The holiday season has officially arrived, and the community is coming together to make sure that every child has a toy to open this year. Check out these different events and toy drives around town, hosted by nonprofits and businesses.
Boca Raton Innovation Campus will be aglow with Christmas lights with the annual CP Group Tree Lighting on Nov. 20. This year’s event is “The Polar Express” themed and all are welcome to join in on the fun—and entry is free for those who bring a new, unwrapped toy or a monetary donation. Toys will benefit Spirit of Giving and VIP tickets ($60 for adults, $16 for kids) benefit the Junior League of Boca Raton. eventbrite.com
The Shops at Boca Center is hosting its Holiday Kickoff on Nov. 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., as well as an evening with Santa, a tree lighting, cookie decorating, live performances and more. Entry is $10, or, bring a toy for the shopping center’s toy drive for free entry. Toys will go toward the Boca Raton Toy Drive, run by four local Rotary Club chapters. Click here for more details.
From Dec. 1 to 15, the Grieco Automotive Group is hosting a toy drive benefitting Toys for Tots. The public can bring in new, unwrapped toys to any of its Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale dealerships. The team says the age groups with the greatest needs is newborn to 3 years old and 12 to 16 year old children. Popular items are learning toys, cars/trucks, blocks, art supplies, self care sets, sports accessories, wallets, purses and gift cards.
The Starboard Group/United We Rock Toy Drive & Concert returns to Old School Square Amphitheatre in Delray Beach on Dec. 5 from 5 to 10 p.m. Set alongside the 100-foot Christmas tree, the free night of rock music also includes Santa’s Giant Toy Box—attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the front of the stage. The toys will be distributed to Delray Citizens for Delray Police, The Boys & Girls Club, Roots & Wings Foundation, Eat Better Live Better, The Achievement Centers for Children & Families and The EJS Project. unitedwerockfoundation.com
What’s better than a toy car? A real one! Cars & Coffee Palm Beach is hosting its 12th Annual Toy Drive on Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to noon at BRiC. Cars can enter the show for $15 at the gate and spectators and passengers are free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Children’s Healing Institute of Palm Beach. Click here for more details.
The elves at Spirit of Giving are in the middle of their 22nd Annual Holiday Gift Drive, where more than 9,000 gifts will be distributed to children at more than 80 area nonprofits. The public is encouraged to donate toys to one of 120 collection sites in town before Dec. 8 so the toys can be distributed in time for the holidays. You can also sponsor a child’s wishlist, shop from Spirit of Giving’s Amazon wishlist, or volunteer your time. spiritofgivingnetwork.com/holiday-gift-drive
The South Palm Beach County chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women is coming together on Dec. 12 for its Black & Gold Christmas Party at the Delray Beach Country Golf Club. Tickets are $60, the event includes a best dressed contest, and the ladies are hosting a toy drive. Click here for more information.
Now through Dec. 13, the Delray Beach Police and Delray Citizens for Delray Police are collecting toys for its 35th Annual Holiday Toy Drive. The public can purchase a toy from their Amazon wish list, send a check or Zelle money, drop off a toy at the Delray Beach Police Department, or sponsor a family. Contact Lt. Rachel Reed at reedr@mydelraybeach.com or see details here.
The 35th Annual Santa Toy Delivery is the definition of Christmas cheer, with Santa dropping off toys to children within the City of Boca Raton on Dec. 13 and 14. Hosted by the Boca Raton Firefighter & Paramedic Benevolent Association, toy donations will be accepted on Dec. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Boca Raton Fire Station 5. bocacares.org/pages/santa-toy-delivery
Tyler Cameron and Tate Madden are hosting a toy drive at Topside at the Beacon in Jupiter on Dec. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. Toys will be donated through the Andrea C. Cameron Foundation. With a toy donation, guests will receive a free drink, and ugly sweaters will earn you a free shot! Plus, live music and happy hour specials. topsidejupiter.com
On Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the team at Beachfront Properties Real Estate in Delray Beach is collecting toys to bring to the kids at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Call 917/889-4700 or click here.
The four Rotary Club chapters in Boca Raton are teaming up to host its 9th Annual Boca Raton Toy Drive giveaway on Dec. 14 at Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton. Until then, the public can drop off toys at various locations around town—or better yet, your business can sign up to become a drop-off location for the toy drive. bocaratontoydrive.com
The Achievement Centers for Children & Families in Delray Beach is accepting toy donations for its parents to “shop” during its annual Holiday Shop on Dec. 20. Check out the wish list here. You can also adopt a family through the ACCF, with families ranging from two to five people and an estimated cost of $30 to $50 per person. For more information, visit achievementcentersfl.org, email events@accffoundation.org or call Gina at 954/232-3806.
Are we missing a toy drive? Email christiana@bocamag.com
