FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Central and Southwest Fla., November 6, 2025 - Crews Bank & Trust branches are once again serving as collection sites for Christmas gifts for children in need. Donations will be distributed through Toys for Tots, St. David’s Jubilee Center of Englewood, The Salvation Army, A.N.A.’s Friends, Heartland for Children, and Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to support organizations that make a real difference for families in our area,” said M.W. “Larry” McLaren IV, Chief Banking Officer at Crews Bank & Trust. “The holiday season is a time for generosity, and we’re honored to help ensure children and teens in our community feel remembered.”
By providing a brand-new gift, something many families take for granted, the community can help those less fortunate believe that someone cares and that the magic of the holiday season hasn’t passed them by.
Arcadia Branch Collects for Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is among America’s top-rated charities. The program is run entirely by volunteers under the leadership of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The Toys for Tots motto is “Every child deserves a little Christmas.”
The Crews Bank & Trust Arcadia East branch will have a Toys for Tots collection box at 2747 S.E. Highway 70, Arcadia, through early December. The lobby is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
Englewood-Area Branches Support St. David’s Jubilee Center
St. David’s Jubilee Center of Englewood provides services and resources to individuals and families in need throughout the greater Englewood area. In addition to operating a food pantry, clothing closet and backpack program offering kid-friendly snacks, the Jubilee Center also distributes Christmas gifts to children and teens.
The greatest need each year is for gifts for teenagers, as this age group is often overlooked in traditional toy drives. Suggested items for teens include fishing equipment, sports balls, board games, books, arts and crafts supplies, and personal care sets. New, unwrapped gifts for all ages are appreciated and help bring holiday joy to those who might otherwise go without. Donations may be dropped off at the following Crews Bank & Trust locations through Dec. 17:
- Gulf Cove branch, 12651 S. McCall Road, Port Charlotte, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
- Cape Haze branch, 8725 Placida Road, Suite 10, Placida, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
- Boca Grande branch, 301 Park Ave., Boca Grande, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.
The Salvation Army and A.N.A.’s Friends Wish Lists
The Salvation Army, an evangelical Christian organization, has supported those in need since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through social services that range from providing food for the hungry and disaster relief, to offering shelter for the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.
A.N.A.’s Friends is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting abused, neglected and abandoned children in Southwest Florida. Formerly known as Guardian ad Litem – 20th Judicial Circuit, A.N.A.’s Friends’ mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where every child can experience love, kindness and the opportunity to thrive.
For Salvation Army and A.N.A.’s Friends programs, customers and visitors to the bank are invited to select one or more wish cards, purchase appropriate gifts, and return unwrapped gifts (with the wish cards attached) to the branch.
The Salvation Army wish lists are available at the following Crews Bank & Trust locations:
- Peachland branch, 24163 Peachland Blvd., Port Charlotte, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
- Punta Gorda branch, 2331 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
- Venice branch, 207 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday.
- Sarasota branch, 15 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Salvation Army gift collection ends Dec. 4 at the Punta Gorda and Peachland branches and Dec. 10 at the Venice and Sarasota branches. In addition to children’s wish lists, the Venice and Sarasota branches will also collect wish list items for seniors.
A.N.A.’s Friends wish lists are available at:
- Murdock branch, 1100 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
- North Port branch, 4300 Aidan Lane, North Port, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
- Parkside branch, 3002 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
The A.N.A.’s Friends gift drives conclude Nov. 28
Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive at Winter Haven Branch
The Winter Haven branch is participating in the Rudoph Round-Up Toy Drive for Heartland for Children, a community-based care agency dedicated to improving the safety, permanency, and well-being for all children in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties.
Holiday gifts are being collected for children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are living in foster homes, placed with relatives or non-relatives, and /or are living in group homes away from their family and friends. Gifts for infants and teens are especially encouraged through new, unwrapped gifts for children of all ages will be accepted through early December.
The Winter Haven branch is located at 347 W. Central Ave. and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bowling Green Branch Supports Florida Flywheelers
Crews Bank & Trust Bowling Green branch is partnering with the Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club to collect new toys and nonperishable food to be distributed by Frostproof Care Center, Help of Ft. Meade, Lake Wales Care Center, and Avon Park Professional Firefighters.
Donations may be dropped off Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., by December 20 at 4821 US Highway 17 N, Bowling Green.
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Crews Bank & Trust team members invite customers and community members to share the spirit of the holidays by providing new toys for local children in need. Pictured with last year's donations at the Murdock branch from left: Retail Banking Officer Brandi LeClaire, former Guardian ad Litem Administrative Assistant Tracy Trotter, and Personal Bankers Christine Dauro and Lori Peikert.