5,000 Toys Collected at Flagler and Volusia Margarita Balls for Local Children

Nearly 5,000 toys are set to brighten the holidays for children in need across Flagler and Volusia counties, thanks to the recent Margarita Balls held in each community.

Organized by the respective Margarita Societies, these exclusive, invitation-only events require attendees to contribute toys valued at $200 per invitation. Cindy Evans, a director on both county boards, emphasized the importance of generosity: "For every invitation, we aim for double the toys. But the more, the merrier."

The ninth annual Flagler County Margarita Ball took place on November 7 at Channel Side, accommodating 200 guests and collecting over 800 toys. In Volusia County, the event on November 22 at the Ocean Center saw a remarkable turnout, with 4,130 toys donated—surpassing the previous year's total.

Evans noted the community's enthusiasm: "A lot of people bring multitudes of toys—big, big, big bags of toys."

The collected toys are distributed to local nonprofits, ensuring they reach children and families who need them most. Organizations benefiting from these donations include the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties, the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties, and the FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools.

Evans, who founded the Flagler County Margarita Ball nearly a decade ago and has been involved with the Volusia County event for over 30 years, highlighted the events' growth and impact. The Volusia County ball, held at the Ocean Center, has expanded significantly since its inception in 1988, now hosting up to 2,000 guests.

"It's just us paying for the party, putting the party on, asking our attendees to bring toys," Evans explained, underscoring the event's mission to support underprivileged children during the holiday season.

According to the Margarita Society of Volusia County, their efforts have furnished over 100,000 gifts to needy children throughout Central Florida.

For more information on the Margarita Societies and their charitable initiatives, interested individuals can visit their official websites or contact the organizations directly.