This year, we’ve focused a lot on what our library system can do to be more supportive of our community. We want to be involved and engaged with those doing good things around us.
So, when we learned that Orange County was open to having us participate in the annual Mayor’s Holiday Toy Drive, a tradition that helps bring a little extra cheer to families in need during the holiday season, we were all in. This is the first year the library has participated in the toy drive, and we’re excited to have all 15 library locations serve as drop-off points for customers who want to donate a new, unwrapped toy or gift suitable for children ages 18 and under.
The Mayor’s Toy Drive is going into its 13th year of collecting gifts for kids, which are then distributed to families through the county’s Neighborhood Centers for Families, nonprofit organizations and other agencies that serve children and families in our area. Last year, more than 9,000 toys were donated – more than 120 families served by the county’s Neighborhood Centers for Families received toys, as did 30 children from struggling Orange County employee families. Toys were also donated to 12 local charity organizations to distribute to families they serve.
Help us make this year’s Mayor’s Holiday Toy Drive a success. Beginning November 6, drop off your donation to any Orange County Library System location, and we’ll make sure it gets delivered to Orange County as part of the drive.
Your gift doesn’t have to be a high-end item. You can donate things like board games, books, dolls, action figures, sporting equipment, bike helmets, crafting kits and LEGO sets. If your donation requires batteries, please include those as well.
We can’t accept used toys, plush toys, cash or gift cards.
You have until December 11 to make your in-person donation. If you can’t get to a library location, the county has other drop-off sites you can visit, or you can donate online until December 4.
