The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center is calling on individuals, businesses, and philanthropic groups to participate in the annual Harlem Heights Community Gift Drive. This year, nearly 900 local children, from infants to 17-year-olds, are in need of holiday gifts.
The gifts will be distributed to parents on Saturday, December 21 at The Heights Center, keeping the surprise in Christmas for our kids.
“The holiday season is challenging for many families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood,” said Kathryn Kelly, President and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average. This is a great opportunity to bring joy to the children of our community. We are thankful for the generous support of our neighbors.”
Suggested donations are gifts under $25 including action figures, art sets, baseball sets, fishing rods, board games, books, coloring sets, deodorant, lotion, soap, etc. for teens, Disney toys, dolls, educational toys for infants and toddlers, footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, hair accessories, brushes, clips, etc., infant and toddler clothing, Legos, nail polish, perfume, moisturizer, pajamas (all sizes boys and girls), remote control toys, socks and underwear (all sizes boys and girls), and sweatshirts (all sizes boys and girls).
Gifts can be dropped off at The Heights Center (15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers, 33908), or purchased online and delivered directly to The Center. The Heights Foundation offers a convenient Amazon wish list for online contributions (https://a.co/2JNc1ZI). Donations of gift cards from Target or Walmart are appreciated. Monetary donations can be made at www.heightsfoundation.org/donate. All donations are tax deductible. Toys will be collected until Wednesday, December 18.
Organizations and individuals interested in donating can contact Melissa Barlow at (239) 482-7706 or [email protected].
Volunteers are needed to help with event setup and activities on December 14. Those interested in volunteering can contact Olivia Clifton at (239) 482-7706 or via email at [email protected].
About The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center
The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. Our mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts.
The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment. Heights Early Learning serves more than 85 babies through 4 years old. The Heights Center serves 170 children in AfterSchool and 153 children in SummerCamp. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 210 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 78% Hispanic, 16% African-American, and 6% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.
