Berto gives time for Orlando toy drive

Posted Dec 18, 2009 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Dec 18, 2009 at 07:43 PM

Winter Haven welterweight champ Andre Berto is no stranger to giving his time for benevolent functions. Following that same path, Berto, who is preparing for a January showdown against Shane Mosley, traveled to Orlando for a toy drive.

Check out the press release detailing the event:

Andre Berto Embraces the Holiday Spirit in Central Florida

(WINTER HAVEN, FLA.) – WBC Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto (Winter Haven, Fla.) is enjoying the opportunity to share his own blessings with others during the holiday season. Berto took a morning off from training camp on Friday, heading east to Orlando to assist with a large, city-wide toy drive.

Berto went on a toy shopping spree on Thursday night to help ensure that several families in Central Florida will enjoy a Merry Christmas, despite the financial hardships Americans are facing across the country. He and his family helped out with the XL 106.7 FM Baby DJ Toy Drive, which is providing toys for needy families in Central Florida for the 18th straight year.

Berto and his younger sister, Revelina, older brother, Cleveland, and 2004 Olympian Ron Siler, hand delivered the toys to the Baby DJ Toy Warehouse on Friday morning. The trio got a glimpse at the incredible amount of toys that had been donated by people throughout the community.

“It’s amazing to see all of these toys that people have donated,” Berto said. “A lot of kids are going to have a Merry Christmas because of this, and I’m just happy that I could come and be a part of something like this.”

In addition to the toy drive, Berto’s Carma Foundation held their first Jingle Bell Ball on Sunday and raised over $50,000, which will benefit both the organization’s scholarship fund and philanthropic efforts in Haiti. 

The 26-year-old Olympian is currently in training camp in his hometown of Winter Haven, Fla., in preparation for his January 30th match-up with Shane Mosley.  Berto is finishing the fourth week of camp for the fight, which will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev.