You give some, you get some 🎁

Volunteers loading up donated toys | Photo via @parkerstreetministries

With the season of giving fast approaching, we’re taking a look at Lakeland’s Christmas toy drives. Keep reading for donation centers + assistance applications.

Donate toys

Kate’s Story Foundation
Kate’s Story Foundation is collecting toys for hospitalized children at Lakeland Regional Health, Nemours Children’s Health Lakeland, and Nemours Children’s Health in Orlando. Drop off new, unopened, and unwrapped latex-free gifts to one of nine Lakeland locations through Fri., Dec. 16. Find a list of preferred gifts and drop-off locations here.

Parker Street Ministries
Parker Street Ministries is looking for ~2,800 gifts for its annual Christmas Store. Drop off gifts to 719 N. Massachusetts Ave. by Mon., Dec. 5. Pro tip: Check out the organization’s wish list, or send gifts from their Amazon wish list and skip the drop-off altogether.

Cops for Kids
Drop-off dates are TBA, but you can start shopping now for a gift appropriate for children aged 12 and under. Looking to make an early donation? Give the Community Services Unit a call at (863) 834-6912.

130436770_219882396213964_7681537021579491172_n — Bags of donated toys in 2020 | Photo via @parkerstreetministries

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is celebrating 75 years of toy donations this year. In 2021, the organization distributed 50,829 toys and supported 14,219 children. Participate by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at one of 230+ Lakeland locations.

Heartland for Children’s Rudolph Round-Up
Heartland for Children is aiming to provide toys to 1,500 local children. Help meet this goal by donating a gift from their registry at the main campus (215 E. Magnolia St.) by Dec. 17. Additionally, you can become a Rudolph Champion by sponsoring a child and shopping his or her wish list, or making a monetary donation.

Is your local toy drive not on our list? Tell us about it so we can spread the holiday cheer.

Click below for more information on applying for holiday assistance.

TOYS, TOYS, AND MORE TOYS

EVENTS

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Wednesday, November 2

“A Siren’s Peril: Underwater Portrait Retrospective” | Wednesday, Nov. 2-Friday, Nov. 11 | 12-5 p.m. | ART/ifact, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland, FL | Free | Browse this gallery of underwater photography featuring zombie-esque mermaids and mermen.
Lunch Pop-Ups at Catapult: Vegetation | Wednesday, Nov. 2, Wednesday, Nov. 9, Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult, 502 E Main St., Lakeland, FL | Free | Enjoy a fresh, wholesome + handcrafted meal from Vegetation at this edition of Catapult’s Fall Pop-Up Series.*

Thursday, November 3

Gulf Coast Safe Street Summit | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland, FL | $75-$100 | Hear from experts in the industry and experience first-hand how different concepts, laws, and ideas impact public safety and transportation infrastructure.
T-R-I-V-I-A | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland, FL | Free | Show what you know to win prizes while enjoying deals on beer, wine, and cocktails.

Friday, November 4

The 39 Steps | Friday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 6 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S Lake Ave, Lakeland, FL | $20-$26 | In this comedic play, a man with a boring life is followed by a mysterious organization after meeting a spy.
Matter is Miraculous Art Exhibition | Friday, Nov. 4 | 6-9 p.m. | The Uliana, 1216 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL | Free | RSVP for this art show featuring the work of Jason DeMeo, followed by an after-party at Cob & Pen.

Saturday, November 5

Art Crawl | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E Main St, Lakeland, FL | Free | Visit this free art festival featuring 50+ local artists, performances, demonstrations, and competitions.
Pet Supermarket’s Pawcuterie Pawty Workshop (Lakeland) | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 1-2 p.m. | Pet Supermarket, 4220 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL | Free | Learn how to create a seasonal charcuterie board for your pup at this family friendly event.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

87º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain ⛅

Ranked

No. 13. That’s what Lakeland ranked on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best places to retire in the US in 2022-2023. Cities were scored on a variety of metrics, including housing affordability and healthcare. (U.S. News & World Report)

Stat

15.5%. That’s Polk County’s voter turnout since early walk-in voting opened on Mon., Oct. 24. By this time in 2018, the turnout rate was 16.6%. Early voting is still available through Sat., Nov. 5 — learn more about voting early, Election Day, and the candidates here. 🗳️ (Fox 13 News)

Eat

This news is to pie for. Born and Bread Bakehouse (1113 S. Florida Ave.) has opened pre-orders for the holiday season. Place your order online to pick up one of this year’s pies: Brown butter apple, pumpkin custard, tart cherry, and holiday Key lime.

Watch

Oh, to be a kid again. The long-awaited Florida Children’s Museum is opening this weekend. Check out our video explaining some features you can look forward to. In case you missed it, we shared everything you need to know about the grand opening here.

Coming Soon

In case you missed it, construction at the South Florida Avenue Fresh Kitchen is well underway. According to the business’ website, doors are slated to open in early 2023. An exact opening date is TBA, but we already know our New Years’ resolution will be to try every fresh bowl on the menu. 🥗

Shop

Get ready to pop in. Take Heart (248 N. Kentucky Ave.) is hosting a special shopping experience this Sun., Nov. 6. Shoppers can enjoy an in-store popcorn bar and 10% off their entire purchase. 🍿
Head to Union Taproom (245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven) this Thurs., Nov. 3 for the November Night Market from 6-9 p.m. Shop from local makers like Cactus & Clover, Savage Moon Collective, Haven Coffee Roasters, and more.
The holiday season is just around the corner and we have the perfect wine chiller to keep your bottle of sparkly cool when hosting guests. Not only is it stainless steel and vacuum insulated, but its three different styles — teakwood, black marble, and calacatta gold — are sure to pop against your holiday decor. 🍾*

Seasonal

If letting go of the Halloween season is too scary to handle, worry not. You can get your last dose of a screamin’ good time at Sir Henry’s Haunted House through this weekend. Purchase tickets online for the final frightful nights — Fri., Nov. 4 and Sat., Nov. 5.

DYK

Did you know you can share your Black Friday deals with our LALtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wed., Nov. 16.

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Food

There’s a new brew in town ☕

An exterior shot of Black and Brew's patio

Grab a spot on the new patio and enjoy your favorite B&B menu items. | Photo by LALtoday

Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro opened its third location at 4209 S. Florida Ave. Here’s what you should know:

Know before you go
🚗 Express drive-thru — Order online, then head to the express drive-thru on the building’s north side. Ordering there? Place your order inside.
🥗 Menu — Choose from select sandwiches, tartines, salads, bowls, pastries, and drinks. This location does not offer soups.
🪑 Seating — Most of this spot’s seating is on its covered outdoor patio, but you can grab a seat inside for a cozy lunch, coffee break, or study session.

First impressions
Here’s what our followers are thinking so far:

“Just did the mobile window pick-up. Super fast and convenient. Took about 15 mins total from time order was placed. Next time I’ll plan time to chill there as it looks gorgeous!” — @rcabreraortiz
“I’m impressed how quick that happened! Can’t wait to check it out” — @shopmainandmonroe

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Rilee.

Editor’s pick: Can you believe it’s already December? Just kidding... mostly. In my house, the holiday classics start playing and the decor goes up annually on the first day of November.

I’m curious, are our readers already stuffing their stockings or waiting until after the Thanksgiving turkey to get in the holiday spirit? Let me know when you start hearing jingle bells. 🎄

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We talked about the upcoming grand opening of the new Florida Children’s Museum at Bonnet Springs Park, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

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