2025 Holiday Giving Guide: Ways to Give Back in Horizon West
Local Charities & Businesses Team Up for Season of Giving
The holiday season is a wonderful time for giving back to those most in need. Here in Horizon West, giving back locally creates a cycle of positivity that benefits neighbors and businesses alike, contributing to the connectedness of our community and comfort for all.
For years, local nonprofits within and surrounding Horizon West have promoted initiatives that allow for a vibrant connection between our neighbors, friends and those in need. Within the Horizon West community, there are several ways to give back locally this holiday season.
Non-profit organizations including A Heart to Give Inc. and The Greyson Project have teamed up with local businesses to provide drop-off locations for easy access for those looking to donate toys and decorations for children in need over the holidays.
Additionally, the Rotary Club of Horizon West is collecting toys for local students at Maxey Elementary. Foxtail Coffee's Horizon West location also has a toy drive, and many local businesses are collecting for the popular Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.
Where To Donate
List of Services
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Abbott’s Frozen Custard Hamlin - A Heart to Give Dropoff LocationList Item 3
From now until December 15th, Abbott’s Frozen Custard in Hamlin will be collecting toys benefiting A Heart to Give Inc. as an official dropoff location.
A Heart to Give Inc.’s mission is to provide everyday resources for families in need. Their mission statement reads: "Our goal is to be a hand up to those who need encouragement & support in the Central Florida community."
While the foundation typically accepts household, food, and clothing items for infants, this giving season, A Heart To Give Inc. is accepting unwrapped toy donations at participating locations for children in need.
All donations will be provided to children in need within Orange County Schools.
Donors are advised to leave new, unwrapped toys in the box located within Abbott's.
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The Greyson Project Decoration Dropoff LocationsList Item 4
The Greyson Project's mission is one of hope for children staying in the hospital during the holiday season.
Their website shares: "As a tribute to (our son) Greyson, we began this project: to donate bags of decorations to families spending the holidays in the hospital. By donating a bag, you can make one more hospital room feel a little more like home."
The Greyson Project will be accepting donations from now through December 18th in order to fulfill hospital room deliveries through Christmas Eve.
Bags will be distributed to local Orlando-area hospitals, including Arnold Palmer Hospital, Nemours Children's Hospital and several others.
Horizon West Drop-Off Location:
Horizon West Magazine Office at ScribbleSpace
13790 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd., Suite 1080
Windermere, FL. 34786
Drop-Off Times:
Mon-Fri - 10am - 4pm through December 18th
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Rotary Club of HW Toy Drive
Rotary Club of Horizon West is conducting their annual Holiday Toy Drive.
Donate unwrapped gifts that will fit in a child's backpack, valued $25-30.
Help them spread holiday cheer to students at local Winter Garden Maxey Elementary by dropping off your unwrapped gift at any of these locations by December 5th:
- State Farm - Bryan Fifer
- Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital
- ScribbleSpace / Henko Cafe
- Massage Luxe - Hamlin
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Foxtail Coffee Toy Drive
Foxtail Coffee's Horizon West location in the heart of Summerport in Bridgewater Village is hosting a toy drive that offers givers a sweet reward. Bring a new unwrapped toy and receive 15% off your order this holiday season.
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Overture Hamlin Food Drive
Overture Hamlin is hosting a food drive to support the Christian Service Center in Ocoee, which provides hot meals six days a week to those experiencing homelessness. The center was selected because many Overture residents volunteer there regularly.
Donations may include nonperishable foods & beverages and cleaning supplies. A drop box is available at Overture Hamlin, 5795 Citrus Village Blvd., Winter Garden, FL 34787. The drive runs through Dec. 31, 2025.
Questions may be directed to 407-554-8800 or OvertureHamlin.com.
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Matthew's Hope Ministries
Matthew's Hope is a non-profit homeless outreach ministry organization funded and supported by the local community. It serves Orange and Brevard Counties in Central Florida. Volunteers and staff members of Matthew’s Hope help connect guests with various resources and services of need.
Consider creating an advent box as a fun and meaningful family project. Each day, add a needed item to a box and deliver it to Matthew's Hope on Christmas Eve.
Another option is to simply donate any of the needed items at any time that suits you. Visit MatthewsHopeMinistries.org to learn more.
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Eight Waves Christmas Drive
Eight Waves supports K through 12 students in Orange and Lake counties who face challenges beyond their control. With community support, the organization provides education recovery and wraparound care that helps at-risk children succeed.
This Christmas Day, Eight Waves volunteers will deliver teddy bears, books, hygiene kits, blankets, a holiday meal and each child’s personal wish directly to students and their families. The effort brings holiday joy to the communities they serve, and community generosity makes it possible.
You can help make the celebration special by supporting the drive that delivers hope and joy right to students’ doors.
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Adopt a Fire Station For the Holidays
Orange County Fire Rescue Department is pleased to announce the continued tradition of the annual Adopt a Fire Station initiative for the 2025 holiday season.
The goal is to once again have all 45 fire stations, as well as our 911 dispatch center, adopted by families and/or local organizations between the weeks of December 1 through December 31.
This event has become a means for our community to say thank you to first responders who work throughout the holidays to serve others.
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Toy Drive for Nathaniel's Hope at TLE Windermere!
The Learning Experience-Windermere is hosting a Toy Drive to support Nathaniel's Hope.
Since 2008, local Orlando charity Nathaniel’s Toy Shop has been dedicated to helping kids with special needs and their families who are facing financial challenges by providing them with free toys during the holiday season.
They are collecting new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages.
🎟️ BONUS!
Every toy you donate = 1 entry into a raffle for a Bubbles & Friends Gift Box filled with fun surprises!
You can drop off new, unwrapped toys at any of the following locations until December 13:
📍 The Learning Experience – Windermere
6290 Lake Smith Circle • Monday–Friday, 6:30 AM–6:00 PM
📍 Jersey Mike’s – Windermere
6507 Old Brick Rd Suite 140, Windermere, FL 34786 7 AM-9 PM
📍 During Winter Wonderland at TLE Windermere: Saturday, 12/13 from 11 AM–1 PM (They will have fun snow and winter activities for the whole family!)
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Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a charitable program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Its mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys each year and distribute them to children whose families may not be able to provide gifts during the holiday season.
Horizon West drop-off locations include:
Dental Care @ Westside Shoppes
11/03/2025 - 12/15/2025
11625 Lachlan Lane
The Joint - Hamlin
11/26/2025 - 12/12/2025
16055 New Independence Pkwy #120
Skyline Chili Flamingo Crossings
11/01/2025 - 12/15/2025
2231 Western Way Unit B
McCoy Federal Credit Union Hamlin
11/07/2025 - 12/05/2025
15402 Waterbird Rd
Huey Magoo's
11/01/2025 - 12/12/2025
9250 Miley Drive
Hamlin Groves Dental Care
11/03/2025 - 12/05/2025
16412 New Independence Pkwy, Ste 100
Dental Care at The Mark
11/03/2025 - 12/12/2025
9235 Miley Dr, Winter Garden
Sheldon Insurance of Winter Garden
11/01/2025 - 12/12/2025
5736 Hamlin Groves Trail Suite 162
Residence Inn at Flamingo Crossings
11/03/2025 - 12/11/2025
Fairfield Inn at Flamingo Crossings
11/03/2025 - 12/11/2025
Homewood Suites at Flamingo Crossings
11/03/2025 - 12/11/2025
Home2 Suites at Flamingo Crossings
11/03/2025 - 12/11/2025
Through supporting local businesses and charity organizations, we enrich the quality of life here in Horizon West, and create a sense of well-being and comfort for all residents and neighbors.
Do you know of a local Horizon West giving opportunity that is not on this list? Horizon West Magazine appreciates any additional resources on ways to give back this holiday season by reaching us at our email.
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