LITTLE SMILES 12th ANNUAL TOY DRIVE STRIVES TO BRING MORE HOLIDAY CHEER TO LOCAL FAMILIES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Palm Beach Gardens, FLA. – (November 22, 2021) – In 2020, Little Smiles annual holiday toy drive distributed nearly 10,000 toys impacting over 6,800 families from Palm Beach to Miami Dade counties. The gifts bring smiles to newborns – 18 years old and are distributed to collection centers for families in need to pick up and directly to Little Smiles’ thirty-two pediatric partners.
“The holidays are a special time of year, especially for children. We help families who are struggling financially for a variety of reasons. Our goal is simple,” said Executive Director Nicole Mercado, to put smiles on kids’ faces during the holidays. We give families who are struggling a helping hand and let kids be kids to enjoy the magic of the holidays.”
Due to the nationwide shortage of toys, widespread supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages, those considering donating are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. With the need greater than ever, Little Smiles is making it easier than ever to donate. Ways to donate include texting LITTLESMILES to 44321, shopping online from the Amazon Wishlist, dropping off toys at the Little Smiles’ North Pole at Harbourside Place in Jupiter, or in locations that can be found at littlesmilesfl.org throughout Palm Beach County. Donations of any amount can be made online at littlesmilesfl.org.
Little Smiles provides year-long support bringing joy and smiles to the many impacted children, caregivers, and families at local hospitals and other facilities. The organization’s donations provide fun events for children undergoing a variety of hardships. They provide movie night, arts and crafts, and comfort foods to stock hospital pantries. In addition, they fulfill individual needs and requests such as providing a toy to help distract a child after surgery, pajamas to stay extra comfy during their time at the facility, or even a cake and a present to celebrate a birthday during their time at one of the facilities. For more information, visit littlesmilesfl.org.
About Little Smiles Florida
Little Smiles is a not-for-profit organization operating in Palm Beach County and the greater Southeast Florida region. The charity was founded in 1999 by local businessman, Paul L. Donohue, who saw a need and inspired the community to bring comfort and joy to children and their caregivers at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital. Little Smiles now partners with thirty-two pediatric facilities from St. Lucie to Miami that include hospitals, medical day care centers, shelters, foster care homes and medical support facilities. Their mission is to help kids during difficult times. They provide smiles to children and their support staff with fun events including movie night, arts and crafts, and snack breaks. They fulfill individual needs and requests such as providing a toy to help distract a child after surgery, pajamas to stay extra comfy during their time at the facility, or even a cake and a present to celebrate a birthday during their time at one of the facilities.
###
Calendar Listing:
Now through December 25, 2021, Little Smiles (12th Annual Holiday Toy Drive) is collecting toys for newborns – 18 years old. The gifts will be distributed to collection centers for families in need to pick up and directly to Little Smiles’ thirty-two pediatric partners that include hospitals with children fighting life threatening illnesses, medical day care centers, shelters, foster care homes and medical support facilities. Ways to donate include texting LITTLESMILES to 44321, shopping online from the Amazon Wishlist, dropping off toys at the Little Smiles’ North Pole at Harbourside Place in Jupiter, or in locations that can be found at littlesmilesfl.org throughout Palm Beach County. Donations of any amount can be made online at littlesmilesfl.org.