The 14th annual Operation Changing Lives Toy Drive begins.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

To help spread holiday cheer to children in need with one toy at a time, a local non-profit called Operation Changing Lives is now collecting toys for their annual toy drive in Volusia and Flagler Counties.

The non-profit 501 (C)(3) medical service organization dedicates time to changing lives one face at a time. Founded in 2008 by Doctors John Akers, and Curtis Schalit, of Florida Oral & Facial Surgical Associates, its primary purpose is to perform life-altering maxillofacial surgeries on disadvantaged patients with severe facial deformities in the United States and abroad.

The Operation Changing Lives Toy Drive helps low-income families in the area who struggle to give Christmas gifts to their children and has partnered up with eight local schools across Volusia and Flagler Counties to identify children in need of some holiday happiness.

According to a release, Operation Changing Lives provided toys for more than 1,000 elementary school-aged children in the area last year and hopes to double that this year. Toys are collected until Christmas and received at the Florida Oral & Facial Surgical Associates’ offices in Daytona Beach at 549 Health Boulevard, New Smyrna Beach at 429 North Causeway, and Palm Coast at 21 Hospital Drive, Suite 180. Operation Changing Lives partners with area dental offices for toy donations.

Donations are being accepted during the Daytona Beach Shores Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 3, 2022, and at Cherise’s Salon in Daytona Beach Shores.

“There are so many children in our area who don’t get to experience the joy of the holidays and to be able to help them find a bit of that happiness is truly humbling. It is what Operation Changing Lives is all about,” said Dr. Curtis Schalit. “Operation Changing Lives has been a passion of ours for a long time and we are so honored that it was recognized as one of this year’s Passion Project winners by Allergan Aesthetics and Miami Cosmetic Surgery.”

For more information, visit their website.