From the Orange County Newsroom
Since its first event in 2011, the Orange County Mayor’s Toy Drive has distributed more than 45,000 toys to children and families in need during the holiday season. In 2019, Orange County employees and the community generously donated more than 4,200 toys.
For 2020, the Toy Drive is more important than ever. With many Orange County families affected by the coronavirus, some may need a little extra support to make their holiday joyous and bright – and a single toy donation can do just that!
With this in mind, Mayor Demings launched the toy drive with additional participation opportunities to ensure safety during the annual holiday drive.
In effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and safely collect toys, this year Orange County employees and residents have three options: (1) donate online, (2) drop off toys at county-wide collection sites, and (3) participate in a contact-free drive-thru event to donate toys on Monday, November 23, 2020.
Each year, the toy drive invites residents to drop off a new, unwrapped toy or gift for children ages 18 and under. All donations benefit several Orange County youth and family agencies.
Books
Basketballs
Soccer balls
Model cars
Trucks
Sporting equipment
Craft kits
Junior board games
Dolls
Barbie sets
Lego sets
Tonka toys
Action figures and sets
Skateboards
Helmets
Tea sets
Residents are encouraged to purchase a new, unwrapped toy and either drop-off in person or make an online donation. It is recommended that add-on items be included with some toys, e.g. batteries with electronic toys, or crayons with a coloring book. Gift cards, direct cash and plush toys cannot be accepted.
New this year, residents may purchase gifts through Roonga, an online shopping platform. This contactless donation option allows donors to purchase items for the Mayor’s Toy Drive from the comfort of their homes. All donations are shipped directly to the County’s Holiday Warehouse.
Local business also have the opportunity to support the Toy Drive! Businesses can set fundraising and purchasing goals by creating a Team Drive through Roonga.
IN PERSON
Drop off donations in person at the following Orange County locations:
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge
Barnett Park Recreation Center
East Orange District Park Rec Center
Fort Gatlin Recreation Complex
Meadow Woods Recreation Center
Online shopping donations will be accepted until Monday, December 7, 2020
In-person donations will be accepted until Monday, December 14, 2020
Stuff, Knightro, Shades, Kingston and Scooter will join forces with Mayor Demings to collect toys, while local heroes from Orange County Fire Rescue will ‘show and tell’ emergency response vehicles. This drive-thru event will take place Monday, November 23, 2020, from
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the following locations:
Silver Star Recreation Center: 2801 North Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32818
Downey Park: 10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando, FL 32825
(Contactless Donation Drive-Thru Event to occur simultaneously)
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