This year I participated in the Toys for Tots toy donation drive again.
Logistically, it went better because we are getting into a routine at work and have the boxes, flyers, and contacts at hand so we can start any time. It was definitely easier to organize this year since we had everything set up from last year.
The bad news is that donations were down this year, not just from us but across south Florida. We appreciated all of the help and donations we received this year but we definitely had less than last year. It is not from lack of giving this year but, my theory, is that people have been giving so much this year to a variety of charities, the donations were spread across multiple charities. Many people this year have donated to the hurricane victims of Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. I know that I have seen donation drives to support Puerto Rico on a regular basis since the fall. There was a competing toy drive just for Puerto Rico this year with many children even giving up their toys for those on the island. I work with many Puerto Ricans and I know they have been sending a lot back to Puerto Rico on a regular basis.
With that said, we still had a good turn out and hopefully we'll make many children happy this Christmas.
