CRESTVIEW — Emerald Coast Toys for Tots collected 16,906 toys that were distributed to 10,204 Okaloosa and Walton County children, according to an Emerald Coast Association of Realtors task force that spearheaded the toy drive.
The goal was to provide each child with two toys, according to Ashley Botelho, Emerald Coast Toys for Tots coordinator. The drive fell just short of goal, providing an average 1.66 toys per child. But the need for toys in the two-county area rose more than 20 percent between the 2013 and 2014 holiday seasons.
Additionally, 91.67 percent of every dollar raised locally was used to purchase toys for local children. The goal for the group was 85 percent.
Learn more here or email EmeraldCoastToysforTots@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Toys for Tots finishes strong