Guadalupe Center is seeking donations to stock the tables of its popular Holiday Gift Shop, a unique shopping experience that allows Immokalee parents to select holiday presents for their children. Last year’s Holiday Gift Shop provided gifts for a record-breaking 1,185 children from 448 families.
Now through Dec. 10, Guadalupe Center will accept new, unwrapped donations of toys, clothing, shoes and other gifts appropriate for infants through teenagers.
“Many Immokalee parents work long hours just to have enough money for basic necessities like rent, food and utilities, and there isn’t much left as they approach the holidays,” said Dawn Montecalvo, Guadalupe Center president. “Through the generosity of local donors, communities, clubs and businesses, the Holiday Gift Shop program will put smiles on the faces of hundreds of children on Christmas morning.”
Guadalupe Center suggests the following age-appropriate gifts:
- Infants and toddlers (0-2 years): rattles, baby dolls, stacking rings, crib mobiles, push toys, musical toys
- Preschool-age children (3-5 years): building blocks, baby dolls, remote-controlled cars, popular children’s characters and superheroes, activity sets, Play-Doh
- School-age children (6-12 years): Barbie dolls, action figures, LEGO kits, musical instruments, sporting goods, arts and crafts kits, riding toys
- Teenagers (13-18): gift cards, non-violent video games, purses or wallets, hair accessories, wireless headphones, tabletop games, clothing featuring sports teams
The Holiday Gift Shop will open to parents of Guadalupe Center students from Dec. 10-13.
Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at Guadalupe Center’s administrative offices at 2640 Golden Gate Parkway, Suite 106, in Naples; Guadalupe Resale Shop at 12980 Tamiami Trail North, Unit 10, in Naples; or at Guadalupe Center’s educational facility at 509 Hope Circle in Immokalee. Alternatively, monetary donations can be made online at GuadalupeCenter.org.
For more information, please contact Bob Spano at RSpano@GuadalupeCenter.org or 239-657-7145.
About Guadalupe Center
Guadalupe Center is a purpose-driven, nonprofit organization with proven results in creating endless possibilities for the students of Immokalee through education and fostering personal and academic success that leads to economic independence. With a focus on breaking the cycle of poverty through education, Guadalupe Center is proud of the children’s accomplishments: 94 percent meet or exceed kindergarten readiness measures, 100 percent of Tutor Corps high school seniors graduate high school and are accepted into college, and more than 90 percent graduate with a post-secondary degree.