The Voices For Children Annual Toy Drive benefits thousands of children in Miami-Dade’s Foster Care system each year.  Since 1989, this community-wide effort has ensured that every child in the dependency system receives a gift during the holiday season.  Occurring annually in November and December, the Annual Toy Drive helps children under 18 by providing them with age appropriate board games and other fun toys. 

This Annual Toy Drive initiative also provides items for the many youth that are a part of the Transitioning Youth Project, or TYP.  The TYP works to ensure youth leaving the foster care system have the adult relationships, education, housing, job, and life skills they need to be successful on their own and become productive, healthy adults.  During the holiday season, these youth are given items that will help them lead healthy, independent adult lives, such as linens, the ability to purchase work appropriate clothing, or bicycles as a means of reliable transportation.

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Annual Toy Drive 2009: 21st HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE A GREAT SUCCESS

Every year as the holiday season approaches, Voices For Children holds a holiday toy drive for the foster children of Miami-Dade County.  In 2009, with the efforts of Voices board member Annabel “Bunchy” Gertner and her jolly faithful “elves,” every foster child in the dependency system received a toy, including the 600 transitioning youth who are preparing for independent life. This past year our transitioning teens received “starter kits” containing linens, towels, comforters, pillows, dishes, flatware and other household items.

Voices For Children would like to thank the countless individuals and corporations who donated toys and wrapped gifts.  In particular we would like to thank: The Continental Group; Florida Power & Light; Hasbro, Inc.; Latin Builders Association; The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; and Northern Trust.  Thank you all for your generous support.