STUART, FL – For nearly four decades, United Way of Martin County has ensured the holiday season is a time of hope and joy for local families. This tradition continued with the successful completion of the annual Toys For Tots Holiday Project, a community-wide effort designed to support children and families facing financial hardship.
As the local coordinating organization for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots program, United Way of Martin County partners with the Martin County School District and dozens of nonprofit agencies, schools, and community organizations to screen and refer families in need. Through these partnerships, the 2025 Holiday Project provided assistance to more than 854 families, reaching 2,674 children across Martin County.
Just after Thanksgiving, the Martin County Fairgrounds transformed into a bustling distribution department store. Over the course of the project, 359 volunteers donated 1,536 hours to sorting, organizing, and distributing gifts, ensuring families were met with a welcoming, respectful, and dignified holiday shopping experience.
Thanks to the generosity of community members and local businesses, the Holiday Project collected and distributed 24,523 toys, including 428 bicycles and 26,878 pounds of food, helping families celebrate the season with joy and relief. Any remaining gifts were thoughtfully redirected to children and students served by local social service agencies, extending the project’s impact even further.
“The Toys For Tots Holiday Project represents the very best of our community,” said Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, President & CEO of United Way of Martin County. “Because of our partners, volunteers, and supporters, hundreds of families were reminded that they are seen, supported, and not alone during the holiday season.”
This monumental effort was made possible by the generosity of volunteers, local businesses, community organizations, sponsors, and individual donors. United Way extends a special thank you to Wilmington Trust, Ashley Capital, STS Aviation Group, Zweben Law Group, iHeart Radio, WPTV, Waste Management, Martin County Fire Rescue, AmeriCorps Seniors, and House of Hope, as well as our referral partners and the 151 local businesses that served as toy collection sites throughout the county. Together, their generosity strengthened families, uplifted children, and helped ensure the holidays were brighter for those who needed it most.
The Toys For Tots Holiday Project is one of United Way of Martin County’s largest volunteer-driven initiatives, requiring months of planning, coordination, and collaboration. Each year, it serves as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when community comes together with a shared purpose.