More than 1,000 toys have arrived at Valerie’s House grief support center. These gifts will help make the holidays special for 400 southwest Florida families. The center is still taking donations through Dec. 24, 2024.

At their holiday party, each child gets to pick three gifts. Parents also have a chance to shop for their kids during a special shopping event.

“Sometimes the holidays can bring up a lot of pain and mixed emotions, especially maybe if it’s their first Christmas or holiday. They might not really be in the spirit of wanting to go shopping for their kids, so what we try to do is bless very family with tons of gifts,” said CEO Angela Melvin Churchill to Fox 4.

The gifts range from stuffed animals to fun outdoor items like fishing poles. Former kids from the program now help wrap presents, giving back to families going through tough times.

The organization has helped over 5,000 children and their families since 2016. They now have four locations — three in southwest Florida and one in Pensacola.