7th Annual LeGit’s Downtown Toy Drive Block Party Raises Thousands For Area Children
Toys, gift cards, donations and more distributed this week!
FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA: Children in the care of Mustard Seed Ministries, New Horizons of the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee, and Suncoast Mental Health Center all received extra big smiles this Christmas season thanks to the combined efforts of families, small businesses, friends and sponsors. More than 15 families and countless children received bikes, computers, scooters, clothing, and all their wishes at 7th Annual LeGit Cut’s Downtown Toy Drive Block Party. Relocated to Causeway Cove Marina, the Block Party was bigger and better than ever with car loads of families and friends stopped in at the Marina for the donation of an unwrapped toy or gift card.
Guests were treated to the talents of area children and teens with special performances by Club Pure and their dance teans, DJ Kyrell, Dorian Bridges and break out star Jaylen Parrish who wowed the crowd on his keyboard. These acts provided the most high energy, spirited Christmas celebration in town!
There’s no Christmas Party without Santa and Mrs. Claus and thanks to sponsors We Be Poppin’ the pair were on hand throughout the evening for complimentary photos and wish list reveals from the hundreds of children in attendance. Professional photography was provided by the Treasure Coast Photography Center who sent their pros to capture the smiles and spirit of the season. “It’s a great opportunity to get the community together to celebrate the real reason for the holiday season. It’s the best seeing the smiles, the talent, all the families having fun. The best feeling, coming together.” said Jose Ruiz, LeGit’s Downtown Toy Drive Block Party founder and host of the event.
During a special surprise, the Fort Pierce Police Department came and arrested the Grinch (provided by Heather Price Realtor) who was trying to steal toys and joy all night long. As he was being placed into the police cruiser, the kids screamed with delight for his release! They wanted to share the spirit of the season with the green guy.
Local food trucks including Big Worms’ BBQ, Off the Hook Seafood, and We Be Poppin’ were dishing out goodies throughout the event. Special stockings and goodie bags were given to the kids for being good all year.
In all, thousands of toys were dropped off at various locations around St. Lucie County including LeGit Cut’s Barbershop in Downtown Fort Pierce, the event’s original site. In addition, the event raised close to $2,500 which was used to help fulfill the wish lists of 15 families identified by each non-profit’s case management team as having most need. Maria Romo, case manager at Suncoast Mental Health Center was able to provide a family with all the items on their wish list. The mother thanked LeGit’s Downtown Toy Drive Block Party for the gifts, while the father shared, “I appreciate you worrying about my children, and the parents as well since we weren’t going to be able to do anything for them. Merry Christmas.”
Save the dates are already in place for 2022! December 10 will mark the 8thanniversary and while the team loves the Block, there’s nothing quite like a Causeway Cove party. Plan to follow their social channels (Facebook: facebook.com/downtowntoydriveblockparty; Instagram: legits.downtown.toy.drive) for updates throughout the year. Happy New Year 2022!
Photo credits: MaryAnn Ketcham
The team from LeGit’s sorted thousands of toys after their successful toy drive block party in 2021. Here, Christa Stone (event co-founder), Lisa Rymer (New Horizons), Deb Pizzimenti (event co-founder), Jose Ruiz (event founder), Tricia Cote (Suncoast), Stacy Malinowski (Mustard Seed), Marquita Woods (Suncoast), and Robert Campbell (Suncoast) stop for a pic during the sort.
Photo credits: Treasure Coast Photography Center
TDBP MrsClaus…: Mrs. Claus stops for a high five from B Nerdz dancer at the Toy Drive Block Party 2021.
TDBP Stacy…: Event founder Jose Ruiz from LeGit Cut’s Barbershop gets in a hug from two of the events benefactors Stacy Malinowski from Mustard Seed and Lisa Rymer from New Horizons.
TDBP Wonder…: A little boy was quite taken with Santa at the Toy Drive Block Party in 2021.
TDBP Crowd…: The crowd watches as Club Pure’s B Nerdz Dance Team takes the stage during the Block Party in 2021.
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