2018 Guardian ad Litem Holiday Gift Drive

Stuffed animal in a gift box with holiday lights behind
Photo: Snugg LePup

Separated from family and siblings, the holiday season can be a difficult and lonely time for the abused, neglected and abandoned children represented by the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program.

Despite their circumstances and heartbreaking stories, these children and youth still anticipate the season like any other child. We want to ensure that their holidays are bright.

Each year, program staff and volunteers along with Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc. (GALF2), our nonprofit support organization, work with local businesses, community organizations and individuals to ensure that every child represented by our program receives gifts for the holiday season.

We need your help to meet this goal. Please join us for the 2018 Guardian ad Litem Holiday Gift Drive and help bring some holiday cheer and normalcy to a child in the community.

Learn more about the drive by browsing the sections on this page. Then register as a sponsor, donate funds or submit your questions. Thank you for your support!

How It Works

Our drive is simple. GALF2 collects donated items from the community and then hosts a "gift store" where our volunteer guardians ad litem can "shop" for gifts for the children that they represent.

  ❶  Purchase Gifts or Donate Money

Individual and business sponsors purchase gifts from our recommendations list or donate funds that are used to purchase gifts.

  ❷  Deliver Gifts

Sponsors deliver their new and unwrapped gifts to us.

  ❸  Celebrate

Sponsors are invited to join us for a special event when our volunteer guardians ad litem will choose gifts for the children that they represent.

How To Help

Whether representing a company or supporting individually, we appreciate any assistance that you can offer. All donations to GALF2 are tax deductible. Donated funds will be used to purchase additional gifts for children.

  ❶  Become a Sponsor

  ❷  Donate Money

Donate now via PayPal

  ❸  Spread the Word

Drop Off Locations

You may deliver your new and unwrapped items at our gift donation drop off event or to local businesses hosting our donation boxes.

Drop Off Events

  • Big Bend AHEC
    2815 Remington Green Circle, Suite 100, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Map
    Saturday, December 1, 2018, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

  • Big Bend AHEC
    2815 Remington Green Circle, Suite 100, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Map
    Sunday, December 2, 2018, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

  • Saint Paul's United Methodist Church
    1700 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32303 Map
    Thursday, December 6, 2018, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM

Donation Boxes

  • A Touch of Class
    2964 Wellington Circle, Tallahassee, Florida 32309 Map
    Tuesday, 9:00 AM-7:00 PM
    Wednesday-Friday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
    Saturday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

  • Comprehensive Dental
    1641 Mahan Center Boulevard #1, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Map
    Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

  • GrassLands Brewing Company
    603 West Gaines Street #7, Tallahassee, Florida 32304 Map
    Tuesday-Thursday, 4:00 PM-11:00 PM
    Friday, 4:00 PM-12:00 AM
    Saturday, 12:00 PM-12:00 AM

  • Jason's Deli
    2335 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Map
    Monday-Sunday, 6:30 AM-10:00 PM

  • Starbucks
    2264 North Monroe Street #1, Tallahassee, Florida 32303 Map
    Monday-Thursday, 5:30 AM-9:30 PM
    Friday-Sunday, 5:30 AM-10:30 PM
    Please advise a barista that you are there to drop off gifts; the donation box is the back.

  • Uptown Cafe and Catering
    1325 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Map
    Monday-Saturday, 7:00 AM-3:00 PM
    Sunday, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM

Supporting Events

The following supporting events benefit the holiday gift drive through gift and cash donations.

  • To Be Announced

Our Sponsors

We thank the following individuals, businesses and organizations for their generous sponsorships.

  • Holy Comforter Episcopal School

  • Maclay School

  • Seminole Sitters

Gift Recommendations

The following tables provide recommendations for gifts by age group. The included items are only general suggestions.

Ages 0-2
Girls
Boys
  • Activity Mats
  • Blankets
  • Board Books
  • Cloth Dolls
  • Developmental Toys
  • "Little People" Sets
  • Puppets
  • Push/Ride Toys
  • Stroller Walkers
  • Stuffed Animals
  • Teething Toys
  • Activity Mats
  • Balls
  • Board Books
  • Developmental Toys
  • Dump Trucks
  • "Mega Bloks" Sets
  • Play Tools
  • Push/Ride Toys
  • Sports Activity Centers
  • Teething Toys
  • Trains
Ages 3-5
Girls
Boys
  • Art/Musical Toys
  • Baby Dolls and Accessories
  • Books
  • Creative Play Toys
  • "Disney Junior" Products
  • "LeapFrog" and "VTech" Systems
  • Play Kitchens
  • Puzzles
  • Stuffed Animals
  • Tricycles/Riding Toys
  • Books
  • Building Blocks
  • Creative Play Toys
  • Fire Engines
  • "LeapFrog" and "VTech" Systems
  • "Marvel" Toys
  • "Nickelodeon" Products
  • Play Drums
  • Sports Toys
  • Tricycles/Riding Toys
Ages 6-9
Girls
Boys
  • Activity Sets
  • Animal Toys
  • "Barbie" Products
  • Bicycles/Scooters
  • Board Games
  • Books
  • "Ever After High" Products
  • "Lego" Sets
  • "Monster High" Products
  • "My Little Pony" Products
  • Princess Items
  • Stuffed Animals
  • Bicycles/Scooters
  • Books
  • Building Toys
  • Cars/Racing Items
  • Dinosaur Toys
  • "Lego" Sets
  • "Minions" Products
  • Remote Control Cars
  • Robotic Toys
  • Science Kits
  • Sports Games
  • Trains
Ages 10-12
Girls
Boys
  • Bicycles/Scooters/Skateboards
  • Crafts/Fashion Design Kits
  • "Disney" and "Nickelodeon" DVDs
  • Gaming Systems with
    Age-Appropriate Games
  • Karaoke/Musical Instruments
  • Age-Appropriate Movie DVDs
  • Bicycles/Scooters/Skateboards
  • Gaming Systems with
    Age-Appropriate Games
  • "Lego" Sets
  • Sporting Equipment
Ages 13-15
Girls
Boys
  • Alarm Clocks
  • Cook Books for Teens
  • Digital Watches
  • Dry Erase Calendars
  • Electric Shavers
  • Gift Cards
  • Handheld Gaming Systems
  • Headphones
  • Jewelry
  • Lap Desks
  • Pin Boards
  • Prepaid Mobile Phones
  • Room Decorations
  • Tablets
  • Age-Appropriate Video Games
  • Alarm Clocks
  • Cook Books for Teens
  • Digital Watches
  • Dry Erase Calendars
  • Electric Shavers
  • Gift Cards
  • Handheld Gaming Systems
  • Lap Desks
  • Pin Boards
  • Prepaid Mobile Phones
  • Remote Control Helicopters
  • Sporting Equipment
  • Tablets
Ages 16+
Girls
Boys
  • Alarm Clocks
  • Cook Books for Teens
  • Digital Watches
  • Dry Erase Calendars
  • Electric Shavers
  • Gift Cards
  • Household Items
  • Lap Desks
  • Laptop Computers
  • Pin Boards
  • Tablets
  • Alarm Clocks
  • Cook Books for Teens
  • Digital Watches
  • Dry Erase Calendars
  • Electric Shavers
  • Gift Cards
  • Household Items
  • Lap Desks
  • Laptop Computers
  • Pin Boards
  • Tablets
Prohibited Items
  • Boxing Gloves
  • Cap/Pop/Toy Guns
  • Costumes
  • "G.I. Joe" Toys
  • Graphic Music and Books
  • Makeup
  • Mature-Rated Toys/Video Games
  • Slingshots
  • Toy Swords/Knives
  • Used Toys/Clothing
  • Water Guns
  • Wrestling Toys
Additional Notes
  • Donations must be new and unwrapped.

  • Teens may receive gift cards for places like T.J. Maxx, Target, Best Buy, Walmart, clothing stores, restaurants, movie theatres and the iTunes Store. We recommend gift cards valued at $75 each. Whatever the amount, please note it on the gift card.

  • Household items and gift cards for food are appreciated by families.

  • Provide batteries with any gifts that require them.

  • Purchase age, culturally and ethnically appropriate dolls when possible.

  • Include helmets and other protective gear with any bicycles, scooters or skateboards.

  • If you have any questions or need to make arrangements because you cannot deliver your gifts, please contact Stacey Burns.

Event Contact

Please contact GALF2 to register as a sponsor or ask questions about the drive.

Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc.
  • Stacey Burns
    holidays@galf2.org
    (850) 320-0816

  • Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc.
    (850) 524-6233
    PO Box 3992
    Tallahassee, Florida 32315-3992

 
Icon: Calendar Link Events Summary Event Summary
  • Who
    Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc. and the
    Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program
  • What
    2018 Guardian ad Litem Holiday Gift Drive PDF
  • Where
    Gift Donation Drop Off
    Big Bend AHEC
    2815 Remington Green Circle, Suite 100, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Map

    Saint Paul's United Methodist Church
    1700 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32303 Map

    Volunteer Shopping and Celebration Event
    Saint Paul's United Methodist Church
    1700 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32303 Map
  • When
    Gift Donation Drop Off
    Big Bend AHEC
    Saturday, December 1, 2018, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
    Sunday, December 2, 2018, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

    Saint Paul's United Methodist Church
    Thursday, December 6, 2018, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM

    Volunteer Shopping and Celebration Event
    Saturday, December 8, 2018, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
  • Event Contact
    Stacey Burns
    holidays@galf2.org
    (850) 320-0816

    Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc.
    (850) 524-6233
Update
2018-10-30: Added two downloads; two drop off events; one donation box location; three sponsors; and updated the event contact's email address
2018-11-01: Rescheduled Saint Paul's drop off event
2018-11-13: Added five donation box locations
First Published September 19, 2018