Page 15 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - December '21

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 15
Little Smiles 12th Annual Toy Drive

Strives To Bring More Holiday Cheer To Local Families

In 2020, Little Smiles’ annual holiday toy drive
distributed nearly 10,000 toys impacting over 6,800
families from Palm Beach to Miami Dade counties. The
gifts bring smiles to newborns to 18-year-olds and are
distributed to collection centers for struggling families
to pick up, and directly to Little Smiles’ 32 pediatric
partners that include hospitals with children fighting life-
threatening illnesses, medical day care centers, shelters,
foster care homes and medical support facilities.
“The holidays are a special time of year, especially
for children. We help families who are struggling
financially for a variety of reasons. Our goal is simple,”
said Executive Director Nicole Mercado, “to put smiles
on kids’ faces during the holidays. We give families who
are struggling a helping hand and let kids be kids to enjoy fun events including movie night, arts and crafts, and snack
the magic of the holidays.” breaks. They fulfill individual needs and requests such
Due to the nationwide shortage of toys, widespread Little Smiles provides year-long support bringing joy as providing a toy to help distract a child after surgery,
supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages, those and smiles to the many impacted children, caregivers, pajamas to stay extra comfy during their time at the facility,
considering donating are encouraged to do so as soon as and families at local hospitals and other facilities. The or even a cake and a present to celebrate a birthday during
possible. With the need greater than ever, Little Smiles organization’s donations provide fun events for children their time at one of the facilities.
is making it easier than ever to donate. Ways to donate undergoing a variety of hardships. They provide movie
include texting LITTLESMILES to 44321l, shopping night, arts and crafts, and comfort foods to stock hospital
pantries. In addition, they fulfill individual needs and
online from the Amazon Wishlist, dropping off toys at the requests such as providing a toy to help distract a Jupiter Senior
Little Smiles’ North Pole, located at Harbourside Place in
Jupiter or in locations that can be found at littlesmilesfl. child after surgery, pajamas to stay extra comfy during
their time at the facility, or even a cake and a present
org, throughout Palm Beach County. to celebrate a birthday during their time at one of the Softball News
facilities. For more information visit littlesmilesfl.org.
About Little Smiles Florida Members of the Jupiter Senior Softball Association
Little Smiles is a not-for-profit organization operating (JSSA) paid tribute to those who served in our nation’s
in Palm Beach County and the greater Southeast Florida armed forces in a Veterans Day ceremony. Attended by
region. The charity was founded in 1999 by local more than 60 persons, including a number of veterans.
businessman, Paul L. Donohue, who saw a need and Players gathered around the American flag at a
inspired the community to bring comfort and joy to children Jupiter Community Park ball diamond and heard
and their caregivers at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital. speaker Everett Barber who said Veterans Day is a
Little Smiles now partners with 32 pediatric facilities from time to honor all those who served their nation. “Today,
St. Lucie to Miami that include hospitals, medical day care we give special thanks and lift up the veterans of our
centers, shelters, foster care homes and medical support American armed services who have defended our
facilities. Their mission is to help kids during difficult times. beautiful country,” he said. He also recited a prayer
They provide smiles to children and their support staff with honoring those who served.
The Veterans Day ceremony is a tradition for the
senior softball players and was held the day before
the Nov. 11 national holiday because no games were
scheduled that day. Ron Nolan, a combat veteran of
the Vietnam War, urged veterans to take advantage of
the many services available at the VA Medical Center
in West Palm Beach.
The ceremony ended with Jay Stollman leading
players in singing of the National Anthem. Then it was
“play ball” as slow-pitch softball games got underway
on three fields. The senior softball program is open to
persons 55 and over and is sponsored in cooperation
with the Town of Jupiter. Games are every Monday,
Wednesday and Friday morning beginning at 8:30 a.m.
with batting practice.
New players are welcome, and are needed to fill
team rosters for pickup games and the 2022 Winter
League that begins Jan. 10. To register online or for
Act Now and Do the more information go to www.leaguelneup.com/jssa.

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