FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information contact:
Niki Smith LeVasseur
Central and Southwest, Fla., November 13, 2023 – Crews Bank & Trust branches are once again serving as collection sites for Christmas gifts for children in need to be distributed through Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army, and the Florida Guardian ad Litem 20th Circuit Foundation.
“I love that partnering with Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army, and the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation is one of the holiday traditions we have at the bank” said Elizabeth Hernandez, SVP, Director of Retail and Business Banking. “It is heartwarming to see the generosity of our bank teams, customers and area residents.
By providing a brand-new gift, something many children take for granted, the community can help less fortunate children believe that someone cares and that the magic of the holiday season hasn’t passed them by.
The Crews Bank & Trust locations participating in the Toys for Tots collection include:
- Sarasota branch, 15 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota, open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday.
- Arcadia East branch, 2747 S.E. Highway 70, Arcadia, open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
- Gulf Cove branch, 12651 S. McCall Rd., Port Charlotte, open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday.
- Cape Haze branch, 8725 Placida Rd., #10 Placida, open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday.
- Boca Grande branch. 301 Park Ave., Boca Grande, open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday.
Toys for Tots is among America’s top-rated charities. The program is run totally by volunteers under the leadership of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. The Toys for Tots motto is, “Every child deserves a little Christmas.”
The Toys for Tots toy drive ends in early December.
For the Salvation Army and Guardian ad Litem programs, first names and ages of area children in need are written on wish list cards. Customers and visitors to the bank are invited to select one or more of the cards and purchase appropriate gifts for the children.
The Salvation Army, an evangelical Christian organization, has been supporting those in need since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from the Salvation Army each year through an array of social services ranging from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.
Salvation Army wish lists are at the following locations:
- Peachland branch, 24163 Peachland Blvd., Port Charlotte, open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday.
- Punta Gorda branch, 2331 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday.
- Venice branch, 207 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8:30 – 5:30 on Friday.
The statewide Guardian ad Litem Program is supported by Voices for Kids, a nonprofit organization. The Guardian ad Litem program consists of community volunteers and professionals who advocate on behalf of abused, neglected or otherwise at-risk children.
Guardian ad Litem wish lists are at the following locations:
- Murdock branch, 1100 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday.
- North Port branch, 4300 Aidan Lane, North Port, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Fridays.
- Parkside branch, 3002 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday.
The Salvation Army and the Guardian ad Litem gift drives conclude on Dec. 6.
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From left to right, Gwen Gadd, AVP, Retail Banking Officer, Bonney Anderson, Lead Teller, and Lisa Bailey, Teller Specialist, pose next to Toys for Tots collection box at the Crews Bank & Trust Cape Haze branch. The Toys for Tots toy drive ends in early December.