Southwest Florida Organizations Host Multiple Holiday Toy Drives for Local Children

Groups in Southwest Florida are running toy drives through December. They want to help kids who need gifts. The drives will gather toys for Toys for Tots, Golisano Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, and Child Care of Southwest Florida.

The Lee County Tax Collector's Office takes donations through Friday. Six service centers have boxes. People can bring new toys that haven't been wrapped yet.

"Child Care of Southwest Florida plays a vital role in preparing children for success in school and life, and we are honored to support their mission this holiday season," said Noelle Branning, Lee County Tax Collector, according to Naples News.

Child Care of Southwest Florida helps more than 400 kids. The group runs 11 Gold Seal learning centers in Lee and Hendry Counties and has over 100 teachers. It started back in 1967.

Bell Tower in Fort Myers will run the Christmas Care Toy Drive and Car, Truck & Bike Show Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Gulf Shore Mustang Club is helping. Car owners can sign up early for $25, or $20 if they bring a toy. Registration on the same day costs $30, or $25 with a toy.

Gulf Coast Town Center has a toy drive through Nov. 28. Shoppers can bring toys to stores in the center and scan a QR code on the boxes to win prizes. Winners get discounts and gift cards from Cattyshack Cat Cafe, Miller's Ale House, and Red Robin.

The 2nd Annual Toy Match Toy Drive runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Toy World in Coconut Point Mall in Estero. Brittany Skotak and The Skotak Group at Douglas Elliman Real Estate are presenting it. They want to get 500 donations, then match them so Toys For Tots receives 1,000 toys total.

Santa will be there for photos, and anyone can enter a free raffle for a $500 shopping spree at Toy World — no purchase needed.