OKEECHOBEE – The 2025 Toys for Tots distribution will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at noon. Entrance to the facility is off SR 710.  Children must be present and photo proof of Okeechobee residency is required.  

During the Dec. 4 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission, Malissa Morgan, on behalf of Toys for Tots, requested a fee waiver in the amount of $1,587.50 to host a toy distribution event within the covered arena at the Agri-Civic Center on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 with set-up to occur on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The fee waiver was unanimously approved by the commissioners.

The Toys for Tots Foundation is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity which was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps in 1991, and their basic mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.

At the 2024 Toys for Tots event, 1,496 Okeechobee County children received gifts.

“If you haven’t been out there, that arena is full of toys,” said Commission Chairman David Hazellief.

“If you have never seen it, it’s worth a trip. It will make your day,” said Commissioner Frank DeCarlo.