- April 18, 2024
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Florida Oral & Facial Surgical Associates and Operation Changing Lives have begun their annual toy drive for children in Volusia and Flagler Counties. Toys are being collected until the end of November. Families can drop off toys at either the Daytona Beach office at 549 Health Boulevard or the Palm Coast office at 21 Hospital Drive, Suite 180.
The Operation Changing Lives toy drive started 12 years ago as a way to help low-income families in the area who struggle to give Christmas gifts to their children. Today the staff at Florida Oral & Facial Surgical Associates partners with more than 10 local schools and guidance counselors to identify children in need of some holiday cheer.
“Nothing makes us happier than putting smiles back on people’s faces and there are no bigger smiles than those of a child who gets a toy they never dreamed of having,” said Dr. Curtis J. Schalit. “We started this as a way to share the spirit of the holidays with families in our community, and never imagined it would grow this large.”
The 10th annual Operation Changing Lives 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday, Nov. 23 to raise money for the cause. For more information on the event or to register, visit runsignup.com.
McDonald's at Palm Coast Landing near Town Center, 5190 East Moody Blvd., hosted an in-store fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 to support the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation, donating a percentage of all sales during those dinner hours.
The McDonald’s team donated $500 to support the AdventHealth Palm Coast Judith C. Macko Cancer Resource Center. The center offers an extensive collection of books, brochures, articles and videotapes about cancer. Cancer patients and their families, and community members, such as health professionals, students, and teachers, are welcome to use all of the library's free services. In addition, cancer patients can receive wigs, head coverings, mastectomy bras and prostheses, all free of charge.
“We’re honored McDonald’s chose to partner with us,” said AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation director John Subers. “Jennifer Hodges, their guest services manager, visited our Judith C Macko Cancer Resource a few weeks ago and was so moved by the good work our volunteers do to serve those fighting cancer in our community that they immediately offered to help.”
“We are excited to support our local community and know these funds raised will be used to support those who are going through cancer,” said Jason Blanton, McDonald's at Palm Coast Landing’s director of operations.
The Nearly New thrift store held its Unique Boutique fundraising event on Oct. 5 at the Santa Maria del Mar Church Parish Hall. More than 160 shoppers were able to purchase clothing, purses and jewelry donated to the thrift store. Shoppers were able to enjoy wine, delicious hor d’oeuvres and desserts while they browsed. There was also a silent auction of name-brand items and a raffle of themed baskets created with the thrift store's items.
Numerous local businesses supported this fundraising event: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Adams Rehab Solutions, Albert Esposito & Associates, Aldi, Dr. Antonio Vicencio III, Arctic Breeze, Barbara Fernandez Flach Mary Key Consultant, Blooming Flowers and Gifts, Clymer Funeral Home, Coastal Palm Insurance Agency, Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, Dolphin Printing & Design, Ed Pruitt, Jr. from Edward Jones, FL Custom Kitchen & Bath, Flagler Dental Associates, Gail E. Lampert, Gerling Travel, Hayward Brown Flagler, Knights of Columbus Notre Dame Council #10514, Marge Ankrom from RealLiving, The Pink Turtle Gift Shoppe, Rentaland, Rodie’s Place, RPS Catering, SeaCasas, Steve Fishbein from Fairway Mortgage and Tomoka Eye.
Money raised from the event supports the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Santa Maria del Mar Conference, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit international voluntary organization in the Catholic Church. In 2018 the society helped around 650 families in Flagler County with living essentials such as utility bills and emergency food needs. For more information on the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Santa Maria del Mar Conference, contact Conference President Linda Kuepper at 693-4806.
