JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The spirit of giving was in the air at Channel 4 on Thursday as The Local Station collected toys for the Children's Christmas Party of Jacksonville.
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Hundreds of people brought a total of 1,021 new, unwrapped toys to the WJXT studios on the Southbank for the annual party that helps thousands of children 12 years of age and younger who might not otherwise have a merry Christmas.
"What a blessing this will be to so many kids," Channel 4 community service director Tracy Gaffney said.
The party will be held at the Prime Osborn Convention Center next Saturday, Dec. 15.
Among the first donors was William White, who brought a whole box of toys.
"All I've got to say is that it's for the kids," White said.
While hundreds of people dropped off generous donations throughout the morning, the employees of Pinnacle Central Industrial Equipment Sales and Rental needed a truck to bring their donation: 10 brand new bicycles, and a helmet to go with each one.
A total of 30 bicycles and 35 helmets were donated on Thursday.
For those that could not make it on Thursday, toys for the party will continue to be collected through Dec. 13 at Nimnicht Buick GMC on Philips Highway near Interstate 295.
There is no registration for the party -- it's first-come, first-serve. Children get three tickets as they enter that can be exchanged for toys. Some of the tickets are randomly stamped, and those children get a bicycle.
Throughout the year, money is donated by local companies and individuals to help the Children's Christmas Party of Jacksonville buy toys in bulk. The toys donated Thursday will make sure there are enough toys for all the children who attend the party.
The Children's Christmas Party of Jacksonville is a nonprofit organization. For more information about the party, visit CCPOJ.org.