There are SO MANY options for Holiday donations, Christmas giving, Volunteering for Christmas Charities, or doing good deeds during the Holiday Season. You can find a Christmas toy drive near you, donate Christmas presents for kids, provide food for a family in need, or make a point to perform random acts of kindness.
Do you get overwhelmed by all the options? We do too. In hopes of making life easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of ways you can make a difference this Christmas season. You don’t need to do them all, just pick one and you will make a difference for a child or a family in our community.
This list includes things you can do for free (such as giving compliments, volunteering, or making Christmas cards), places to donate toys for Christmas, all the way to “adopting” a child’s wish list or adopting a family to make their holiday special. If you’ve been looking for somewhere colleting Christmas donations near you in Lakeland and Polk County, this list can help you find an organization you’d like to support.
Whether you have $1 or $100 to give this holiday season, every act of generosity matters. We are firm believers that every little bit of happiness passed along helps make a difference in this world. {And let’s be honest… in 2023, we can ALL use a little more kindness in our lives!}
**We will continue to add organizations to this list. Contact us if you would like to be included. We realize there are MANY organizations giving back in our community, since our mission is to serve children and families, that is the main focus of this list.**
Are you looking for Christmas assistance? We have a separate article with information on how to apply for assistance with Christmas toys.
Don’t miss our 2024 Christmas Events + Holiday Activities Guide for a full list of things to do this holiday season in Lakeland and Polk County including Christmas Light Displays, Santa Photos, Christmas Tree Lots, Christmas Parades, Holidays Concerts, Live Performances, Holiday Markets, Ice Skating, Toy Donation Needs, and more.
Random Acts of Kindness
25 Random Acts of Kindness – Christmas Advent Calendar
Count down to Christmas with 25 Random Acts of Kindness for kids and families. If you’ve been looking for simple ways to slow down and focus on the joys of giving during the holiday season, we’re here to help with ideas that cost little to no money.
Places to Donate Toys for Christmas Near You
Rudolph Round-Up – Heartland for Children
Heartland for Children’s Rudolph Round-Up serves over 1,500 local children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. Heartland for Children oversees a comprehensive child welfare network that includes protective services, foster care, adoptions, independent living, prevention, mental health, family preservation, family support services and other related services. {Read our article to learn more about the need for Foster Caregivers in Polk County}.
Donation needs: Become a RUDOLPH CHAMPION and commit to making a difference in the life of a child this holiday season by:
- Sponsoring an individual child by purchasing gifts on his or her wish list
- Sponsoring a holiday toy drive individually, through your business, organization, school or faith community
- Making a monetary contribution to help purchase items off a wish list
- Donating toys for a child, in lieu of an office or family gift exchange
- Purchase gifts from the Heartland for Children Target Toy Registry and Amazon Toy Registry
For more information or to find out current needs, please visit the Heartland for Children website, email rudolph@heartlandforchildren.org or call (863) 519-8900 ext. 214.
Kate’s Story Foundation Christmas Toy Drive
Kate’s Story Foundation was established in Lakeland in 2017 with the hope to change the lives of children who are hospitalized. By raising funds and collecting community donations, they are able to deliver toys and other gifts to local children who are in the hospital.
This year Kate’s Story Foundation will be providing for the children hospitalized at Lakeland Regional Health and those seeking medical treatment at Nemours Children’s Health Lakeland, in the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children, as well as children who will be hospitalized at Nemours Children’s Health in Orlando.
Donation needs: Donations should be new, unopened, not wrapped, and latex free. A list of suggested items can be found on the flyer.
Donation Drop Off Locations: See the list on the Facebook event page
Salvation Army of Lakeland / West Polk
The Salvation Army serves thousands of children in need in the Lakeland area through their Angel Tree program. You can help bring joy to a child this Christmas.
How to donate: Angels are also available for adoption – please call 863-853-2214. Christmas Trees with Angel Tree wish lists will also be located in local Walmart stores and local businesses around town, the Lakeland Square Mall, WingHouse South Lakeland, and Bealls. Salvation Army also welcomes donations of new, unwrapped toys.
Drop off donations at: The Salvation Army – 2455 Jim Galloway Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810
Salvation Army of Winter Haven
In addition to their year-round assistance programs, the Salvation Army Angel Tree program of Winter Haven/East Polk County helps families in need by providing new clothing and toys to 900 children each year.
How to donate: You can shop directly on Walmart for items on the Salvation Army of Winter Haven’s wish list. Angel Trees with wish lists will be also located in local Walmart stores and local businesses around town, look for them soon. Salvation Army is also accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys.
Drop off donations: The Salvation Army – 1898 Hwy. 17 North, Winter Haven FL 33881 – Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm
Volunteer with the Salvation Army: See options below including how to sign up to ring the Red Kettle Bell.
Toys for Tots Polk County
The Marine Corp Toys for Tots Program is managed by dedicated United States Marines and local volunteers. Polk County Toys for Tots served over 14,000 local children last year! They provide supplemental Christmas toys to children from newborn through age 12, with the goal of providing one large and one small gift for each child.
Donation needs: NEW, UNWRAPPED toys
Drop off donations: Any Toys for Tots collection box
Cops for Kids – Lakeland Police Department
Cops for Kids is coordinated by the Lakeland Police Department. Christmas toys are provided to children age 12 & under. Approximately 400 local children whose families have applied for the program will receive gifts through Cops for Kids.
Donation needs: New, unwrapped toy donations for children up to 12 years of age.
Drop off donations from early November through mid-December at:
- Lakeland Police Station: 219 N. Massachusetts Ave.
- Lakeland Libraries (Main & Jackson Branch): 100 Lake Morton Dr. and 1700 N. Florida Ave.
- City Hall: 228 S. Massachusetts Ave.
- Lakeland Electric: 501 E Lemon St.
- Kelly Recreation Complex: 404 Imperial Blvd.
Lakeland Fire Department Toy Drive
The Lakeland Fire Department holds a toy drive each year to benefit the Children’s Home Society of Florida and the Dream Center of Lakeland, who will distribute the collected gifts to Lakeland’s children in need. The LFD Toy Drive runs from mid-November to mid-December each year.
Donation needs: New, unwrapped toys
Drop off donations at: Any of LFD’s 7 fire stations or the Fire Administration Building. Station locations can be found at lakelandgov.net/lfd or by calling (863) 834-8200.
One More Child – Operation Merry Christmas
One More Child serves children in need in the foster care system, children’s homes, single moms, and their Compassion Ministries. This special time of year is especially difficult for children who are separated from their family, as well as parents, who are providing the best they can for their children but just need a little help along the way.
Donation needs: New, unwrapped toys for school-aged children, and new, unwrapped clothes for infants, toddlers and school-aged children.
How to Donate: Take a look at the wishlist on the Operation Merry Christmas page. You can bring an item from the toy wish list to the drop-off location OR send a gift from the Amazon registry and have it delivered directly!
Drop off donations at: Harold Clark Simmons Compassion Center – 1015 Sikes Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33815
Riley’s Reindeers
The mission of Riley’s Reindeers is to share holiday cheer with families in need so that no child goes without a gift on Christmas. Originally started by a U.S. Navy veteran, their work is inclusive of all families; support is provided regardless of financial status, family structure, identity, and residency.
Donation needs: New and gently used toys for children and teen gifts are welcome. Learn more on the Riley’s Reindeers website.
Community Service Centers + Care Centers
Mulberry Community Service Center Holiday Donations
The Mulberry Community Service Center is a non-profit organization working to create financially stable households. They provide food and clothing distribution, bill payment assistance, and financial education resources to residents of Mulberry, Nichols, Pine Lake, Willow Oaks, Fuller Heights, Imperial Lakes, Bradley and southeast Lakeland (ZIP Code 33813). If you live in one of these areas, contact the Mulberry Community Service Center at 863-425-1523 to learn how you can help support families in your community.
Bartow Church Service Center Christmas Donations
The Bartow Church Service Center provides emergency services year-round for those in Bartow and the Bartow school district. They attempt to meet the emergency needs of individuals on a temporary basis with food, clothing, meals, household items, gas, utilities, rent, transportation vouchers, housing, financial education services and much more. They also distribute food at Thanksgiving and toys at Christmas. If you live in the Bartow area, contact the Bartow Church Service Center at (863) 533-5822 to learn how you can help support families in your community.
Frostproof Care Center Christmas Donations
The Frostproof Care Center serves people in the rural southeastern corner of Polk County, Florida, including Frostproof and Babson Park. The Care Center helps individuals and families by meeting immediate and urgent physical needs caused by sudden trauma, disaster or economic instability and providing transitional services, education and mentoring to help them “get back on their feet.” They also distribute food at Thanksgiving and toys at Christmas. If you live in the Frostproof area, contact the Frostproof Care Center at 863-635-5555 to learn how you can help support families in your community.
Lake Wales Care Center Holiday Donations
If you live in Lake Wales or a nearby community, the Lake Wales Care Center provides year-round assistance as well as holiday help to hundreds of families during the holiday season through the annual food drive and holiday meals, Christmas gifts that are provided to children, and more. Learn more about donations and volunteer opportunities on the LWCC Website.
Christmas Food Donations
The Community Service Centers and Care Centers listed above all accept food donations year round, the organizations listed below also accept non-perishable food donations.
Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE)
Established in 1983, the primary goal of VISTE is to enable frail elderly persons to continue living independently and safely in their own home. Serves eldery clients in Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry and Ft. Meade.
Donation needs: Non-perishable food items to provide supplemental boxes of groceries to 1500 clients monthly, and personal care items. Visit the VISTE website to see a current wish list of needs.
Drop off donations at: VISTE’s office Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm, located at 1232 E Magnolia St, Lakeland, FL 33801
One More Child
Serves: To sustain the Child Hunger and Family Support Services program and provide for families, food and household items are needed year round. Visit the website for a list of current needs.
Drop off donations at: Harold Clark Simmons Compassion Center – 1015 Sikes Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33815
Christmas Volunteer Opportunities Near You
Ring the Bell – Salvation Army Red Kettle
The entire family can ring a bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle starting in mid-November through December 24. This is a great volunteer opportunity to do with children. Shifts are typically 2 hours long, between 10am – 7pm. Students can receive volunteer hours. Register at registertoring.com. {This website makes it super easy to sign up – you put in your zip code, select the specific store/location, dates you are available, and it pulls up a list of available times}.
Salvation Army of Winter Haven
- Volunteer at Angel Tree Toy Shop – Volunteer in the Angel Tree workshop/distribution site. Volunteers check in all incoming gifts, toys, clothes, bikes, etc. and sort gifts. Volunteers will also fill each Angel’s bag (if not adopted) with gifts, toys and clothes, etc.
- Volunteer at Distribution Days – Applicants will come to the Salvation Army church building to pick-up their gifts. Volunteers will assist us with locating gifts in the toy shop and getting them loaded into vehicles.
- Call (863) 294-7493 to sign up to volunteer – visit the website to learn more. (The Salvation Army is not just a Christmas Charity – they provide assistance year round and have volunteer opportunities throughout the year)
United Way of Central Florida
United Way of Central Florida builds stronger communities through volunteerism. They meet critical needs through volunteer service and civic engagement in their partnership with many of our local non-profits. Visit their website to see current volunteer opportunities and sign up to volunteer.
Florida Baptist Children’s Homes and One More Child
There are many ways to be involved at Florida Baptist Children’s Homes during the holidays and year round, Volunteers are needed weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm and we can accommodate Saturday groups by request. Typically, age minimum is 14 years old but under-aged children are welcome IF they are accompanied by an adult. You can also go straight to the volunteer application, submit and someone will contact you! Click here for the volunteer application.
Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE)
VISTE has holiday and year-round volunteer needs. You and your children can decorate birthday bags, bake birthday cakes, deliver groceries, or deliver hot meals to seniors living in their own homes. Click here to learn more about becoming a VISTE Volunteer!
Each year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, VISTE delivers Thanksgiving meals to elderly clients. Registration is required this year. Click here for more details on the VISTE Thanksgiving Delivery.
Feeding Tampa Bay
Feeding Tampa Bay is working hard to ensure our neighbors have the food they need during this critical time. Volunteers are needed year-round. Visit their website to find upcoming volunteer opportunities in Polk County, or call 813.254.1190.
Polk County Parks & Recreation
Volunteers needed for Holiday Events for Kids. Click here to see current openings. Great opportunities for teens ages 14+ and adults.
Volunteer Polk
Volunteer Polk has a huge variety of volunteer opportunities, both during the holidays and year round. Click here to see a full list of current opportunities. Call (863) 534-5580 for more details.
Donate gifts for Seniors
Be A Santa To A Senior – Lakeland – Polk County
Be a Santa to a Senior® with Home Instead in Lakeland, FL. Visit the Facebook page to find a participating gift tree location, select a bulb with an aging adult’s name and gift request. Purchase the gift listed and place it in the designated box for delivery. There are multiple locations in Lakeland making it easy to find a donation location near you.
Financial Donations
Salvation Army Red Kettles
You’re bound to come across the signature Red Kettles and Bell Ringers regularly in the next few weeks, make a point to put cash or change into one this holiday season. For the times you don’t put money in, it’s ok!
Keep this in mind: “When you see someone ringing the bell for The Salvation Army this season, it’s okay to make eye contact. You do not have to duck and run. We volunteer to help where we can, not to judge. Say “hello,” “Merry Christmas,” or “thanks for volunteering”. I don’t put money in the bucket EVERY time I walk by either. It’s okay!” (posted by a wise friend on Facebook)
Community Organizations
If you prefer to donate money instead of donating items, all of the organizations listed above also accept financial donations to be used to fulfill last minute Christmas toy needs.
This list is not all-inclusive – we couldn’t begin to make a full list of organizations that need financial donations. There are NUMEROUS organizations meeting needs in the Lakeland community, and we want you to give towards something you are excited about. A great starting point is our huge list of Community Resources.
If you are looking to make a financial donation to a local non-profit but aren’t sure which one, contact us directly and we can help you find an organization that matches your passion.
Gently Used Donations
Organizations that collect Christmas Toys require them to be brand new, but many local charities collect gently used toys, clothing, household items, and more all year round for other uses. Are you doing any last-minute purging of toys, stuffed animals, and household items before you have company for the holidays? If so, we’ve got an entire article with a list of places to donate gently used items! Click here to see Donation Locations.
Do you know of another organization accepting Christmas donations or volunteers? Whether the need is specifically at the holidays or year round, send us a note through our contact us form so we can make a note for next year and any other features we do about donations and volunteering.
Christmas Events + Holiday Activities
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events + Holiday Activities to find more things to do including Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays, FREE Christmas Events, Santa Photos, Christmas Parades, and more.