The 2022 Orange County Mayor’s Holiday Toy Drive recently completed its 12th year collecting gifts for the benefit of local youth, and the final numbers are in. During a year where the community faced an increase in the cost of living, the aftermath and cleanup from two major hurricanes and lingering effects of COVID-19, Orange County employees, businesses and residents generously donated more than 9,000 toys.
All told, the County reached 98 percent of its goal by the end of the online drive, as well as more than doubled its total pre-COVID toy collection from 2019.
Donations to the drive were distributed to Orange County Neighborhood Centers for Families, as well as 12 local charity organizations, including OCPS Kid’s Closet, Wraparound Orange and more.
“The power of one toy given can make a huge difference in a child’s life, and this year, like in previous years, Orange County employees and residents really came through in a big way,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. “We had more than 950 in donations from our online drive and close to 100 in-person donations during the recent Oath of Office event alone, which was incredible.”
All kinds of toys, including books, basketballs, soccer balls, model cars, toy trucks, sporting equipment, craft kits, junior board games, dolls, Barbie sets, LEGO sets, Tonka toys, action figure sets, skateboards, helmets and tea sets were received. Thirty kids from struggling Orange County employee families received gifts, as did more than 120 families from the Neighborhood Centers for Families team.
“The annual toy drive means a great deal to me,” continued Mayor Demings, “and every year, when we receive the final numbers, I continue to be thankful to Orange County employees and the local community for their generosity and kindness.”
The sad reality is that the local economy in greater Orlando keeps so many families struggling and in need of such programs.
