NAPLES — Firefighters and sheriff’s deputies are used to helping people in emergencies.
Preventing Collier County children from going without Christmas presents certainly fits the bill.
Both the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the East Naples fire department recently announced that they are once again launching their annual toy drives to help make the holidays a little brighter for needy children. They know they have their work cut out for them this year due to the still-fledgling economy.
“We know it’s going to be a challenge,” East Naples fire spokesman Greg Speers said.
This year, East Naples firefighters are teaming up with Golden Gate and Marco Island firefighters for their “Toy Drive Command,” which they believe to be the longest continuously running holiday toy drive in the county at more than 35 years.
The firefighters have never turned a child away, Speers said, adding that last year they provided toys to more than 1,200 kids.
“Our goal is at least that this year,” he said.
Parents and guardians in need must pre-register for the drive between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Eagle Creek Plaza, behind the store at 12628 U.S. 41 E. They need to bring a birth certificate for each child and photo ID for themselves.
They’ll be directed to return on one of the giveaway nights, Dec. 16, 17 or 18, when they can select gifts.
Anyone who would like to contribute new, unwrapped toys for girls and boys up to 12 years old can drop them off at any East Naples, Golden Gate or Marco Island fire station. Checks and cash donations also are accepted.
Speers said the biggest challenge every year is collecting toys for the older kids.
“It doesn’t have to be super expensive for people to get a nice gift,” he said.
Though it hasn’t been around as long as the East Naples drive, the Sheriff’s Office’s “Celebrate with a Star” program, which launched in 2006, also has become a tradition.
This year, the Sheriff’s Office’s drive is benefiting the nonprofit Grace Place community center in Golden Gate, which offers programs to needy children, and the Collier County Domestic Animal Services.
“Our COPS deputies have worked with Grace Place in the past so we knew there was a need in the community,” Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jamie Mosbach said.
Anyone who would like to contribute should send an e-mail to ccsopio@colliersheriff.net, or pluck a star off the tree in the human resources lobby at the Sheriff’s Office’s headquarters, 3301 U.S. 41 E., Building J, in the Collier County Government Center.
Each ornament has either a Grace Place child’s name and wish list, or an item needed by DAS.
“Celebrate with a Star” gifts must be dropped off at the Sheriff’s Office headquarters or any substation by Dec. 10. Grace Place gifts should be wrapped, but DAS gifts don’t need to be.
For more information about the East Naples fire drive, call (239) 774-2800. For more information about the Sheriff’s Office drive, call (239) 793-9145.
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