Dorcas Drake
Deceased Person
1916 – 1993
Who was Dorcas Drake?
Dorcas Broward Drake was an American judge, justice of the peace, and philanthropist.
The granddaughter of former Florida Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, 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. After 1993 the party was continued until 2003 by Jonetta Drake and family. Dorcas 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the toy drive and Christmas party went on posthumously, but without Drake's direction, the toy drive and party have been replaced by the Children's Christmas Party of Jacksonville, which was first held in 1999.
In 1989, she was honored by The Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women for Women's History Month. She died at the age of 77 of cancer.
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