Toy drive becomes neighbors helping neighbors

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs welcomed four local mothers to the Ivey Lane Neighborhood Center for Families (NCF) on December 15th for her annual Holiday Heroes Toy Drive shopping event. Jacobs, along with NCF staff, assisted the parents in selecting the perfect gifts for their children in keeping with Orange County’s neighbors helping neighbors philosophy.

In partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida on Raleigh Street, the Center was transformed into a scene from “The Polar Express,” with several tables and shelves filled with a variety of gifts, including toys, games and accessories, which were donated as part of Jacobs' 2016 Holiday Heroes Toy Drive. This year, Orange County employees and citizens generously donated more than 6,000 gift items, far exceeding last year’s toy drive collection of 5,100 toys.

“Each year I am blown away by the amount of toys our employees and extended community donate, allowing us to give back to our families in need,”[/caption]

“Each year I am blown away by the amount of toys our employees and extended community donate, allowing us to give back to our families in need,” Jacobs said. “For many, these will be the only gifts their precious children will receive from Santa. Our annual Holiday Heroes Toy Drive truly embodies the spirit of giving and Orange County’s neighbors helping neighbors philosophy.”

Once parents made their selection in “The Polar Express,” NCF staff helped wrap the gifts to get ready for the holidays. Families also received a special Christmas dinner box filled with holiday treats and meals.

The NCF is a community-based collaborative of area public schools, government agencies, churches, grassroots organizations and nonprofit service providers that offer friendly assistance to the children and families of Orange County. The families who participate in the annual toy shopping event are usually referred by NCF service providers, who work to identify local families who have the greatest need.

Orange County employees, volunteers and the extended community have contributed greatly to the success of Jacobs’ Toy Drive. Since 2011, more than 22,450 toys have been distributed to children up to age 18 through several community organizations, including Orange County Neighborhood Centers for Families, Orange County Public Schools’ Homeless Program, Wraparound Orange and United Against Poverty, formerly known as the Community Food and Outreach Center.

Upon collection, all toys donated to the Holiday Heroes Toy Drive are sorted by age and gender, a task which is only accomplished through countless employee and volunteer hours.

For the first time this year, Orange County Government hosted “Coffee with a Cop,” where members of the community were encouraged to donate a toy for coffee and conversation with deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at the world’s largest entertainment McDonald’s.

To view more photos from the holiday toy shopping event, visit Jacobs’ Flickr album.