Bomhoff Law and BGCHC now accepting new unwrapped toys for children in need
Throughout the year, the Boys and Girls Club of Hernando County offers a broad spectrum of care and educational services for kids in need. Yet during the holidays, their mission expands further still—to bring a little Yuletide joy into the lives of these same precious children.
BGCHC, part of a nationwide community service program, provides before and after-school programs at school locations throughout the county and a myriad of other programs for children in need.
The Boys and Girls Club of Hernando County is hosting its annual Toy Drive now through Dec. 13 at the BGCHC office, 336 Beverly Court, Spring Hill. Drive administrators are accepting new, unwrapped toys for families experiencing financial hardship, ages infant through high school. And while Dec. 13 marks the official cutoff date for the toy drive, toy and gift donations will still be accepted throughout the holiday season.
“This event is very close to our hearts,” said Jennifer Harpin, VP and Chief Development Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Hernando County. “Families are struggling to provide for their children—both everyday necessities and–during the holiday season–those presents, toys and meals that kids expect. We want to provide for them.”
A holiday tradition at BGCHC, the toy drive is a direct response to the needs of families served through the Boys and Girls Club program—a need that is particularly great this year and that grows by the day.
“We’ll be serving 150 to 200 families this year,” said Harpin, adding, “All day long, our phones have been ringing off the hook, with requests from families who want to provide a good holiday for their kids.”
Indeed, this widespread holiday-giving effort has been part and parcel of the BGCHC mission since the agency’s inception in 1999.
“Since we’ve been in existence, we’ve conducted toy drives and angel tree projects to ensure that our families get what they need for the holidays,” said Harpin. “It’s very rare that we have to go shopping for toys ourselves. The community always comes through, bringing in the toys we need.”
Moreover, the gift drive stands to benefit young people ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years old.
“Many times, with drives such as these, teens get ignored,” said Harpin. “We cover all of the young people.”
Also, regarding young people, the BGCHC Keystone Teen Club steps in each year to help with the wrapping of donated gifts. The Boys and Girls Club is also receiving aid from Bomhoff Law Firm, which is now accepting new and unwrapped toys on behalf of the agency’s toy drive up until December 20. Bomhoff is located at 13343 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The club has been known to provide grocery store gift cards to families in need of good holiday meals.
“It’s all for the kids,” said Harpin. “And for the Hernando community.” For more information about the Boys and Girls Club of Hernando County Annual Toy Drive, call the Boys and Girls Club at (352) 666-0068.
