The community is invited to help make this holiday season special for both children and animals by dropping off donations at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Cape Coral Community Outreach Center.

The LCSO is holding a toy drive on behalf of the Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL until Thursday, Dec. 2. Unwrapped toys for children 17 and younger can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Cape Coral Community Outreach Center at the Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center & Museum, at 4522 Del Prado Blvd., South.

“We are so grateful for any donations and for any types of toys,” LCSO Cape Coral Outreach Center Community Response Coordinator Gary Levine said in an email. “Historically, donors seem to purchase gifts for elementary school aged children. While this is very kind and greatly appreciated, we find that older children and teens, up to age 17, seem to be forgotten.”

A pet supply drive began before Halloween with the hopes of it continuing throughout the upcoming year as the supply need never diminishes.

“The supplies received, to date, have been given to Gulf Coast Humane Society and to Mutty Paws Rescue,” he said.

The hope is to collect more to add more shelters and rescues to their list of recipients.

“This pet supply collection is a function of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Task Force. In addition to responding to and investigating cases of animal abuse, neglect and cruelty, the task force is working diligently to proactively speak with the community regarding the legal and ethical treatment of animals and to gather supplies for our rescues and shelters,” Levine said. “Tia Torres, host of ‘Animal Planet’ show ‘Pit Bulls and Parolees,’ has joined us in our effort to rid Lee County of any and all animal mistreatment.”

Supplies needed include cloth or paper towels; disinfectant; disinfectant wipes; large trash bags; mops; buckets; squeegees; bleach; laundry detergent; Dawn dishwashing liquid; dog and cat toys, especially for heavy chewers; harnesses; potty pads; dog and cat food; cat litter; leashes; large Nylabones; Kong toys; garden hoses and spray nozzles.

“Sheriff Carmine Marceno is emphatic about bettering our community and our Outreach Centers are geared to do just that,” he said.