This holiday season, the Giving Gators charity group found their services were very much in need. A Thanksgiving Food Drive-thru on Nov. 21 at Ana G. Mendez University in Miami Lakes fed 400 children, organizer Daylin Garcia said. Food was also delivered to the homes of special needs students, she said. Families received frozen turkeys and ingredients for a Thanksgiving dinner; personal hygiene products from Procter & Gamble and vitamins from Pharma Natural. Other sponsors included Jadyrah Escobar and Vicente Rodriguez from Ana G. Mendez University South Campus; Eddie Blanco from Stratwell Real Estate; Yamila and Freddy Santana of Sunshine Quality Painting; Ariel Martinez of Presidente Supermarkets; Sysco; IMC Health and the Miami Lakes Town Council. Shown above, from Left to right are Rey Garcia, Giving Gators volunteer; Alex Enriquez, Giving Gators volunteer; Daylin Garcia, founder, Giving Gators; Hector Abad, Giving Gators volunteer; Jadyrah Escobar, director at Ana G. Mendez University South Campus; Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid; Denis Brenes, board member, Giving Gators; Miami Lakes Town Councilmembers Tony Fernández and Joshua Dieguez and sponsor Benjamin De Yurre. Photo courtesy of Daylin Garcia. Not shown in the photo: Miami Lakes Councilman Carlos Alvarez.