During the holidays, many gift-givers’ first inclination is to take care of their families. The children want a Barbie Dream House or the Elite Nerf Gun. Mom wants that expensive knife set; Dad a new iPad.
But different organizations, churches and even a couple of elementary-age angels are making sure those who are less fortunate in the community have something to unwrap on Christmas morning.
The organizations are accepting toys and necessities to give to different families and individuals in the local area. If you want to give back this season, it’s a perfect way to create a Christmas miracle.
BUSINESS TOY DRIVES
Charity Drive, Focus 4 Beauty Career Center
Toys and food goods are being collected at Focus 4 Beauty for United Way Food Bank. In exchange for donations, donors will get a free service. Donate from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., through Dec. 20, at Focus 4 Beauty Career Center, 1805 James L. Redman Parkway. For more, call (813) 752-HAIR.
State Farm Good Neighbor Toy Drive
Bring new, unwrapped gifts to Courtney Paat at her State Farm offices in Plant City, 1805 James L Redman Parkway, No. 101, and Lakeland, 5228 U.S. 98 N. Toys will be donated to the United Food Bank of Plant City and Lighthouse Ministries. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 13.
Toy Drive, United Food Bank of Plant City
Drop off an unwrapped toy at the United Food Bank of Plant City, 702 E. Alsobrook St., Suite H. The toys will be given out during the food bank’s annual Christmas event on Dec. 23, which offers food to members in the community who are going through hardships. Other drop-off points include the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place, and Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road.
Toy and Food Drive, Beverage Castle
Drop off a non-perishable food item for the United Food Bank and/or a new toy for Toys for Tots program at the Beverage Castle, 8 N. Lake Blvd. The business also is collecting teddy bears for the Plant City Police Department to give to scared children during calls. Donors don’t even have to get out of the car.
First Baptist Angel Trees by Daisy Project
Plant City’s First Baptist Church has two Christmas trees with ornaments listing a toy or supplies. The items collected from the trees will go to children with cancer at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Sunshine State Federal Savings Angel Tree
Sunshine State Federal Savings, 2400 James L. Redman Parkway, has a Christmas tree with ornaments listing toys needed for children in the community. Toys will be donated to the Kiwanis Club of Plant City for distribution.
Publix Toy Drive
Both Plant City Publix grocery stores are drop-off points for Toys for Tots, which will be distributed locally. The locations are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, at 2515 Thonotosassa Road or 2202 James L. Redman Parkway.
LITTLE ANGELS
They may not have more than an elementary education, but two girls are teaching the community how to give back. Madison Brewer and Chloe Shinneman have each started their own charities. For the holidays, they have spearheaded special collections to help those in need.
Madison Brewer
Since August 2012, Madison has been collecting money for her project, Madison’s Mission. The Dover Elementary student launched her first “The Gift of Christmas” collection under the mission. Money from the collection will go to purchase gifts and bibles for children at the Lakeland Florida Baptist Children’s Home.
Madison’s goal is to raise $2,000. So far, she has raised $1,600.
Last year, Madison also collected money during the holidays to benefit families around town who didn’t have a turkey supper for Thanksgiving or presents to open on Christmas. Throughout the year, she has continued to collect money, and she even raised money and collected clothing for a classmate who lost his home and belongings in a fire.
Madison’s Mission has raised close to $9,000 in the last year and has helped more than 650 people.
To donate, visit helpmadisons mission.blogspot.com and follow the Facebook page at facebook.com/Help Madisons Mission.
Chloe Shinneman
A box wrapped in bright floral paper has just been placed at the front of Plant City’s First Baptist Church Learning Center. The box is part of the Daisy Project, started by Chloe Shinneman. The Walden Lake Elementary student started collecting toys in September and shows no signs of stopping.
She’s managed to convince church leaders to use their Angel Trees this year to benefit the Daisy Project. Toys gathered from the Daisy Project go children with cancer at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Shinneman was inspired to help when her friend, Natalie Harrell, was diagnosed with cancer.
The Daisy Project takes items such as toys, games, coloring books, crayons, video games, gift certificates and fun pillowcases. For the holidays, the Angel Trees will list items suggested by nurses in the unit for the children.
To pick up an angel ornament and donate, visit Plant City’s First Baptist Church, 503. N. Palmer St.