The Less Fortunate Still Matter Foundation is working to give away thousands of toys to families in Leon County this holiday season. Neighbors and local businesses are joining forces to collect at least 3,000 toys. Watch the video to learn how you can be a part of the cause.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
You may have seen these boxes in a few businesses around Tallahassee. One organization is hoping neighbors will fill them to give thousands of families in Leon County a holiday to remember. Im Kenya Cardonne, your Southeast Tallahassee neighborhood reporter. Heres how you can be a part of the cause.
According to a 2024 Holiday Spending Report by NerdWallet, more than half of holiday shoppers this year say the costs associated with holiday spending stress them out.
Its a feeling especially familiar here in Leon County following major setbacks including flooding, catastrophic tornadoes and inflation.
Tim Mosley, Founder of The Less Fortunate Still Matter Foundation – We go out to the people that are crying out for help.
Its why for the 11th year in a row, The Less Fortunate Still Matter Foundation is hoping to turn the holidays around by giving away 3-5k toys to families in need, with help from the community.
Mosley – Tallahassee has a huge heart for giving back to the community and if anybody is going to give, its going to be Tallahassee.
Tallahassee neighbors like Anthony DeRosa are living up to that statement, by donating toys to the foundation.
Anthony DeRosa, Neighbor – Helping somebody else I mean, that feeling you can’t buy, so the money part of it is nothing.
He says everyone is feeling the strains from inflation but it couldnt stop him from giving back to those who are feeling the strains harder..
DeRosa – A $5 toy is a $5 toy. That kid doesn’t know it’s $5. It could be a $50 toy to him, he gets $100 worth of enjoyment of that toy.
The donation boxes in businesses like Southwood Sweets and Canopy Road Cafe are already filling up. There are at least 12 more locations across town that you can choose from to join the cause.
DeRosa – I mean, one toy could make the difference in a kid’s Christmas. I mean one little toy, which you think is nothing, could make a kid’s whole Christmas. You just have no clue how far one thing can go.
Neighbors can drop off donations at any of these locations until Tuesday, December 10th:
Canopy Road Cafe3196 Merchants Row BlvdTallahassee, FL 32311 Camping World31300 Blue Star Hwy US 90Midway, FL 32343 Acceptance Insurance1210 Capital Circle SE Ste ATallahassee, FL 32303 Revels Meat Market4151 Woodville HwyTallahassee, FL 32305 Kekes Breakfast Cafe1861 W Tennessee St.Tallahassee, FL 32304 Gandy Printers1800 S Monroe St.Tallahassee, FL 32301 Donalson Diesel Performance9115 Havana HwyHavana, FL 32333 Summer Smoke House9330 West Tennessee St.Tallahassee, FL 32310 SouthWood Sweets3197 Merchant Row Blvd Suite #130Tallahassee, FL 32311 SouthWood Golf Club3750 Grove Park Dr.Tallahassee, FL 32311 Sonnys Barbecue3101 Dick Wilson BlvdTallahassee, FL 32301 Ultimate Image Auto1177 Capital City SETallahassee, FL 32301 Golf Club of Quincy2291 Solomon Dairy RdQuincy, FL 32352 Platinum Dance Center6615 Mahan DrTallahassee, FL 32308
The toy giveaway will take place at the North Florida Fairgrounds on Saturday, December 14th from 10 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
It is free and open to all neighbors.
All kids must be present.
In Southeast Tallahassee, Kenya Cardonne ABC 27