MIAMI (WSVN) - 7News and Operation Puerto Rico Holiday Gift-Lift partnered to help bring toys to children on the hurricane-ravaged island.
The public will have a chance to donate toys during Operation Puerto Rico Holiday Gift-Lift, as well, on Saturday at the Miami Children’s Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The toy value for donations is $20 or more.
The museum is located at 980 MacArthur Causeway in Miami. The first 500 people to bring toys will get free admission.
“Let’s bring a gift,” said Miami Children’s Museum CEO Deborah Spiegelman. “Let’s celebrate. Let’s make it a really special time for so many children.”
Toy drive organizers expect to have 50,000 pounds of Christmas gifts delivered via airplane to children in Puerto Rico. “I think it’s so important for families to teach their children about giving and participating in the community,” said Spiegelman. “What better way to do so then helping our neighbors in Puerto Rico with a child bringing a toy for another child?”
Spiegelman received a call about the toy drive from Operation Puerto Rico’s co-founder Chris Sloan. “It started only a few weeks ago,” said Sloan. “So far, we’ve just been inundated with generosity of toys and donations to take care of these kids who have been through so, so much.”
Sloan added, “After three months later of not having power, after — you know, not having a lot — then to be denied a holiday would be devastating.”
Spirit Airlines has donated four empty planes in order to help deliver the toys. The third plane leaves Friday night, with the last plane leaving sometime next week.
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