their Amazon wish list or email info@gbdcei.com to volunteer in person.
Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office Toy Drive, ongoing through Dec. 22. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off inside any of four election offices between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. for Little Smiles of Palm Beach County: Main Office, 240 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach; North County Branch Office at Northeast County Courthouse, 3188 PGA Blvd., Room #2401, Palm Beach Gardens; South County Branch Office at Southeast PBC Administrative Complex, 345 S. Congress Ave., Room #103, Delray Beach; West County Branch Office at West County Office Building, 2976 State Road #15, second floor, Belle Glade.