Posted: 1/2/2025
Celebrating the Success of our 20th Annual Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive
This holiday season, Heartland for Children is overjoyed to celebrate the incredible success of our 20th Annual Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, we were able to brighten the holidays for over 1,700 children across Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties. Together, we ensured that every child in foster care experienced the magic and joy of the season. Check out this video recap of the joy and love you brought to life – we couldn’t have done it without our incredible community.
A Community United for a Cause
This year’s toy drive brought together over 436 generous donors who went above and beyond to make this mission possible. Collectively, they hosted 66 toy drives, purchased 752 gifts through our Amazon Toy Registry, and sponsored every child’s wish list. Their kindness and generosity transformed wishes into reality and brought countless smiles to the faces of children in need.
The Heart Behind the Drive
The success of the Rudolph Round-Up wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our Heartland for Children team, case management staff, and community volunteers. These incredible individuals contributed over 2,000 hours of manpower to organize, sort, and distribute thousands of gifts. Their tireless efforts ensured that every detail was accounted for and every child’s unique needs were met.
Sharing Rudolph Stories
Beyond the numbers, the impact of the Rudolph Round-Up is best captured through the heartfelt stories shared by foster families and caregivers.
"Every year I look forward to the Rudolph Round-Up because I know they would have great gifts for the kids, and I don’t have to break my budget. We’ve been going through some challenges this year, so that was extra money I did not have to take out of my pocket to spend for presents. I want to thank all those who made the Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive possible—you put so many smiles not only on the kids’ faces but on the caretakers’ faces, knowing they don’t have to worry if the kids have presents to open. Thank you for your generosity." - Janelle Bhagan, Relative Caregiver
"We are fostering to adopt our special needs nephew. He’s the sweetest boy on the planet! Your gifts gave us the opportunity to focus on our son instead of being out and about shopping. When we picked up the gifts, the relief was immense! It also gave us financial peace, allowing us to host a full Christmas Eve dinner for our adult children and mother. Christmas Eve was magical, and Christmas morning was pure joy as our son opened his gifts. Thank you to all who give selflessly. Without you, none of this would be possible!" - Stephanie Batson, Relative Caregiver
"Through the Rudolph Roundup, a program dedicated to helping foster children, I was given the opportunity to do more for [my foster sons]. Although money was tight, the generosity of the program brought a sparkle of hope to our home. On Christmas morning, the joy in their home was palpable. R's eyes lit up as he rushed to the tree, discovering the presents that awaited them. R, still too young to fully understand, gazed in wonder at the colorful decorations and the warmth of his family's laughter. Despite the challenges of raising children later in life, I knew that these moments were priceless. This Christmas wasn’t just about the gifts; it was about family, love, and the joy that comes from giving — a lesson that would resonate with my boys for years to come." - Joyce Dorrion, Caregiver
Thank You for Spreading Holiday Cheer
To everyone who participated in the 20th Annual Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive — donors, volunteers, staff, and community members — thank you for making this holiday season unforgettable for so many children. Your support has shown that when a community comes together, we can accomplish extraordinary things.