Where to Donate Christmas Gifts in Tampa, Florida

Christmas is a time for love, and it's also when Santa comes. Unfortunately, for some children Santa won't be able to make it this year. Tampa Florida is no different then any other city. You'll find a mixture of all sorts of people. However, Tampa is home to several children who are either homeless, or very close to it. How do you explain to a child that Santa wasn't able to visit their home, especially when Santa visited all of there friends. Maybe, just maybe we can all avoid breaking the heart of a young child if we all work together as a community. Sure, some of you are asking yourselves "why didn't the parents buy them something", or "if their parents don't care, why should I?". Regardless of the families situation, it's the children that we must think of.

Let me share a story with you. Two years ago I started working with the social worker at my sons school. We gathered toys, wrapped them, and gave them to the families who needed them within our school. I have seen parents cry from happiness when we told them we had a package for them. I have heard stories from the parents of how excited their children was on Christmas morning, some for the first time in their lives. Knowing I helped make a difference warmed my heart for months to come.

Know one is asking for you to spend hundreds of dollars, one toy, one $5.00 toy can change the life of a child. However, where do you take that toy? Who do you give it to? There are several easy ways to help out. These are just a handful of places you can donate a toy, and change a life in the Tampa Bay area.

1) Toys for Tots: I know you have seen the boxes. How much easier can it get? You buy a toy, and drop it in the box. Toys for tots boxes are found in several stores though out Tampa. To find the location nearest you, visit www.toysfortots.org

2) Your local elementary school. Ask your local elementary school if they are participating in a toy drive. If they are not, they can tell you which school in the area is.

3) Metropolitan Ministries host a annual toy and can food drive every year. To the locations of this years drop off sites visit www.metromin.org

4) US Postal Services Also collects toys for the holidays, and they make it super simple. All you have to do is hang your toy in a bag on your mailbox, or place it in the box. Keep an eye out for an advertising postcard with pick up date on it. They usually mail these out in November.

5) Your Church is another great place to start. They will see that donated toys get to the right place. For all you know there might be a family in need at your church. You might not realize it, but several families ask the Father, Pastor, Reverend, etc... for prayers and help during the holidays, that focus on their Children not having a gift to open.

As you see, there are plenty of places in the Tampa Bay area that you can donate a toy or two for a needy child during the holidays. If every person donated just one toy, Santa would be able to visit every girl and boy.