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Tag: Toys for Tots

A Paradise Realty collects Toys for Tots

A Paradise Realty collects Toys for Tots

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – The holiday season is a time for giving, and that’s exactly what was going on at A Paradise Reality last Friday as the staff held their Toys for Tots drive and holiday party. The event coincided with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s tree lighting ceremony, which brought hundreds of people to the area.

“We raffled off a Yeti and made $2,100 for Toys for Tots,” Director of Marketing Sharon Hoatland said. “They’ve already dropped off three loads of toys for Toys for Tots. It’s great.”

Bob Slicker of Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez provided food for the event and Tonya McCormick provided live music, making the party even more festive. Although they were seeking as many toys as possible at the party, A Paradise Realty will accept donations of new, unwrapped toys through Friday, Dec. 15 at their office at 5201 Gulf Drive. Cash donations are also welcome and 100% of donations go to purchase toys for the campaign.

“This is our sixth annual party and we have always been involved one way or the other, but this seems to be the most successful,” Hoatland said.

Toys for Tots has a close relationship with the U.S. Marine Corps and Marine Corps League 588 was on hand at A Paradise Reality assisting with the event. The Marine Corps also assists with the distribution of the toys.

For more information on Toys for Tots and their mission and relationship with the Marine Corps, visit www.toysfortots.org.

Duffy’s “Toys for Tots Night” helps to fill Santa’s sack

Duffy’s ‘Toys for Tots Night’ helps to fill Santa’s sack

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – It was tough to get a parking spot and every seat was full inside and out at Duffy’s on Friday, Dec. 10 for the 6th Annual Toys for Tots Night.

There was live music by Caroline McKeon, Dave Besley, Scott Blum, Chuck Caudill and Robby Cox for the large crowd to tap their feet to and sing along with while they helped brighten the season for area children in need. 

“Because of COVID, we didn’t do the music last year, but we still took donations,” said Peggi Davenport, owner of Duffy’s. “This year’s been great, the Marines came today and picked up a big load of toys that have been coming in for the past couple of weeks.”

Caudill is an area musician and key player in getting this event started seven years ago. In addition to helping get the toys coming in each year, he gets musician friends to come to play each year, and none of them charge a fee. 

“I come in here a lot and hang out, and I noticed they were collecting for Toys for Tots,” Caudill said. “I told them they should do an event and have music in here, and they agreed. We got it started and it’s been a success every year.”

All Toys for Tots donation locations and boxes are picked up and distributed by the U.S. Marine Corps. If you see a donation location or would like to stop by Duffy’s and make a donation, you may have a few more days to do so. Just bring a new, unwrapped toy and drop it off. It’s easy and will put a smile on an area child’s face this Christmas.

A Paradise Realty among those collecting Toys for Tots

A Paradise Realty among those collecting Toys for Tots

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals will host a Holiday Open House that also serves as a Toys for Tots collection drive at their Holmes Beach office at 5201 Gulf Drive from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3.

The open house will feature wine donated by Hurricane Hanks and appetizers donated by Hanks and Slicker’s Eatery. The fundraising efforts will include a raffle for a Yeti cooler filled with holiday cheer, with the proceeds going to Toys for Tots. Donations can also be made with checks made out to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Performing solo, Ted Stevens will provide the live music.

A Paradise Realty is one of several Island-area businesses accepting new, unwrapped toys for underprivileged youngsters through Wednesday, Dec. 15. The other locations include Hurricane Hanks (5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach), Slicker’s Eatery (12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez), the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce (5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach), Duffy’s Tavern (5808 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach), the Holmes Beach Post Office (5354 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach), Grooms Motors & Automotive (5608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach), The Waterline Resort (5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach), The Feast (5406 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach), Publix (3900 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach), The Center of AMI (407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria), the Anna Maria Post Office (101 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria) and the AMI Sun office (3909 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach). The A Paradise Realty office at 945 25th Drive E., Suite 10, in Ellenton also serves as a collection point.

For more information, please call Sharon at 941-729-2381 or email sharon@paradiserealty.com.