'Christmas in July' toy drive

TAMPA - The FOX 13 Care Force is teaming up with St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital to host a “Christmas in July” toy drive on Friday, July 24. New toys can be dropped off at FOX 13 studios or at the hospital.

Children admitted to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital receive the finest medical treatment, emotional support, and loving care, but they have other special needs.

“Medical settings are a new, unfamiliar world for most children, and providing them with a toy or activity can bring a momentary escape from the hospital experience and their illness,” said St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Child Life Supervisor Leah Frohnerath. “A well-stocked toy closet ensures that patients receive a gift on holidays, birthdays, during significant milestones in their treatment and whenever they need additional comfort.”

Donation requests include gift cards, electronics, kid-friendly movies, puzzles, arts and crafts supplies, bubbles, infant toys, crib mobiles, teen games and magazines. The donated items will be used to entertain and comfort hospitalized kids throughout the year.

Viewers can drop off toys or other gifts at FOX 13 starting at 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. The toy drive will be featured on Good Day Tampa Bay and FOX 13 personalities will man the pickup locations at both the station and at the hospital.

FOX 13 is located at 3213 W. Kennedy Blvd., just east of the intersection of Kennedy and Himes. Please drive around to the back of the station on North A St. to drop off your donations.

Gifts going to the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital location can be dropped off in the circular drive in front of the hospital at 3001 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The Children’s Hospital site will be collecting toys from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.