Thursday, November 19, 2009

Local law enforcement agencies are collecting unwrapped holiday toys and monetary donations for needy children and seeking needy families who want a visit from Santa.

Until 3 p.m. Dec. 10, the Key West Police Department's Susan Solares Toys for Tots program is accepting donations and 100 applications from city residents, available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the Police Station's records window, 1604 N. Roosevelt Blvd.

Applicants must bring a photo ID, income verification, rent receipt showing an address, and a Social Security card or birth certificate for each family member.

For more information, call 305-809-1013.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office's Toyz for Keyz Kidz is accepting donations at the sheriff's headquarters on Stock Island and substations in Cudjoe Key, Marathon, Islamorada and Plantation Key. Businesses also can become corporate sponsors for $300 or more.

Two upcoming events will raise money for the program.

Raffle tickets will be on sale when the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce plays softball against the Marathon Jaycees at 7 p.m. Friday at the Marathon Community Park. There also will be a bowl-a-thon from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Fish Bowl at Mile Marker 83 in Islamorada. The per-person cost is $25 and an unwrapped gift.

Toyz for Keyz Kidz will be registering Upper Keys families from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 3 and Dec. 7 at the Roth Building on Plantation Key, 50 High Point Road. Applicants must bring a birth certificate for each child, and income verification for each adult in the household.

For more information, call 305-292-7050 in the Lower Keys, 305-797-0089 in the Middle Keys and 305-853-3211 in the Upper Keys.

For Lower Keys residents, the Salvation Army will accept applications for its Angel Tree program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Friday at its office at 1930 Flagler Ave. in Key West. The application deadline was Friday, but the Salvation Army extended it for these two days in hopes of receiving more applications.

Required documents include a birth certificate for each child and verification of income and expenses.

For more information, call 305-294-5611.