By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The Coral Gables Firefighters Benevolent Association has launched its annual Holiday Toy Drive, inviting residents to donate new, unwrapped toys that will be delivered to children across South Florida in the days leading up to Christmas. The drive, a longtime community tradition, runs through Friday, December 19, with drop-off boxes stationed at all three Coral Gables fire stations.

This year, the association has expanded its efforts through a new partnership with Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables, allowing for additional collection points and broader outreach. Fire officials say the added collaboration reflects the drive’s growing scale and the city’s commitment to supporting children facing hardship during the holiday season.

A community effort with a personal touch

The bright collection banners outside the city’s fire stations mark only the first step in a hands-on operation. Once the collection period ends, the Coral Gables Fire Cadets—the department’s youth training program modeled on similar initiatives across Miami-Dade—will take on one of the most anticipated roles of the season: wrapping the donated gifts.

The cadets, many of whom hope to pursue careers in public safety, volunteer each year to sort and package toys before they are delivered. Lieutenant leaders in the program say the wrapping day is often the moment cadets begin to appreciate the civic weight of their work.

From there, firefighters will personally deliver the gifts to children in local foster homes, homeless shelters, and to young patients admitted at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. The deliveries are made in full uniform—sometimes even accompanied by fire engines—turning what could be a difficult holiday for many children into an unforgettable moment of joy.

Meeting a growing seasonal need

Across Miami-Dade, holiday toy drives run by first responders have become an essential support system for families navigating economic stress. Coral Gables firefighters say they see firsthand how much these donations matter, especially for children in transitional or medical settings.

“Every toy represents a child who deserves to feel remembered,” firefighters often note during the drive. The Benevolent Association, which focuses year-round on charitable and community-support efforts, identifies this program as one of its most impactful each year.

How to participate

Residents wishing to take part in the toy drive can drop off new, unwrapped gifts at any of the following three Coral Gables fire stations through Friday, December 19:

• Public Safety Building – 2151 Salzedo St.
• Fire Station 2 – 525 S. Dixie Hwy.
• Fire Station 3 – 11911 Old Cutler Rd.

Donation boxes are located inside each station lobby during regular operating hours.

A tradition rooted in service

The Coral Gables Firefighters Benevolent Association has supported community programs for decades—from scholarship efforts to emergency-aid assistance—but the annual toy drive remains one of its most visible expressions of civic service. Residents who have donated in past years often describe the event as a reminder of the city’s neighbor-to-neighbor culture.

As the boxes begin to fill once again, firefighters say they hope the community will help match last year’s strong turnout. For many children who will receive these gifts, the gesture is more than a present—it is a message of care during a season meant for hope.