INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Youth Guidance Annual Gift Drive is fast approaching and toys will be collected through Dec. 8 at the Youth Guidance office, 1028 20th Place, Vero Beach.
Local businesses, services clubs and churches will be able to help youngsters have a memorable holiday season by donating toys and gifts for this yearly event.
Everyone is invited to bring presents to the Youth Guidance office so that the children have an unforgettable day. Organizations and individuals may also organize and host their own toy drive; Youth Guidance is looking for many drop-off sites for individuals to bring gifts.
A wide assortment of presents and toys are needed for boys and girls ages 5-18. Ideas include gift cards to retail stores, sports equipment, educational electronic games, family board games, art kits and journal and pen sets.
Volunteers are also needed to man the Youth Guidance Toy Shop, a ‘store’ where Youth Guidance parents are able to pick out the donated gifts for their kids, on Dec. 9 and 12-15.
The primary purpose of Youth Guidance is to match each of its nearly 700 at-risk K-
12 grade children with a volunteer mentor 21 years or older and keep youth engaged in positive educational, cultural and recreational year-round activities. Mentors spend just a few hours a week with their mentee doing friendship-based activities that they both enjoy.
The agency is actively seeking volunteers to serve as mentors, tutors, or periodic volunteers at ongoing activities for the unmatched children in the program, 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 traveling display board featuring Youth Guidance children who need Mentors, is available for organizations or businesses to display in their lobbies to help recruit mentors.
Persons interested in participating in the Toy Drive, learning more about the Guidance Gallery or becoming a mentor may visit www.ircyouth.com or call (772) 770-5040 for more information.