A tradition that has been ongoing for more than a century will return again this year to brighten Christmas Day for area youth.

“On Christmas morning, the Dr. Piper Center will continue its 109-year-old tradition of bringing joy to local children, thanks to the support of Suncoast Credit Union and several other generous businesses,” Dr. Piper Center for Social Services Inc. Development Director Irvine Bourdeau said. “The tradition began over a century ago when Sara Williams, the mother of Dr. Ella Mae Piper, started the event in her own backyard. She gathered a small group of children and provided them with food and toys on Christmas morning.”

The simple act of kindness grew into a community-wide celebration that now supports more than 400 children in Southwest Florida every year.

Registration for the event begins at 7 a.m. Christmas morning, Wednesday, Dec. 25, at the Dr. Piper Center, 2607 Dr. Ella Piper Way, Fort Myers. All children, ages 0 to 16, are welcome to attend. There is no need to pre-register, as families are asked to show up on Christmas morning to register their child.

The doors to Santa’s workshop open at 8 a.m. providing children with the opportunity to pick out toys of their choosing.

“Simultaneously, we’ll also have our bike raffle, where a lucky child will take home a brand new bicycle,” Bourdeau said. “Each child receives two to three new toys, and a healthy snack bag is provided to follow Dr. Piper’s tradition of feeding the children on Christmas morning.”

The Dr. Piper Center is still seeking donations for new, unwrapped toys for the boys and girls.

“We are especially in need of gifts for older children, particularly those ages 14 to 16. Items for this group include makeup, hair styling tools, blankets, electronics, sporting goods and other accessories,” Bourdeau said. “All toys must be new and unwrapped.”

Donations can be made through their Amazon wish list at: amazon.com/hz/wishlist , or can also be found at drpipercenter.org/christmas-celebration/.

In addition to the donations, Bourdeau said they are also seeking volunteers for Christmas morning. Shifts start at 7 a.m. and typically wrap up by 11 a.m.

“Volunteers are a crucial part of making this event a success,” she said.

Volunteers must register in advance by emailing Irvine@drpipercenter.org, or by calling 239-332-5346, extension 400. A full name, contact information and T-shirt size is needed. The deadline to register to volunteer is Thursday, Dec. 19.

The event has been successful over the years due to all its support from the community.

“We are grateful to Suncoast Credit Union, our title sponsor, for their generous support of this event. We would also like to acknowledge several other community businesses for their contributions. Purified Air, Gavin’s Ace Hardware, and Bimbo Bakery have been incredibly supportive by sponsoring, donating bikes, healthy snacks, and other resources to ensure the event’s success. Gavin’s Ace Hardware donates over 50 bikes each year for the past seven years, and Bimbo Bakery helps provide essential snacks. Additionally, the Boy Scout Troop helps by assembling the bikes for the raffle,” she said.

Bourdeau said they are also grateful for the Fort Myers Police Department, led by Officer Kenneth McCoy, for organizing Cram-a-Cruiser Toy Drive.

“Through this initiative, officers collect toy donations at various locations, including several gated communities throughout town, ensuring that every child receives a gift on Christmas morning,” she said.