ORLANDO, Fla. – Christmas is only a few days away, but on Saturday morning, more than a thousand kids got bikes, toys and a chance to pick out other gifts outside the Northwest Community Center.
It was all thanks to the Athlete Connections Foundation, an Orlando city commissioner and other community partners.
“Sometimes people can struggle to get gifts for their children, so I’m thankful we go to events and get gifts,” said 11-year-old Kevoina Farmer.
Her mom told us these gifts were right on time.
“We’re just glad that they’re looking out for us,” Kevoina’s mom Sharon said.
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More than 3,000 toys were on hand to give away to more than a thousand kids Saturday morning. It was for families near Mercy Drive and Orlando’s Westside.
Athlete Connections Foundation is aimed at inspiring kids through sports to learn life skills. Dan Cross is the founder.
“I’m the oldest of five and didn’t always have toys and gifts under the Christmas tree, so it just does my heart well. It’s my way of giving back to life, giving back to the community and just doing something good,” Cross said.
You can find out more about the Athlete Connections Foundation at its website.
It was also in partnership with Orlando District 5 City Commissioner Regina Hill, who said it’s important to make sure every child has a reason to smile on Christmas.
“When they see their kids going out on bikes and having a gift, they know that they haven’t been forgotten,” Hill said.
This giveaway started in 2020 after a fire left several families homeless at the nearby Jernigan Gardens Apartments. We covered the fire when it happened and spoke with residents who were affected just days before Christmas.
“We started there with over 500 toys, now today we have over 3,000 toys,” Hill said.
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