Toy Drives In Lakeland: How To Make The Holidays Merry For Everyone

LAKELAND, FL — While you’re checking off holiday gifts for family members, don’t forget the kids who aren’t on anyone’s shopping list and pick up some items for toy drives in Lakeland.

One of the most well-known toy drives is the Toys for Tots campaign, led by the Marine Corps Reserves. Since 1947, Toys for Tots drives across the country have collected 708 million toys that were distributed to 314 million children.

Last year in Polk County, more 55,400 toys were distributed to about 15,000 children who might not otherwise have gotten any Christmas gifts through Toys for Tots.

Though many Toys for Tots drives and events have already passed this season, people who want to support the campaign can still donate online.

In the Lakeland area, donations of new, unwrapped toys also are still being accepted directly at the Toys for Tots warehouse at 615 McKean Street in Auburndale through Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS-recognized nonprofit public charity created in 1991, uses 97 percent of every donation to buy toys for children in need.

Other toy drives in Lakeland include:

• CASA for Kids: CASA of Polk County is collecting holiday toys and winterwear through Dec. 19.
• Neighborhood Christmas Store: Online donations can still be made to this initiative organized by Parker Street Ministries.
• Rudolph Round-Up: Organized by Heartland for Children, this drive helps to create holiday memories for more than 1,500 children in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.