The Village of Merrick Park hosts its Annual Tree Lighting to kick off the holiday season on Thursday, November 18th from 6:30pm-8:30pm.  The tree lighting will take place at 7:45pm.  Residents and visitors are invited to view the 50-foot tree and enjoy the musical performances as well as bring a new, unwrapped gift for Miami-Dade’s foster children to benefit Voices For Children Foundation. Click here for more information.

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.

The 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.

2010 Annual Toy Drive: The 2010 Annual Toy Drive will start in mid-November and run through December. Stay tuned for the announcement of additional official drop locations.  To aid in the Toy Drive and to learn more information, please call (305) 324-5678 or email DMarin@voices4.org.

Tags: CASA, foster care, Holiday, Toy Drive, Village of Merrick Park, Voices For Children

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