ORLANDO, Fla. — The holiday season can prove to be complicated.

On one hand, it can be the best time of the year and bring the best out of people, but on the other hand, it can be a time of struggle.

What You Need To Know

  • A pair of Osceola commissioners hosted their own Christmas events to give out free toys

  • The toys were given to benefit families who may be in need during Christmas

  • The events were free to the public and at a first come, first serve basis

  • Commissioners Brandon Arrington and Peggy Choudry ask the community to reach out with whatever they need

That’s why two Osceola County commissioners wanted to hold events to help make this time a little easier for families in need. 

Vice Chair Brandon Arrington said this is the time of year he looks forward to the most.

“It’s one of the better events and better days we get to have as commissioners to be honest with you,” Arrington said. “The chance to make sure that every kid has a gift for Christmas. That’s probably the biggest takeaway for me.”

Arrington’s Christmas Party started ten years ago and is a toy giveaway.

This year’s event was at Valencia College’s Poinciana Campus and included a visit from Santa, horseback riding and face painting.

It was an event that parents like Reggie King couldn’t pass up on.

“It’s always fun to take part in events like this and spend time with the kids and enjoy being a part of the community,” King said.

King just moved to Florida and thought this event would be a great opportunity to get his kids some toys they’d love.

“My son is a big fan of dinosaurs, and this worked right out for him to get this dragon. He loves it,” King shared. “And we have this big plush blow-up thing that glows in the dark and will take up most of my house for my daughter.”

King wasn’t the only one.

Some folks waited in long lines for more than an hour to ensure their kids could pick something to take home.

It was a similar scene across town for Osceola District 1 Commissioner Peggy Choudry’s toy giveaway.

Her event allowed for kids in her community to have some ownership of finding a gift.

“They’re able to pick what they want themselves and we’re also raffling bikes and we’re doing all of those things to make sure you know that they’re happy,” Choudry explained.

Choudry was joined by the Salvation Army and Betty Amador to hand out gifts and see the smiles on kids’ faces as they enjoy their favorite animated characters.

But most importantly, they hope to fulfill a need.

“I want them to know that community is one and we all work together to help each other out and like just like how we’re partnering with other organizations, including the county, we want to partner with them,” said Choudry. “And the things that they need we want them to let us know. And we want to continue to help our community because that’s what comes first for me.”