The holiday season is that time of the year that invites us to pause and embrace the magic of giving and sharing.
Whether you’re gathering around the table for a memorable Christmas feast or lighting the menorah during the eight days of Hanukkah, complete with thoughtful gift exchanges, these traditions provide families with meaningful opportunities to strengthen their bonds with loved ones and their community.
Yet the holiday season can be a challenging time for some, as many are unable to afford gifts for their young ones or share memorable meals with their families. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to support those in need during this time. From toy drives to charity events leading up to Christmas Day, here are a handful of opportunities near you to make a difference in our community.
MIAMI RESCUE MISSION TOY DRIVE
(The Caring Place)
A child accepting a toy donated by the Florida Grassroots Coalition through the Miami Rescue Mission's Toy Drive.
The Caring Place, formally known as the Miami Rescue Mission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless individuals and families in South Florida, is accepting new, unwrapped toy donations at three drop-off locations in Miami now until Dec. 23.
Their goal is to collect more than 6,000 toys and gifts for nearly 500 families in need. These donations will be distributed through a two-part system: 15 to 20 families, primarily women and children residing in their homeless shelters, will receive gifts directly, while the remaining donations will go to low-income families registered to receive toy assistance, with pickups scheduled for Dec. 21.
Lianner Navarro, Senior Community Development Associate at the Caring Place, said 85% of families in their centers are women and children who survived domestic violence, and the families they support cannot afford gifts for their children during the holidays.
Navarro emphasized that the toy collection will cater to children of all ages, from newborns to 18-year-olds. She recommends that contributors donate toys and gifts to children in their teenage years.
“We ask for headphones, journals, gift cards, even if it's $10 to McDonald's or Subway, or maybe a necklace or a watch wallet,” she said, adding how these are the kinds of “gifts that we don't get enough every year.”
The three locations are:
2014 NW 1st Ave. Miami, Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
2020 NW 1st Ave. Miami, Mon. - Fri., after 4:30 p.m. and weekends.
3553 NW 50th St. Miami, Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
NORTH BAY VILLAGE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT TOY DRIVE
(The Caring Place)
Hundreds of wrapped toys donated by the Village of Pinecrest to Miami's Rescue Mission at a previous holiday toy drive.
The North Bay Village Police Department is hosting its annual holiday toy drive to support children at Jackson Memorial Hospital and local families in need.
Toy drive coordinator Sgt. Amy Gordon expressed how special this initiative is to the community.
“For the past 26 years, I’ve had the privilege and honor of coordinating this effort, and it remains one of the most fulfilling and heartwarming experiences of my career and life,” said Gordon. “Seeing the happiness on these children’s faces, who are spending their days in hospital rooms, confined to beds or wheelchairs as they fight to get better, makes this toy drive all the more meaningful.”
Gordon emphasizes the importance of considering the physical circumstances of these children when selecting toys to donate.
“They look for toys and activities they can enjoy within their limited mobility, such as puzzles, board games, baby dolls, stuffed animals, decorative blankets, or arts and crafts supplies. These kinds of toys allow them to play, create, and imagine even while confined to their hospital rooms,” she said.
Now through Dec. 23, the community is welcome to drop off unwrapped toys at Village Hall, 1666 Kennedy Causeway, STE 100, North Bay Village.
SUNNY ISLES BEACH TOY DRIVE
(Courtesy Sunny Isles Beach Police Department)
The Sunny Isles Beach Police Department delivering toys to families in need at a past holiday toy drive.
As part of its annual toy drive, Sunny Isles Beach is collecting new, unwrapped toys for children aged 6 months to 16 years old who might otherwise go without gifts this holiday season. For health and safety purposes, the city asks the community to avoid donations of stuffed animals.
Donations can be dropped off inside boxes at three locations before Dec. 20:
Gateway Center, 151 Sunny Isles Blvd., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Government Center, 18070 Collins Ave., 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Pelican Community Park, 18115 North Bay Rd., 8:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
MIAMI BOAT PARADE AND TOY DRIVE
The Miami Shores community, along with the organizers for Miami’s Boat Parade are hosting a toy and gift drive to collect toys and gifts for children ages infant to young adult.
The public is welcome to donate unwrapped toys before Dec. 2, which will be distributed to kids at the Holtz Children’s Hospital at one of their 10 locations:
Biscayne Park Preschool: 11173 Griffing Blvd, Biscayne Park
C. Lawton McCall Community Center: 9617 Park Dr., Miami Shores
The Cushman School: 592 NE 60th St. Miami
Earthy Chic Boutique: 9705 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Shores
Ed Abdella Field House: 9825 NE Avenue, Miami Shores
GG Salon & Spa - 9063 Biscayne Blvd., Miami Shores, FL 33138
Little Stars Dentistry: 660 NE 95th St. Unit C-9, Miami Shores
Meghan Grimbert Design Company: 165 NE 96th St., Miami Shores
Orange Theory: 9017 Biscayne Blvd., Miami Shores
Roots Montessori - 2646 NE 188th St., Miami
That’s It Salon: 9472 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Shores
A toy drop-off station will also be available at the Boat Parade watch party on Dec. 7. The public is invited to Miami Shores Bayfront Park, located at NE 96 Street and North Bayshore Drive, to enjoy the parade.