The 'WE' Holiday Mixer Story

 

The WE Toy Drive is the brainchild of Joseph White and Phillip Etheredge (WE), and is a philanthropic component of their annual holiday mixer.

For years, Joe and Phillip hosted a bright, vibrant and popular holiday mixer for friends and coworkers.  As the event became larger and an ever-growing number of people attended,  attendees - to a person - asked "What may I bring to help out?”
After years of telling everyone “Nothing, thanks. We got this," WE decided to answer by suggesting "Why don't YOU bring a toy for an appreciative child, and WE will take care of getting them distributed to these deserving kids!”

WE didn’t stop with collecting toys from a holiday mixer; WE coordinated our efforts with a local business and set up drop boxes in five locations across the Tampa Bay area. With that - and elevated by YOUR generosity - the inaugural WE Toy Drive was set in motion. It was a rousing success.

WE selected, as recipient for that year's holiday gathering, the National Pediatric Cancer gathering. They're all about children, and WE have a personal connection to this organization and its noble mission. 

Last year, WE had to rethink the holiday mixer because of social distancing, but WE didn’t want to stop collecting toys for children. So for the second year's toy-themed "mixer," WE held a toy "Drive-By" instead of the mixer, and partnered with more businesses as drop-off sites and expanded our outreach to the local neighborhoods.
WE also went door-to-door spreading word of the Toy "Drive-By" event. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital was selected as recipient  because of another personal connection to Joe and Phillip. 

With social distancing in the rearview mirror for 2021, WE are keeping the holiday mixer safe with another Toy "Drive-By," but have expanded the toy collection drive time and network of businesses, with more than 10 participating local, domestic and global businesses. Johns Hopkins is again this year’s recipient organization of the WE Toy Drive because of its continued commitment to provide expert pediatric care for infants, children and teens with some of the most challenging medical problems in our community.

WE are proud and humbled to organize this event each year; it's become a passion, a calling, a mission. And it makes a difference in the lives of so many children.

So for the winter holiday of 2021, WE challenge everyone to engage with our reply to the annual question: "What can I bring?"
How about a toy; a good thought for children in need; and the hope-in-action belief that this year will end on a better note. For all.

We appreciate your participation and generosity, and ask you to join us again as we celebrate the best parts of our world.

Sincerely,

WE
Joe White
Phillip Etheredge