Page 11 - Lifestyles in Palm Bach Gardens - December '22

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 11
Little Smiles 13th Annual Toy Drive Needs Community’s

Help To Bring Holiday Cheer To Local Kids In Need

Donate A New, Unwrapped Toy, Donate By Text Or People can shop and bring new, unwrapped gifts to one Smiles now partners with 32 pediatric facilities from St.
Online, Shop From Little Smiles’ Amazon Wish List, of the many drop-off locations found at littlesmilesfl.org Lucie to Miami that include hospitals, medical day care
Or Become A Drop-Off Location To Be A Part Of South or directly to Little Smiles’ North Pole at Harbourside centers, hospices, shelters, foster care homes, and medical
Florida’s Largest Toy Drive Place in Jupiter. Online options are available by texting support facilities. Their mission is to help kids during
Little Smiles of Florida continues its mission to help kids LITTLESMILES to 44321, shopping from the Amazon difficult times. They provide smiles to children and their
be kids through difficult times by spreading holiday cheer Wish List, or donating at littlesmilesfl.org. support staff with fun events, including movie night, arts
with its Annual Holiday Toy Drive. The organization is Little Smiles provides year-long support bringing joy and crafts, and snack breaks. They fulfill individual needs
collecting gifts through Dec. 25, for newborns to 18 years. and smiles to the many impacted children, caregivers, and requests, such as providing a toy to help distract a child
The gifts are distributed through collection centers for and families at local hospitals and other facilities. The after surgery, pajamas to stay extra comfy during their time
families to pick up and directly to Little Smiles’ 32 pediatric organization’s donations bring fun events for children at the facility, or even a cake and a present to celebrate a
partners, including hospitals with children fighting life- undergoing various hardships. They provide movie birthday during their time at one of the facilities.
threatening illnesses, medical daycare centers, hospices, nights, arts and crafts, and comfort foods to stock hospital Calendar Listing
shelters, foster care homes, and medical support facilities. pantries. In addition, they fulfill individual needs and Now through Dec. 25, Little Smiles 13th Annual
“The holidays are a magical time for children, and with requests such as giving a toy to help distract a child after Holiday Toy Drive is collecting toys for newborns to
the help and generosity of our community, the Little Smiles surgery, pajamas to stay extra comfy during their time 18 years old. The gifts will be distributed to collection
Toy Drive brings joy to so many local children,” said at the facility, or even a cake and a present to celebrate centers for families in need to pick up or directly to Little
Executive Director Nicole Mercado De Leon. “Whether a birthday during their time at one of the facilities. For Smiles’ 32 pediatric partners. Businesses of all sizes are
the toys go to a child in the hospital, a foster child, or a more information, visit littlesmilesfl.org. encouraged to participate and can request a box to become
child whose family is having a difficult time, the kindness About Little Smiles Florida a toy drop-off location or become a sponsor. Ways to donate
is never forgotten, and the smiles on the kids’ faces are Little Smiles is a not-for-profit organization operating include texting LITTLESMILES to 44321, shopping
priceless.” in Palm Beach County and the greater Southeast Florida online from the Amazon Wish List, and dropping off toys
Little Smiles goal is to raise $150,000, and they have region. The charity was founded in 1999 by local at the Little Smiles’ North Pole at Harbourside Place in
made giving easier than ever this holiday season. Businesses businessman Paul L. Donohue, who saw a need and inspired Jupiter or in locations that can be found at littlesmilesfl.
of all sizes are encouraged to participate and can request a the community to bring comfort and joy to children and org throughout South Florida. Donations of any amount
box to become a toy drop-off location or become a sponsor. their caregivers at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital. Little can be made online at littlesmilesfl.org.

Nicole Mercado (far right) receiving
toys from donors Toys being loaded in Little Smiles’ van North Pole toys Jerry Somma, Virginia Sinicki, Nicole Mercado

February 7 at 7:30pm
February 27 at 7:30pm

The Doo Wop Project
January 20 at 7:30pm

GET YOUR
TICKETS TODAY! March 27 at 7:30pm
EisseyCampusTheatre.org
(561) 207-5900 March 16 at 7:30pm

11051 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens
Box Office open Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM & one hour prior to curtain