PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Local 10′s Big Bus Toy Express collected more than 10,000 toys and over $30,000 in cash donations on Friday to benefit children in need in South Florida during this Christmas.
U.S. Marines and a Miami Big Bus crew made nine pickup stops from Miami-Dade to Broward counties. Joanne Tosi was among the donors who delivered toys.
“I think about the children and Christmas time is just so special,” Tosi said. “It’s just very dear to my heart.”
The first pickup was at 6 a.m. in Kendall and Dunkin’ Donuts, a sponsor of the mission, gave free coffee and donuts to the early risers who showed up with a toy.
In Miami-Dade, the bus also stopped for pickups in Doral, downtown Miami, and Aventura. Once in Broward, there were stops in Pembroke Pines, Davie, Sunrise, and Coral Springs.
The big delivery benefits Toys for Tots, a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve program founded in 1947. The Marines hope to have enough toys at their Hialeah warehouse to benefit 345 nonprofit organizations.
It’s a mission that the Local 10 community has been devoted to promoting since 2014. Businesses in the community have also joined in the tradition.
“We do this every year, but what we love about it is an opportunity to give back to the community,” said Richard Gonzalez, of Vera Cadillac Buick GMC.
Minto Communities donated nearly $30,000, so Toys for Tots can buy more toys. Hooters and Tropical Financial Credit Union were among the companies that also made financial donations.
Watch today’s reports
STOP IN KENDALL
The first stop was from 6 to 7 a.m. at the Tropical Financial Credit Union, at 10510 SW 88 St.
The second stop was from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Walgreens, at 9675 NW 41 St., in Doral.
The third stop was from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, at 1300 Biscayne Blvd., in downtown Miami.
The fourth stop was from 10:30 to 11 a.m., at Walgreens, at 18665 Biscayne Blvd., in Aventura.
STOPS IN PEMBROKE PINES
The fifth stop was from 12 to 1 p.m., at the Vera Cadillac Buick GMC, at 300 South University Drive, in Pembroke Pines.
The sixth stop was from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., at Walgreens, at 15911 Pines Blvd., in Pembroke Pines.
STOP IN DAVIE
The seventh stop was from 3 to 4 p.m., at Walgreens, at 3015 South University Drive, in Davie.
SUNRISE STOP
The eighth stop was from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Ikea, at 151 NW 136 Ave., in Sunrise.
STOP IN CORAL SPRINGS
- The ninth and final stop was from 6 to 7 p.m., at the Tropical Financial Credit Union, at 8947 West Atlantic Blvd., in Coral Springs.