Dorcas Drake

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Dorcas Broward Drake (September 23, 1916 — September 26, 1993) was an American judge, justice of the peace, and philanthropist.

The granddaughter of former Florida Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward,[1] Drake was best known for starting the Dorcas Drake Christmas Party and Toy Drive in Jacksonville, Florida. Held every consecutive Christmas from 1957 until 1993, Drake dressed in Santa Claus costume and presented gifts to needy children. At one point, it was estimated that Dorcas Drake's toys went to 50,000 children in Jacksonville every holiday season. Upon her death, the toy drive and Christmas party went on posthumously, but without Drake's direction, the toy drive and party have been replaced by the Children's Christmas Party of Jacksonville, which was first held in 1999.[2]

In 1989, she was honored by The Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women for Women's History Month.[3] She died at the age of 77 of cancer.

[edit] References

  1. ^ A street that Santa should visit again, Florida Times-Union, December 07, 2004
  2. ^ Kids' pleas for bicycles touched him, By KAREN BRUNE MATHIS, The Times-Union, December 19, 2006
  3. ^ Past Honorees of The Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women for Women's History Month