Teen's annual toy drive brings Christmas joy to Golisano Children's Hospital

NAPLES, Fla. - A 17-year-old from Naples is spreading holiday cheer to children in need.

Gia Shaheen, a junior at the Community School of Naples, organized her annual toy drive, Gia's Toy Drive, bringing joy to kids at Golisano Children's Hospital on Monday.

"We had to get a big truck, like, it was kind of like a U-Haul truck, and it was just like full of toys and boxes of toys," said Gia.

Gia, with the help of friends and family, manages the toy drive entirely on her own. Her mission is to provide gifts to Golisano Children's Hospital patients in time for the holiday season.

"It's definitely a process," said Gia. "We have 12 drop off locations, and then we put them there in November, and then we pick them up in December. So from there, we have to go and check up on them, because they're overflowing with toys."

The toy drive has grown each year, with Gia collecting and gifting more than 1,000 toys this year.

She has been dedicated to this cause since she was very little.

"We used to live in Chicago, and we moved here in my 7th grade, so we've been doing it since I was 7 years old," Gia said. "In Chicago's Ronald McDonald Houses. And now, I'm 17, so it's been like, 10 years, and it's amazing."

When asked about her motivation?

"Because I get to know that I just put smiles on so many kids' faces," said Gia. "It's just like, how can you stop doing it?"

Gia is already planning for next year's drive. Those interested in helping or becoming a drop-off location can find more information by emailing them at ToyDriveGolisano@gmail.com.