Page 8 - Palm City Spotlight - December '19

Page 8, Palm City Spotlight

hoLiday haPPenings

Top Three Ways To Spread 2. Donate A New, Unwrapped
Holiday Cheer In Martin Toy
United Way will be
County accepting new, unwrapped
toys at Toys for Tots
United Way Of Martin County Spreads collections sites until
Thursday, Dec. 12. All toys
Holiday Cheer For Families Facing Hard collected in Martin County
Times: Here’s How You Can Help stay in Martin County to
The holidays are quickly make the holidays bright for
approaching and for many local children.
children presents are not 3. Give A Financial Gift To
guaranteed. With Martin Cover The Cost Of A Gift
County’s poverty level Card, Bike Or Holiday
hovering at 10 percent and Meal
an additional 28 percent Monetary donations
struggling to afford basic are welcomed. “Monetary
needs, it won’t be a Merry donations allow us the Staff at Sandhill Cove Retirement Living sorted toys in Santa’s workshop to prepare for the
Christmas for an alarming opportunity to purchase toys United Way Holiday Project.
number of local families. where we have the largest
For more than 30 years, shortages,” Houwaart-Diez said. Shortfalls are typically About United Way Of Martin County
United Way of Martin for children 13 to 15 years of age because this is the most United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve lives
County has spread holiday challenging group to shop for. “It’s heartbreaking to see by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Since 1972,
cheer to thousands of less R.S.V.P. volunteer Sharon bare tables for the older age groups, so this year we will the United Way has been working to create long-term social
fortunate children through Leary assisted families as be providing gift cards for teens – but we need donations change and provide support to Martin County residents by
the United Way Holiday they selected presents for to make that happen,” Houwaart-Diez added. investing in programs that strive to: enhance healthy living,
Project. their children. United Way is also conducting a bike drive in improve education, and support financial stability.
With help from hundreds partnership with Zweben Law Group. The goal of the
of volunteers, United Way bike drive is to cover the cost of 300 bikes to be given to
transforms the Martin children in need during distribution. A $60 donation to
County fairgrounds to the effort covers the cost of a bike and helmet thanks to
Santa’s workshop to help a partnership with Beyond Bikes. “There’s nothing more
bring Christmas joy to local magical for a child than waking up on Christmas morning
families in need. As the to find a shiny new bicycle underneath the tree and through
local coordinating agency our efforts we hope 300 children will be able to experience
for Toys for Tots, United that magic,” said Gene Zweben, Zweben Law Group.
Way collects toys from 100 A financial contribution can also cover the cost
Toys for Tots collection sites, of a holiday meal that is provided to families during
then rallies its volunteers distribution.
to sort and categorize toys For more information about the nearby collection sites,
so that parents “shop” volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, please visit Publix Super Markets associates packed bags of groceries
for toys specific to their www.UnitedWayMartin.org/HolidayProject. to provide families with staples for a holiday meal.
children’s interest during a
two-day distribution event. Volunteers from Florida
Participating families, who Power and Light Company,
are referred and screened by Ron Hix and Diane Nguyen
nonprofit organizations and
schools, are also provided with a holiday meal.
“We live in a very giving community,” said United Way
of Martin County CEO Carol G. Houwaart-Diez. “Now is
the time for people to pitch in and help. Our greatest fear
is that we won’t have enough toys and meals for all of the
families we’ll serve this year. We are encouraging people
to shop early so that every toy can be counted and sorted in
time for distribution.”

Top Three Ways To Spread Cheer In Martin 4 pm
County Traditional Candlelight
1. Volunteer
The volunteers behind the United Way Holiday Project Service w/ Communion
spend weeks planning and preparing for the distribution
event, which serves nearly 3,000 children in Martin County. 5:30 pm
Volunteers are needed to sort and categorize toys in advance Contemporary Candlelight
of toy distribution so that parents can easily “shop” for toys
specific to their children’s interest. This is the perfect activity Family Service w/ communion
for a civic group or family.
Hundreds of volunteers are also needed to assist during the 7:30 pm
two-day distribution event on Dec. 18 and 19. To volunteer
during distribution, individuals must be ages 18 and up and Contemporary Candlelight
can serve in 3-hour shifts as personal shoppers, directing & Communion
traffic, distributing food, and more.
11 pm
Traditional Candlelight
w/ Communion

2655 SW Immanuel Drive • Palm City, FL • 34990
Steven Kowalski, Amber Stephan and Shannon Murphy with 772.287.8188 • immanuelpalmcity.org
Merrill Lynch handed out turkeys to families at United Way
Holiday Project distribution.