INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Youth Guidance Annual Toy Drive will be held November 1 through December 9 at the Youth Guidance office, 1028 20th Street, Vero Beach. Local businesses, services clubs and churches will be able to help children have a memorable holiday season by donating toys and gifts for this event. Cunningham’s and Wldo’s will hold special events on November 25 and December 9; see below for details. A variety of presents and toys are needed for ages 5-18. Ideas include gift cards to retail stores, pre-paid cell phones, sports equipment, MP3 players and boys and girls clothing (ages 13-16).
Cunningham’s will have a Youth Guidance benefit on Wednesday, November 25 starting at 8:30 p.m. They will waive their Comedy Night admission for individuals who bring an unwrapped gift and will donate any paid admissions to Youth Guidance. The Cunningham’s fundraiser will have great food and raffles, including a Steelers/ Dolphins game package.
The toy drive will wrap up with a Christmas for the Kids event at Waldo’s on Wednesday, December 9, from 7 to 10 p.m. For every toy given, patrons will receive one raffle ticket to win a Waldo’s VIP card, good for 20% off their entire check for a year. There will be drink specials and entertainment by the live band Voo Doo Juice. Toys can be dropped off any time after December 1 to get a raffle ticket.
The primary purpose of Youth Guidance is to match each of its 700 at-risk K-12 children with a volunteer mentor 17 years and older. Mentors spend just a few hours a week with their mentee. The agency is actively seeking volunteers to serve as mentors, tutors or periodic volunteers at a special activity or to provide regular help in the office. Youth Guidance is also looking for partnerships with businesses, service clubs and church groups to pair with their unmatched children for just one activity a year. The Guidance Gallery, a board featuring 80 Youth Guidance children who need mentors, is available for organizations or businesses to display in their lobbies to help recruit mentors.
Information: Call Barbara Schlitt Ford, Executive Director, at 772-770-5040 or visit www.ircyouth.com or
