The South Florida community generously donated 14,000 toys (and counting!) to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital on Saturday during its annual Spread Joy Toy Drive, with a total estimated toy value of over $350,000. Each year, the holiday tradition brings together corporate partners and individuals who donate new, unwrapped toys to help bring extra cheer to patients who are admitted at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital during the holidays and throughout the year.

“We are blown away by the incredible generosity of our community, as well as our corporate sponsors and volunteers, who made this year’s Spread Joy toy drive so successful,” said Lauren Tulowitzki, director of Annual Giving at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It can be challenging when children are admitted to the hospital through the holidays, and these donated toys will absolutely make a difference! It’s so magical to see the joy, smiles and comfort that these toys bring to our patients and families.”

On the eight days of Hanukkah and on Christmas morning, every patient admitted at Nicklaus Children’s will wake up with a gift bag of toys and other goodies tailored to their age range. The remaining toys are used throughout the year for patients and their siblings as birthday presents and prizes, milestone gifts, going-home gifts, and for therapy and education.

This year, the toy drive was sponsored by Delta, Pacin Levine Attorneys at Law, CVS Pharmacy y Más, Dunkin’, Shake Shack and Jersey Mike’s. During Saturday’s toy drop-off at the hospital, the musical entertainment was provided by Y-100 and 93.9 MIA, both iHeartMedia radio stations.

In addition to the drop-off, there are many more ways to support Nicklaus Children’s patients and families this time of year, including purchases from our Amazon lists and the Virtual Toy Drive, which has so far raised $13,000 for the purchase more toys for patients!

Learn more and help spread joy to Nicklaus Children’s patients at www.nicklauschildrens.org/spreadjoy.