NEWS RELEASE 19-205 - DECEMBER 19, 2019
Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight is pleased to announce the sheriff’s office collected more than 1,450 donations including more than $4,100 in gift cards, during the agency’s third annual holiday toy drive.
In 2017, the sheriff’s office launched its inaugural holiday toy drive in the front lobby of the agency’s new Sarasota headquarters. A tree was selected by local Boy Scout troops for the 2017 event and again in 2018. This year, the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Public Safety Department stepped up and donated a tree where agency and community members donated toys for children ranging from newborn to 18 years old, over the course of two weeks. On Thursday, deputies delivered 1,453 gifts including $4,120 in gift cards, to the 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem offices in downtown Sarasota. Over the next few days, guardians will deliver toys to the more than 1,500 children from throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
“Holiday toy drive day is probably one of my favorite days of the year,” commented Sheriff Tom Knight. “The unwavering and growing support of this initiative speaks volumes about the community we have here in Sarasota County and it’s our privilege to serve as an avenue for citizens to give back during the holiday season.”