A Florida, U.S., Kiwanis club’s annual holiday program was more urgent than ever in 2024.
By Tony Knoderer
For 34 years, the Kiwanis Club of Plant City, Florida, U.S., has made sure that kids in need get gifts during the holidays. In partnership with local businesses and organizations, the “Christmas for an Angel” program collects wish lists from local children — and then coordinates Kiwanians and various community members to gather and distribute the gifts.
Sharon Moody, club member and event chair, says the program was especially important this year.
“A lot of families are still hurting from Hurricane Milton,” says Moody, who is also a past governor of the Florida District.
Hurricane Milton struck Florida in October, becoming the fifth-largest Atlantic Ocean hurricane in history. It reached wind speeds of 180 miles per hour and generated nearly 20 inches of rain.
“Some kids got displaced,” Moody says. “Some are still living in hotels. Ultimately it affected about 1,500 students.”
For parents and volunteers alike, the children’s smiles were especially touching when toys were delivered to kids in 18 elementary schools throughout the day on December 16.
The success of the event was particularly gratifying for everyone who pitched in to make it happen — barely two months after the natural disaster that made the need more urgent than ever.
For Moody, it was a reminder of the power of partnerships. For example, the club coordinated the project at the City Parks and Recreation Building in Plant City. Locally, Stingray Chevrolet and its employees were crucial, she says, as were members of the Rotary Club and Plant City High School Key Club.
Moody’s gratitude ultimately extended to a wide range of people and organizations in the area — from local churches and retailers to South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City.
“This year, everybody stepped up,” Moody says. “We got together, and we got it done.”