For 4,000 children in Miami-Dade’s foster care system, the holiday season is one of uncertainty. As many of us plan our shopping well in advance, Voices For Children’s very own Santa Claus, Annabel (Bunchy) Gertner, makes her list and sets the stage for making sure that the community responds to Voices’ plea to ensure that every child in the system receives a gift for the holidays.

Brownie Troop in 2008 Toy Drive

Bunchy Gertner delivering JC Penny shopping cards to transitioning teens. Toy Drive 2008 special transitioning teens initiative.

The Annual Toy Drive is a community-wide effort that includes corporate sponsors, private donors and individuals. With it’s signature launch, timed with the Village of Merrick Park’s Tree Lighting Ceremony each year where individuals are asked to bring a new toy for the Toy Drive, Bunchy and her elves work around the clock to make sure that by Christmas Day, all 4,000 children have received their presents.

Bicycles for the special Transitioning Teens initiative for the 2007 Toy Drive.	TSAO Design Group with VFC Director and Community Outreach Coordinator, Annabel (Bunchy) Gertner. From left: Abigail Pilgrim, Janie Coka, Meredith Marlow, Amber Zimmerman, Gustavo Perdomo, Kason Hogopian and Bunchy Gertner
2008 Toy Drive Gifts table.	Bunchy Gertner with FP&L sponsors.

It’s as easy as 1,2,3,4!

1.  Toys:

Starting Tuesday, Dec. 1st take new, unwrapped toys to The Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave. 3rd Floor- 3rd Store from Nordstrom from 10am to 6pm. Find out more about our Special Transitioning Teens initiative here.

2.  Donate:

Online or write a check to Voices for Children with “Toy Drive” on the memo line.

3.  Sponsor:

Be a voice! Sponsor a group of children to shop and deliver the unwrapped toys to The Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave. 3rd Floor- 3rd Store from Nordstrom from 10am to 6pm. For sponsorship instruction please complete form or contact us.

4.  Volunteer:

Join the crowd and help us wrap the toys. Volunteer information here.

Where

Starting Tuesday, Dec. 1st
The Village of Merrick Park
358 San Lorenzo Ave.
3rd Floor, 3rd Store from Nordstrom
10am to 6pm