‘Tis the season to show your Spirit of Giving. The 12th Annual Holiday Gift Drive needs your help to ensure that the Christmas dreams of over 4,000 children come true. The Spirit of Giving Network in partnership with the Junior League of Boca Raton are working with 35 agencies to provide toys to needy children in Palm Beach County.
The Spirit of Giving Holiday Gift Drive is the leading organization in our community granting holiday wishes to children but we cannot do it without you support. This year, you can help make a child’s wish come true in the following ways:
- Sponsor a child by fulfilling a gift on a gift tag
- Collect new, unwrapped gifts – we will provide the collection box
- Make a cash or gift certificate donation and our elves will do the toy shopping for you.
The idea of a gift drive began back in 2001 when Barb and Dick Schmidt (Founders of the Spirit of Giving Network) asked their friends to bring a gift for a child to their holiday house party. The response was overwhelming and the rest is history. The Schmidt’s were compelled to continue their efforts as the needs were greater and greater each year. The enormity of the work involved with of collecting, sorting, storing and distributing gifts became so profound, that the Junior League of Boca Raton was asked to partner in the event five years ago.
“It is one of the biggest projects we do each year,” says Karen Krumholtz, Executive Director of the Spirit of Giving Network. “We are lucky to have been able to provide gifts to so many children in previous years and thankful to all those who continue to support this wonderful community initiative.”
Last year the gift drive had over 100 community sponsors including: Lynn Financial Group, Jarden Consumer Solutions, SBA Communications, The Continental Group, St. Andrews School, Pine Crest School, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Lynn University, Twister Gymnastics, and Cendyn. It is also important to acknowledge the Holiday Gift Drive founders: Ann Rutherford, Ann Vegso, Barbara Schmidt, Carol Gunnell, Carol Putnam, Carolyn Cunningham, Deanna Rosemurgy, Deanna Wheeler, DJ Lindsay, Jeanette Himes, Marilyn Osborne, Pat McCall, Rita Head and Susan Whelchel for their unwavering support over the past 12 years.
All gifts and donations must be received by December 9, 2013. Drop off locations include any fire station in Boca Raton, the Junior League of Boca Raton and Mercedes-Benz of Delray. More information is available on our website www.spiritofgivingnetwork.com/holidaygiftdrive. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Karen Krumholtz. 561-385-0144 or Karen@spiritofgivingnetwork.com