Treasure Coast-wide toy drive focuses on older kids often forgotten

By Nicole Rodriguez

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

With an economy still on the mend, many hard-hit families on the Treasure Coast are unable to buy their children Christmas presents.

That's why the Lighthouse Foundation is stepping in with a tri-county toy drive with the hope of bringing some holiday cheer to needy youth.

On Dec. 8, the foundation is holding all-day toy drives simultaneously from three locations on the Treasure Coast. The Fort Pierce-based nonprofit, which usually services strictly St. Lucie County is branching out this year to Martin and Indian River counties because the need is so great, foundation head Larry Lee Jr. said.

"We're hoping to help hundreds of kids this year," Lee said.

Each location will be accepting unwrapped gifts and tax deductible cash donations from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. to accommodate commuters traveling to and from work who want to donate, officials said.

The Fort Pierce drive will be at Men's Rags Department Store on U.S. 1, Indian River County's drive is at the Gifford Youth Activities Center and Martin County's drive will be held at Advantage Ford on U.S. 1 in Stuart.

The drives will be broadcast live all day on WFLM 104.7 FM The Flame and WIRA 1400 AM The Light.

Last year, the foundation was able to collect and purchase 120 bicycles for needy teens, an age group which is rarely recognized during the holidays, Lee said. This year, the foundation hopes to garner 200 bikes for preteens and teens on the Treasure Coast. One hundred bikes will be distributed in St. Lucie County and the rest will be divided evenly throughout smaller Martin and Indian River counties, Lee added.

"We noticed we'd get a lot of donations of dolls and other small toys," Lee said of previous toy drives. "But it's the teens, ages 13 to 17, who are in great need. They really appreciate the bikes."

The Rev. James Brown of Miracle Prayer Temple Worship Center in Fort Pierce is helping organize the event.

Brown spoke of the great need for toys in St. Lucie County around the holidays.

"Because of the economy, families who donated last year are in need this year," Brown said. "But there are still people who can afford to be a blessing. One thing I love about this place is the community always comes together for causes like this."

Lee said the same is true in Martin County.

"People usually view Martin County as an affluent area, but there are pockets of need in Hobe Sound, Indiantown and Port Salerno," Lee said.

Freddie Woolfork, director of public relations at the Gifford Youth Activities Center echoed the same sentiment.

"In light of the economic climate we're living in, it's obvious there are hundreds of families in need and that need is very great," Woolfork said. "This year we are also asking for cash so we can purchase and distribute gift cards to places like Foot Locker."

To donate:

Indian River County: Drop off unwrapped toys, bicycles and cash donations from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Gifford Youth Activities Center, 4875 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach.

St. Lucie County: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Men's Rags located at 2053 S. U.S. 1 in Fort Pierce

Martin County: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Advantage Ford located at 4000 S.E. U.S. 1 in Stuart

© 2011 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online