FGCU Students Launch Holiday Gift Drive for Pace Center for Girls in SW Florida

Students at Florida Gulf Coast University started a holiday gift drive for teen girls at the Pace Center for Girls in Southwest Florida. The social entrepreneurship class collected 11 donated Christmas trees and placed them in businesses across the region.

Each ornament hanging on the trees was made by a Pace Center student. On the back, you'll find a holiday wish list item. Community members can grab an ornament and donate a gift for girls who might go without presents this season.

The Pace Center for Girls runs a day program. It helps students who struggle with mental health issues, unstable homes, and money problems. Teens who face these obstacles often lack basic necessities.

"A lot of these girls come from homes where food may not be plentiful," said Amy McQuadde, Board Chair of the Pace Center for Girls, according to Fox 4. "The luxuries of life, hygiene products, some girls don't have those things. This gives them the opportunity to feel like they can contribute back to their family at the holidays, where they might not be able to do that."

McQuadde explained how this project gives the teens hope. It lets them give back to their families — something many have never experienced during the holidays.

Suggested donations include makeup, fuzzy slippers, gift cards, and hygiene products.

FGCU senior Raize Kloss helped coordinate the project. "It feels really nice to know that a group of college students can get together and make such a big impact," Kloss said. "It shows that you don't have to be a certain age or have a certain job title to help people around you."

The donation drive runs through the Christmas season. Organizers said the biggest push wraps up on Friday.

Community members can visit participating businesses to pick up an ornament and support girls who need it this holiday season.

Here's the list of locations where you can find the trees: