November Phlocking
November Phlocking Charity: City of Punta Gorda Fire Department - Christmas Cheer
The City of Punta Gorda Fire Department's "Christmas Cheer" program started in 2014 when a local teacher came to firehouse Station 1 asking if we could support her class at the Baker Center with a Christmas toy drive providing a small gift for each child, and of course we immediately agreed but we asked what more we could do to support her class. So, the fire department combined with City of Punta Gorda police department started a toy drive requesting and receiving toy donations to provide every student in that teacher's class with a Christmas toy. And every year since then we have grown the "Christmas Cheer" program to now provide every student in the school with a Christmas gift, a pop-up book, a Santa hat, and a little cozy fleece blanket. Now today we are providing all of these wonderful gifts to on average 200 plus students annually! In addition, local businesses and civic clubs, just like Charlotte Harbor PHC, have joined the effort as partners further extending our outreach to children in the community, children of families in need, and two foster homes as well. We greatly appreciate your support and thank you for each of the children whose lives you touch with your gift donations. CHPHC members are requested to bring toys as described below to the November phlocking where Punta Gorda fire and EMS personnel will be present to gather them up and deliver to the children. The "Christmas Cheer" flyer from PGFD mentions bringing them to the firehouse, but that is not required.
The list below is a summary of children's Christmas "wish list" toys as these particular toys duplicate each year with the age groups represented in the community. All toys should be new in original packaging with a price range of $20 maximum. Please do not pre-gift wrap toys. All toys should be age appropriate for children ages 5 years old and younger. we have babies ages 6-9 months old also so baby toys are appreciated. We please ask that no shooting/knife, or face makeup toys be included.
Items Requested:
Baby dolls for girls of all ethnic groups with clothes, Doll Houses, and assorted accessories
Superman, Batman, Spiderman, GI Joe, Black Panther
Minnie and Mickey mouse dolls
Dinosaurs, Farm Animals, Mega Blocks for small children
Barbie's, Disney Princesses, Encanto, Moana, Frozen, etc.
Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story
Footballs, Soccer Balls, Basketballs
Toy Dump Trucks, Fire Trucks, Police Cars, Race Cars
Paw Patrol, Stuffed Animals, etc.
For all planning to attend our November phlocking please remember we will be having our holiday food drive at Punta Gorda Walmart, so be sure plan to attend this event and help us collect food donations from the public and overwhelm St. Vincent DePaul again this year!!!
November Phlocking Entertainment:
The Ralph Curtis Duo is our entertainment at the November phlocking. Their performance during the club’s birthday celebration weekend last year was cut short by weather so we’re glad to have them back. Ralph Curtis is a singer/songwriter originally from Fairfield, CT. After studying music at Endicott College, he moved to SWFL in 2014. His debut EP “Sandbar Sideways” was released in 2021. More recently, Ralph’s song Whatever’s Left in the Bottle” has been featured in the motion picture “iPossessed.”
Hunter McDaniel is a singer/songwriter from Naples, FL. After studying composition at Florida State, Hunter has released several projects, including his newest piano improvisation project “Water the Mind.”
Hunter and Ralph recently toured the east coast in 2023 and continue to write projects together.”
