Windermere High, Olympia High athletics hosting toy drives at Dec. 13 games

At both the Titans boys soccer game at Windermere High and the Wolverines boys basketball game at Olympia High, there will be charity toy drives to benefit nonprofits.

By Sam Albuquerque
| 7:00 a.m. December 9, 2024

Sports
High Schools

Windermere High and Olympia High will both host a holiday charity toy drive at a home athletic event against the other school Friday, Dec. 13.

Starting at 7 p.m., the new-look Titans (4-3) boys basketball team will not only welcome the Wolverines (5-1) to Mount Olympus for a rivalry game between two of West Orange and Southwest Orange's top programs but — with help from Olympia's Student Government Association — the Titans are also asking those in attendance to bring and donate a new and unwrapped toy to help families in need during the holiday season.

The Black Out Toy Drive, which gets its name because Titans fans are encouraged to wear all black during the game, benefits Baby DJ — a nonprofit founded by local radio talk show host Johnny Magic.

Founded 33 years ago, Baby DJ's mission is "to assist families in need and make it possible for economically disadvantaged families to be able to provide a wonderful holiday experience for their children," according to the nonprofit's website.

On the flip side, starting at 7:30 p.m., the Windermere boys soccer team (7-1) will host the Titans (3-1-3) in a rivalry matchup and holiday toy drive of their own benefiting national nonprofit organization Toys for Tots.

With the help of children's rights advocate group and nonprofit, The Very Gary Foundation, those planning on attending the toy drive/soccer game are asked to bring and donate a new, store-bought and unopened toy or book.

Those who donate will be entered into a drawing at halftime for a chance to win four tickets to the Orlando Magic game against the Utah Jazz Sunday, Jan. 5. The seats are located eight rows behind the Magic bench. Please note that you must be present at halftime to claim your prize.

Along with the drawing at halftime, Windermere High is doing even more to make sure that the toy drive is a success by incentivizing its students to donate by offering one community service hour for every toy donated, up to five hours — students interested in taking advantage of the off should see Mr. Campbell for more information.

author

Sam Albuquerque

A native of João Pessoa, Brazil, Sam Albuquerque moved in 1997 to Central Florida as a kid. After earning a communications degree in 2016 from the University of Central Florida, he started his career covering sports as a producer for a local radio station, ESPN 580 Orlando. He went on to earn a master’s degree in editorial journalism from Northwestern University, before moving to South Carolina to cover local sports for the USA Today Network’s Spartanburg Herald-Journal. When he’s not working, you can find him spending time with his lovely wife, Sarah, newborn son, Noah, and dog named Skulí.