Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is pleased to announce the sheriff's office is hosting its 7th Annual Holiday Toy Drive benefiting the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida's Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program and two additional partner organizations. Launched in 2017 when the agency moved into its new headquarters, the toy drive has become a holiday project the agency and Sarasota County citizens look forward to every year. With the help of agency members, residents, local businesses, and organizations, the sheriff's office has donated more than 12,500 gifts and $43,000 in gift cards to children enrolled in the GAL program over the last six years. Because of the event's continued growth and success, Sheriff Hoffman invited Teen Court of Sarasota and All Star Children's Foundation to also take part beginning last year. In Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties, there are currently more than 1,000 children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect, and as such, are part of the GAL program. Teens enrolled in Teen Court are supported by the organization's mission to create a second chance for at-risk youth, helping them make positive choices through meaningful consequences, peer mentorship, and civic engagement. Finally, All Star Children's Foundation exists to provide children in foster care with a secure environment where they feel valued, safe, and empowered. Again, this year, SCSO thanks the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Public Safety Department for generously donating a holiday tree to serve as the toy drive's collection site. For more information, contact the Community Affairs Office at 941.861.4005.