With the holiday season in full swing, many of us are feeling extra grateful for all that we have, and the ability to spend time with the ones we love — a luxury we will never again take for granted. Some Parkland residents are sharing both this good cheer and generosity with those in need of some extra love this year.
Cancer Kids First South Florida
At just 15 years old, Joshua Grynbaum decided that he wanted to give back. Inspired by his family, Grynbaum decided to lead his own initiative, establishing a local South Florida division of a teen-led nonprofit, Cancer Kids First.
Cancer Kids First South Florida partners with children’s hospitals in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties to lift the spirits of children with cancer by providing get-well cards, bracelets, toys, craft kits, and other fun items.
This holiday season, Grynbaum has organized the Spread the Joy Toy Drive for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami and is also doing a toy drive for Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. Cancer Kids First South Florida is accepting toy donations for children of all ages until Dec. 5.
To get involved, check out their Instagram page @cancerkidsfirstsouthFL or email them directly at cancerkidsfirstsouthfl@gmail.com. Student volunteers can receive community service hours.
The Christmas Eve PJs Project
Every Christmas, Heather Khalil organizes the Christmas Eve PJs Project, which provides Christmas-themed pajamas for children in need — an idea that stems from Khalil’s own family tradition of gifting new holiday pajamas every Christmas eve.
Participating volunteers are assigned a specific child and tasked with being their personal elf — providing a stuffed animal, blanket, and book along with the pajamas. They are welcome to include hot chocolate, board games, a personal note, and anything else that reminds them of cozy family traditions.
The packages collected benefit Kids in Distress, Hope South Florida, God’s Little Lambs Preschool, and SOS Children’s Village.
The Christmas PJs Project is already well underway, but for those interested in getting involved, Khalil will be recruiting volunteers in January for her next project, Boxes of Love, a Valentine’s Day–inspired drive benefiting homeless families and veterans. Created by Khalil’s son in honor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas victims, volunteers provide wrapped shoeboxes full of toiletries, books, and crossword puzzles.
All boxes collected benefit Hope South Florida, Broward County Task Force for Homelessness, and Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen.
For more information, visit their Facebook page @Heather’s Volunteer Opportunities.