Mystery donation ramps up C.A.P.E. Toy Drive
A call from Fire Station 8 in Cape Coral led to the picking up of hundreds of dollars of new unwrapped toys for the depart-ment’s annual C.A.P.E. (Citizens and Public Employees) Special Needs Toy Drive this week donated by a single unknown mystery giver.
Firefighters called to report over 14 bags from a local department store were brought in, overflowing the bin placed to collect the gifts. Nobody could say who the person was but it was a large volume of toys and gifts for children of all ages.
Toys continue to make their way to the collection points, including a teddy bear donated by 17-year old Blasia Baker, who walked over 10 blocks to drop off the stuffed animal.
“I was having kind of a bad day, and saw online where the Fire Department was collecting toys. It made me feel better to do it,” Baker said as the firefighters accepted her gift.
For more than 20 years, the city of Cape Coral Fire Department, in collaboration with citizens, volunteers and business partners have provided gifts during the holiday season to Cape Coral children with special needs such as Down syndrome, childhood Cancer, Autism, Cystic Fibrosis, and other chronic illnesses.
Donation boxes have been placed at all of the city’s fire stations in order to provide a safe and convenient location to deliver gifts. Anyone wishing to contribute to the C.A.P.E. Special Needs Toy Drive are asked to drop off a new unwrapped toy or gift to any of our fire stations by this Saturday, Dec. 14.
The city fire stations are located at:
– Station #1, 4610 Coronado Parkway
– Station #3, 1627 Everest Park-way
– Station #4, 2007 Santa Barbara Blvd.
– Station #5, 1029 Diplomat Parkway
– Station #6, 4540 Chiquita Blvd.
– Station #7, 3942 Burnt Store Road, N.
– Station #8, 707 S.W. 1st Street
– Station #9, 4107 Pelican Boulevard
– Station #10, 3623 Gator Circle, West
– Fire Administration/EOC, 1115 S.E. 9th Ave.
Note: Station 2 is relocated to EOC
A list of suggested toys or gift items can be found on the city’s website at www.capecoral.net.
The Cape Coral Fire Department does not accept cash donations but prefers a new, unwrapped toy or gift that can be presented to a child.
Fire stations are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, the department encourage everyone to stop by during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. When you arrive, please ring the door bell and/or knock on the station door to alert the firefighters you are there to make a donation.
If there is no answer, crews may be responding to an emergency call, participating in an event, or training off-site. Residents may try waiting a few minutes or stopping by at a later time. It is not advised that anyone leave the toys by the door or in an unsecured area.