NEWS RELEASE 25-055-November 06, 2025
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is pleased to announce the sheriff’s office is hosting its 9th Annual Holiday Toy Drive. This annual event will benefit several nonprofits including the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office (GAL), Teen Court of Sarasota, and All Star Children’s Foundation, to name a few.
The toy drive has evolved into a holiday project the agency and citizens of Sarasota County look forward to every year. Launched in 2017, the sheriff’s office has donated numerous gifts and gift cards with the assistance of agency members, residents, local businesses, and organizations. Working with the GAL program for the past eight years and partnering with Teen Court of Sarasota and All Star Children’s Foundation for the last three, children in Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto County have benefitted from this toy drive, and the community has made it successful and helped it grow.
“The generosity we see through this toy drive truly reflects the spirit of caring and connection that makes our county special.” said Sheriff Hoffman “Providing for multiple organizations and helping bring joy to children in our community is what the holiday season is all about! Each year we are happily surprised that the response gets bigger and bigger.”
In Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties, there are currently more than 1,000 children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect, and as a result, are part of the GAL program. Teens enrolled in Teen Court are supported by the organization’s mission to create a second chance for at-risk youth, and helping them make positive choices through meaningful consequences, peer mentorship, and civic engagement. Finally, All Star Children’s Foundation exists to provide children in foster care with a secure environment where they feel valued, safe, and empowered.
The toy drive will provide for children ranging in age from newborn to 18 with a specific request for new, unwrapped toys and gift cards. We are unable to accept clothing or stuffed animals. The collection period begins on Monday, December 1, and continues through Monday, December 15. All donations can be delivered to two locations: the agency headquarters at 6010 Cattleridge Boulevard, Sarasota, seven days a week between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. or the South County Office at 4531 Annex Road, Venice, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additionally, toys and gift cards can be ordered and delivered from our Amazon Wishlist. Please follow our social media platforms for more details.
A special thanks to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Public Safety Department who are continuing the annual tradition of generously donating our holiday tree to serve as the toy drive’s collection site. For more information, contact the Community Affairs Section at 941.861.4124 or info@sarasotasheriff.org.
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is pleased to announce the sheriff’s office is hosting its 9th Annual Holiday Toy Drive. This annual event will benefit several nonprofits including the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office (GAL), Teen Court of Sarasota, and All Star Children’s Foundation, to name a few.
The toy drive has evolved into a holiday project the agency and citizens of Sarasota County look forward to every year. Launched in 2017, the sheriff’s office has donated numerous gifts and gift cards with the assistance of agency members, residents, local businesses, and organizations. Working with the GAL program for the past eight years and partnering with Teen Court of Sarasota and All Star Children’s Foundation for the last three, children in Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto County have benefitted from this toy drive, and the community has made it successful and helped it grow.
“The generosity we see through this toy drive truly reflects the spirit of caring and connection that makes our county special.” said Sheriff Hoffman “Providing for multiple organizations and helping bring joy to children in our community is what the holiday season is all about! Each year we are happily surprised that the response gets bigger and bigger.”
In Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties, there are currently more than 1,000 children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect, and as a result, are part of the GAL program. Teens enrolled in Teen Court are supported by the organization’s mission to create a second chance for at-risk youth, and helping them make positive choices through meaningful consequences, peer mentorship, and civic engagement. Finally, All Star Children’s Foundation exists to provide children in foster care with a secure environment where they feel valued, safe, and empowered.
The toy drive will provide for children ranging in age from newborn to 18 with a specific request for new, unwrapped toys and gift cards. We are unable to accept clothing or stuffed animals. The collection period begins on Monday, December 1, and continues through Monday, December 15. All donations can be delivered to two locations: the agency headquarters at 6010 Cattleridge Boulevard, Sarasota, seven days a week between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. or the South County Office at 4531 Annex Road, Venice, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additionally, toys and gift cards can be ordered and delivered from our Amazon Wishlist. Please follow our social media platforms for more details.
A special thanks to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Public Safety Department who are continuing the annual tradition of generously donating our holiday tree to serve as the toy drive’s collection site. For more information, contact the Community Affairs Section at 941.861.4124 or info@sarasotasheriff.org.