The West Palm Beach office of Arnstein & Lehr and our client IBERIABANK partnered again for the “Heartfelt Holiday Toy Drive” to benefit children served by Achievement Centers for Children & Families. The toy drive was open for community participation and ran from November 26 through December 12.
This was the third year that IBERIABANK and Arnstein & Lehr sponsored the toy drive. The two worked in cooperation with the National Arts Institute’s Kids Rule! in the Arts. Kids Rule! is a vital community program designed by the National Arts Institute (NAI), providing a venue for local high school students in the arts to give back and invest in their communities.
The collected toys were distributed to children of the Achievement Center at a special event at the Palm Beach Zoo’s Tropics Cafe last Thursday afternoon. Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand, as well as representatives from IBERIABANK and Arnstein & Lehr to distribute the gifts to hundreds of local children and escort them on a tour of the zoo. A dance troupe of children ranging from four to five years also performed during the celebration while WRMF 97.9 FM played holiday music. To view pictures of the event, please click here.
Karen Poindexter, producer at National Arts Institute of Palm Beach stated, “NAI’s mission supports “Kids Rule in the Arts” program designed to bring local businesses, community and kids together as kids helping all kids in need of a Heartfelt Holiday!”
“We have formed a great partnership with IBERIABANK, the National Arts Institute and the Achievement Centers for Children & Families and most importantly we are guaranteeing that the neediest children will have a happy holiday season,” said Steve L. Daniels, managing partner of our West Palm Beach office. “We are fortunate to be in a position to help our community and hope that our neighbors will also get involved through toy donations.”
The toy drive was heavily promoted on WRMF 97.9 FM and WPTV-TV of West Palm Beach and featured Steve promoting the event. To watch the spot that aired on WPTV, please click here. Anyone wishing to donate a new, unwrapped toy was asked to drop them off at our West Palm Beach office or any IBERIABANK location in Palm Beach or Broward County, where collection boxes were stationed to receive the toys. Cash donations were also welcome.
“Last year, we were able to really make a difference for the children of the Achievement Centers by providing toys and some holiday spirit through the help of the community, our clients, our partners and our associates,” said Lori Dean, IBERIABANK Retail Sales Manager. “As a company, we feel it’s important to give back to the community and when we do, we find that our local communities really come through for those in need. It’s a great feeling to give back.”
This year’s “Heartfelt Holiday Toy Drive” was an overwhelming success with close to 600 toys collected and distributed, along with a cash donation to the Achievement Center from IBERIABANK and Arnstein & Lehr.