Winter Garden Rants, Raves and Reviews partners with Winter Garden Police Department for Christmas Toy Drive

The Winter Garden Rants, Raves and Reviews community Facebook page is joining ranks with the Winter Garden Police Department for a Christmas Toy Drive. 

The fundraiser aims to collect toy donations for over 400 children in the Winter Garden area. 

WGRR&R creator and leader Sean O'Neill said the idea came together last year when he was talking to Officer Bill Bartko about what good things he could do to help out the community.

After Bartko mentioned the toy drive the department does every year, O'Neill decided to get involved and reached out to Officer Gail Michaud. 

"With a group of my size I like to try to do things to help out our community as much as I can and I figured this would be the perfect way to help out those here in Winter Garden," O'Neill explained. "My hope is by bringing attention to this charity organization that there will be no kids in Winter Garden that go without this year."

Every toy collected will go directly to the Winter Garden Police Athletic League, a nonprofit organization that strives to meet its end purpose of fostering and encouraging in the youth community through youth summer programs, tutoring, team sports events and more. 

Last year, the department was able to give Christmas gifts to over 350 children in Winter Garden through fundraisers and generous contributions from the community.

In addition, the department does an outreach program for  families in need who are enrolled in the Orange County Public Schools system where officers are able to provided food vouchers and gift cards to families in need.

Michaud said the department has been running the program since 2010, but they still hear of families who say they have not heard of the program.

"We reached out to Sean to see if he would advertise through the Facebook page, as he has built an incredible platform for in which Winter Garden residents and business can use to be connected," she said. "Our goal is to fulfill the qualified applicant applications request for toys once they have been vetted. We want to ensure that all Winter Garden children are able to enjoy the holiday season with food on the table and be surprise with gifts. We do not cap the applications."

The gifts are required to be new and unwrapped. 

In terms of requirements, applicants must meet the following criteria...
• Winter Garden Resident (current utility bill)
• A legal guardian must register the child (birth certificate/guardianship paperwork)
• Children aged 12 years old or younger
• Receive government assistance (proof of assistance)
• Must have identification (ID card, driver’s license)

O'Neill said he believes it's important for people to help out with the fundraiser because it shows that Winter Garden, as a whole, takes care of each other.

"Even though we might argue and bicker sometimes, we are still family friends and neighbors," the leader explained. "I have seen over and over again those that are in need and a bunch of people that come together for those in need. The people this will help will be some of those that are less fortunate than others this year. Over the last few years with COVID-19 and everything else, some have been hit harder than others and if there is any way that I can utilize my page, with the help of others, to help others that's what I'm going to do."

Participating drop off location include Beverly Hills Pawn, Eggs Up Grill, Gochi Sushi, The Attic Door, The Chef's Table, Daniel's Cheesesteaks and Tres Amigos.

The full list of drop off locations can new viewed on the WGRR&R Facebook page here.

From experience, O'Neill shared that he knows all too well what it's like to go without.

"I've been lucky enough to be successful with this Facebook group page and I think I have the ear of Winter Garden, so if I can help anybody else in need with what I have then that's what I'm going to do," he said. "Every year the same question that gets asked to every parent or kid is 'What do you want for Christmas?' I have to say I'm lucky to tell people that there's really nothing I want, just not really anything I need either. But there are people that aren't as fortunate as me so if I can help them out I'll try to do that."

O'Neill said his ultimate goal it to see if he can organize fundraisers similar to this concept all year long, not just during Christmas time.

The last day for donations will be Friday, Dec. 9. 

Those who have questions can email O'Neill at [email protected] or Michaud at [email protected].