Sarasota Sheriff’s Office Hosts Toy Drive For Kids In Foster Care

SARASOTA, FL — The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office hosts its fourth annual holiday toy drive benefitting the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida’s Guardian ad Litem program, according to an SCSO news release.

The program works with children in foster care. There are currently more than 1,500 children in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect, the news release said. As a result, they’ve been appointed a Guardian ad Litem.

The initiative launches Tuesday and runs through Dec. 15. Donations can be dropped off at the SCSO headquarters, which is located at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd. Donors can call 941-861-4005 with additional questions.

Because the children range in age from newborn to 18 years old and have varying needs, only toys and gift cards are accepted. All donations must be new and unwrapped. No clothing or stuffed animals are permitted.

With the COVID-19 pandemic canceling many holiday events, the sheriff’s office is making this year’s toy drive extra special by getting Santa Claus involved, the news release said. Santa will appear at headquarters on Saturday, December 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. He’ll stand outside the main entrance greeting donors as they drive by and drop off toys.

Donors are encouraged to wear masks so they can take a quick selfie with Santa while their vehicle is in park. They will also receive an SCSO swag bag. There will be no on-site parking and donors are asked to remain in their vehicles.

For those unable to attend the donation drop-off event, toys can be delivered to headquarters any day of the week, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The toy drive initiative launched in 2017. Since then, more than 3,500 gifts, including nearly $9,000 in gift cards, has been collected. This year, the sheriff’s office hopes to surpass totals from previous years and collect even more gifts for children in need, the news release said.

“This event has really become the highlight of our year, every year,” Sheriff Tom Knight said. “I continue to be amazed by the outpouring of support from our employees and community who love to bring joy to deserving children during the holiday season.”