Chick-fil-A, Lee County Sheriff’s Office team up for toy drive
A simple drive-thru order at a local Chick-fil-A has turned into a community toy drive.
It began when Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott chose the Cypress Lake Chick-fil-A in Fort Myers as a grab-and-go meal during a busy day. The manager immediately recognized him and took the opportunity to mention her idea. The end result, a new partnership will brighten faces to young ones across Lee and Collier counties in December.
Last, Friday, Nov. 20, was the launch of the two-county toy drive outreach. In Lee County, five locations will accept toy donations through Dec. 18.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Youth Activities League has embraced the drive as a part of its ongoing efforts to make a positive impact on youth countywide and will help coordinate with each Sheriff’s Office patrol district. Lee County deputies will hand out the toys as a part of their annual gift distributions to needy families at Christmas.
The toy drive is special to Chick-fil-A employees as explained by Deanna Sommella, marketing director for the Colonial Bouelvard location.
“One of Chick-fil-A’s founding principles has always been to serve its surrounding community. We honor our founder, Truett Cathy, by following through with this initiative and on a daily basis either in our stores or out in the community,” she said.
On behalf of SYAL, Executive Director Lt Larry King noted, “This year, the annual gift giving may even take on stronger meaning in contrast to some of the challenges seen socially across the country. We’re extremely grateful our friends at Chick-fil-A have dedicated themselves to this worthwhile endeavor to make the holidays better for many right here in Lee County and by promoting this positive outreach.”
Those who wish to donate new toys are welcome to drop them off at any of these Chick-fil-A locations:
n Cypress Lake, 13610 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers
n Colonial Boulevard, 4752 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers
n Estero, 21900 S. Tamiami Trail, Estero
n Alico Road, 9980 Interstate Com-merce Drive, Fort Myers
n Pine Island Road, 1790 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral