Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe participates in holiday toy drive
Partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Bradenton Alumnae Chapter to collect toys for underprivileged children in Sarasota and Manatee counties
SARASOTA, FL – For the second year, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is partnering with the Bradenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (BAC DST) on the “Keishonda Packer Cooper Holiday Toy Drive.” The effort, being held under the auspices of Toys for Tots, will benefit homeless and underprivileged children in Manatee and Sarasota counties. For the second year, Bealls Outlet will donate toys to the toy drive.
All new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls are welcome. From December 2-14, community members in Sarasota can drop off toys at the following locations:
- Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe offices (1343 Main St., #402) from 10:30am–4:00pm Monday-Friday;
- Westcoast Black Theatre (1646 10th Way, Sarasota) from 7:00-8:00pm Tuesday-Saturday, and from 1:00-2:00pm on Saturday -Sunday; or
- Family Heritage House Museum at State College of Florida (5840 26th Street W., Bradenton) from 11:00am-6:00pm Tuesday-Thursday, or Saturdays and evenings by appointment.
Toys are being collected for the following schools: in Sarasota County, they will be distributed to Gocio Elementary School, Emma E. Booker Elementary School, and Fruitville Elementary School. In Manatee County, toys will be distributed to Visible Men Academy, James Tillman Elementary Magnet School, Manatee Elementary School, and G.D. Rogers Garden Elementary School.
While new, unwrapped toys are being sought for all ages, Sarasota Toys for Tots especially requests monetary donations to purchase gifts for pre-teens and teenagers. Checks made out to Sarasota Toys for Tots would be most appreciated.
“As we prepare to present our holiday offering, ‘A Motown Christmas,’ we feel it’s appropriate to do whatever we can to spread the warmth of the holidays with those who are in need,” said Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe executive director Julie Leach. “We thank the Bradenton Alumnae Chapter of DST for partnering with us in an effort to bring smiles to the faces of many children in Sarasota and Manatee counties this holiday season.”
For more information, call the BAC DST at (941) 677-2970 or WBTT at (941) 404-7801.
About Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe:
The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida, Inc. is the only professional black theater company on Florida’s West Coast. The mission is to produce plays that promote and celebrate the African-American experience, attract diverse audiences, while using its productions as a vehicle for supporting African-American artists and building the self-esteem of African-American youth. For more information on WBTT, visit the website at westcoastblacktheatre.org or call (941) 366-1505.
