Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs\u2019 fourth annual Holiday Heroes Toy Drive exceeded goal expectations collecting 4,655 toys. The toys were sorted and donated to Orange County Neighborhood Centers for Families, Orange County Public Schools, Wraparound Orange, the Community Food and Outreach Center, Toys for Tots and the American Red Cross. The Holiday Heroes Toy Drive wrapped up on Friday with local families selecting toys with the Mayor at the West Orange Neighborhood Center for Families in Winter Garden.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy heart is so touched by those who have collected so many toys for our neighbors in need,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cWorking together, the generous hearts of our employees, citizens and community are truly making Orange County the best place in the world to live, learn, work and raise a family.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the annual toy shopping event, local families are able to personally select their toys of choice for their children. The Neighborhood Center for Families 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.<\/p>\n
“For me, the best part of the holidays is seeing the joy on our children’s faces,” Mayor Jacobs said. “Together we have captured the true spirit of the holidays, the spirit of giving and the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors.”<\/p>\n
Two very special families had the opportunity to select their toys with the help of Mayor Jacobs and each left with two large bags filled with games, dolls, basketballs and headsets in addition to a basketball hoop, two bikes and an electric Corvette.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is like Christmas and this will make a big impact on my girls,\u201d said Jeffrey, the father of two local West Orange County girls who participated in the shopping event. \u201cWe wouldn\u2019t have been able to have a Christmas if it weren\u2019t for Mayor Jacobs\u2019 Toy Drive.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year, Orange County Parks and Recreation was again the County division that collected the most toys with 1,650 toys and gift cards. In addition to Parks and Recreation, Fire Rescue, Utilities, Corrections, Family Services, Convention Center, Neighborhood Preservation and Revitalization, Environmental Protection, Planning, Human Resources, Regional History Center, County Administration, Communications, Permitting, Information Systems and Services, Code Enforcement and Animal Services collected toys to benefit Mayor Jacobs\u2019 Holiday Heroes Toy Drive.<\/p>\n
FOX 35 was the official media partner for the toy drive, donating airtime and hosting Orange County\u2019s signature annual Holiday at Heritage Square event at the Regional History Center.<\/p>\n
For the first time, Orange County partnered with the University of Central Florida (UCF) Student Athletes Association, Valencia College, and Light Up UCF at the CFE Arena. These extended collection efforts helped touch the lives of more children and families across our community.<\/p>\n
For the third year, Mayor Jacobs also kicked off her annual Adopt a Fire Station initiative. This program is a county-wide campaign that recognizes the efforts of the men and women of Orange County’s Fire Rescue Department. There were 28 stations adopted by 45 various organizations, families, businesses, and high schools. Many of the stations held open house for residents to visit and received a variety of creative care packages, including holiday meals, special decorations, and much more.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very fortunate and thankful for the volunteerism of all the wonderful organizations that participated in this year\u2019s Adopt a Fire Station initiative,\u201d said Fire Chief Otto Drozd III. \u201cIt is their giving spirit and kind hearts that helped to make the holiday season better for our firefighters.\u201d<\/p>\n