FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Sita G. Harrison
Director of Public Relations
The Alexis Agency
Cell (772) 532-5329
sita@thealexisagency.net

Bring a Smile to a Child's Eyes This Holiday Season

--Children's Home Society of Florida Kicks-Off Ninth Annual Holiday Toy Drive Across the Treasure Coast --

FT. PIERECE, FL, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 - Most everyone remembers the joy of receiving toys on Christmas morning as a child. But for kids and youth in foster care, many of the joys and blessings of childhood are few and far between. Children's Home Society of Florida Treasure Coast Division (CHS) wants to ensure that every child in its foster care and adoption programs receives at least one new toy this holiday season. CHS is pleased to announce its ninth annual Holiday Toy Drive, designed to provide toys to 600 abused, neglected or abandoned children - infant through age 23 - in St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.

Carli Caron, age 19, a former resident at CHS' Baines Hall, a group residence for teenage girls in foster care, recalls how much it meant to receive a gift at Christmas.

"It's nice to know somebody cares about you," she said. "When you are celebrating the holiday without your real family surrounding you, you're grateful for everything."

"Toys are not only fun, they are building blocks for development," adds Dee Benjamin, Development Specialist at CHS. "The kids in our programs are especially challenged. Please help CHS light up their lives and make their holiday bright this year."

The community can get involvedby becoming a sponsor, known as a Giving Angel. Businesses, corporations, medical offices, libraries, supermarkets, high school classes, Girls or Boy Scout Troops or any individual committed to collecting new toys or being a drop-off point are invited to participate. CHS will work with Giving Angels to help facilitate collection of all donated toys and ensure delivery to the children in time for Christmas. Sponsors to-date include Coast 101.3 FM, Southeastern Printing from Stuart and Becker Holding and Community Church in Vero Beach.

New, unwrapped toys, including gift cards for the young adults ages l8-23 who are "aging out" of foster care are requested. Tax-deductible donations would also be greatly appreciated. Dolls, scooter, trucks, board games, and a slew of stuffed animals were among the more than 2,000 toys collected through last year's Holiday Toy Drive.

To become a sponsor or Giving Angel, please contact Dee Benjamin at 772-489-5601 ext. 261 or dee.benjamin@chsfl.org or Sharon Lear @ 772-489-5601 x 245 or sharon.lear@chsfl.org.

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