Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Caridad Center toy giveaway allows kids to mark items off wish list
The line of families in need was long outside the Caridad Center in Boynton Beach on Saturday morning, but the toys waiting for them were stacked high.
The free health clinic has been giving out toys for 10 years in a row, gathering bikes, action figures, games, stuffed animals and other toys and school supplies from local businesses holding toy drives and from residents.
About 600 people showed up, but there were thousands of toys waiting for them in big cardboard boxes and in plastic bags.
Most of the families are clients of the center and preregistered for the event months in advance by filling out wish lists for their children ages 1 to 16. But there were many families who showed up after learning about the event only days ago.
Santa was there, sitting under a tent and welcoming toddlers and small children to his lap. And he had plenty of helpers — employees of the center or volunteers who matched the families with their pre-arranged bags. There were also school supplies and clothes available.
“This is awesome,” said Beverly Phoenix, a client of the center. “My baby turned 1 and I haven’t worked for a year because of health issues. This allows me to give him a few toys, because otherwise I couldn’t afford to. This makes my son’s Christmas come true.”
Gloria Gama, of West Palm Beach, brought her four younger siblings to the event.
“It means a lot,” she said. “We’ve been coming here for a couple of years now and these are the only gifts we get, so it’s very important to my family. It’s not just toys, it’s shoes and art supplies. As little as [my siblings] are, they know what they need and not just what they want.”
Terry Flenniken, of Boynton Beach, arrived at the Caridad parking lot with two large bags of toys, items that had been intended for his son and some from his wife’s office, which had a toy drive.
“My son has enough, everything he wants, but there are a lot of kids who wouldn’t have anything for Christmas or Hanukkah or other holidays,” Flenniken said. “And it’s important to remember what the season is all about.”