On Sunday, December 16th, the 25th Annual Joys and Toys Holiday Party will be held for 2,000 to 3,000 needy children of South Miami-Dade ages 5-12 years.

The celebration will be held at Dodge City Picnics, 16330 SW 147 Avenue, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.   

This holiday celebration is tree to county-wide agencies and nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged youth in foster care, and those whose families are homeless, returning veterans, jobless, or struggling during a down economy.

It will feature free food, drinks, large rides, bounce houses, giant slide, kiddie-rides, a petting zoo, obstacle courses, face painting, holiday arts and crafts.  The highlight of this event will be the arrival of Santa Claus in a helicopter. 

Entertainment will include  performances by the Miami Heat Dancers, the Hip Hop Kidz,  and the Homestead Job Corps’ Art and Cultural Recreation Program, a nationwide program that provides workforce opportunities for youth, many of whom share the same background as the children they will serve.  Their performance  will include a  Reader’s Theater short version of “Scrooge“, and excerpts from “Holiday Customs Around the World”, directed by Cornelia Corky Dozier, founder of the Coconut Grove Playhouse Children’s Theater, and written by Dr. Alice Johnson.  Holiday Customs will focus on the  Holiday and Christmas Traditions & Customs  that are celebrated in  Miami-Dade County, to include Christmas in Latin America and the Caribbean, Hanukkah, (a Jewish celebration), and Kwanzaa, an African American holiday celebration of culture and natural heritage.

Donations welcomed. For additional information and RSVP’s call 305-232-8161 to ensure there is plenty of food and drinks for all.  

No child will be turned away!