Sheriff's Office Announces 2nd Annual Holiday Toy Drive

NEWS RELEASE 18-181 - NOVEMBER 7, 2018
Holiday Toy Drive FINAL 2018

 
Sheriff Tom Knight is pleased to announce the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is hosting its second annual holiday toy drive benefitting the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida’s Guardian ad Litem program.
 
There are currently more than 1,500 children from throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and as such, appointed a Guardian ad Litem. Because the children range in age from newborn to 18 years old with varying personal needs, the sheriff’s office has chosen to focus the holiday initiative solely on toys and gift cards. Citizens are asked to refrain from donating clothing or stuffed animals and to make sure all donations are new and unwrapped. The initiative begins Saturday, December 1 and continues until Saturday, December 15. Citizens can deliver donations to the agency’s headquarters located at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd., Sarasota, every day between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
 
The initiative launched in 2017 when the agency moved into its new headquarters facility on Cattleridge Blvd. in Sarasota. For the first time in 30 years, the sheriff’s office has its own space to decorate and accept gifts for children during the holiday season. In 2017, with help from agency members, residents, local businesses and organizations, the sheriff’s office collected more than 750 donations including more than $1,000 in gift cards. Due to the program’s success, the sheriff’s office hopes to beat last year’s numbers and collect even more gifts for children in need.
 
“We are very excited to launch this holiday toy drive for the second year in a row,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “I remember being in awe last year when I walked into our lobby on the final day of giving. To see my employees and community really step up and show this act of kindness during the holiday season, makes me very proud to be part of Sarasota County.”
 
The holiday toy drive will take place during the agency’s annual open house on Saturday, December 8, 2018. The first 300 attendees who deliver a new and unwrapped toy or gift card will receive a free sheriff’s office t-shirt. T-shirts are limited to one per person per gift.