Greater Tampa officially joined the STEM Gift Drive in 2026, expanding the campaign’s mission and impact into the Temple Terrace & Tampa Bay community.
Bringing businesses, organizations, volunteers, and donors together to support future innovators in the Greater Tampa area.
2026 Campaign information
Campaign Dates: November 1 – December 21, 2026
Public Drop-off locations:
- Campaign Hosts TBD
Private Collection Hosts:
- TBD
2026 Campaign Events:
- TBD
Greater Tampa Elfing Day
Elfing Day marks the conclusion of the annual campaign, when collection partners and volunteers bring together the STEM gifts collected throughout the community for delivery to CANDO. Hosts can collect gifts at any time during the year rather than our six week official campaign, but the gifts are all dropped off at Elfing Day.
What if I can’t make it to Elfing Day?
- If you are hosting a collection and can’t make it to drop off gifts on Elfing Day, make sure to coordinate a time the week before the event with the STEM Gift Drive team.
- If you’re an individual donating and can’t make it to Elfing Day, consider using our Amazon Wish List to make your contribution.
Get involved, Tampa!
Kim Hilsabeck
CEO (Chief Elf Organizer), STEM Gift Drive Tampa
Amazon Wish List
(Coming soon)
Monetary Gifts
(Coming soon)
Beneficiary
The Greater Tampa Campaign benefits the Robotics Program of the Caribbean American National Development Organization (CANDO), a Tampa Bay community organization committed to community development, education, and opportunity. Through its robotics programming, CANDO provides young people with hands-on opportunities to explore robotics, coding, technology, and other STEM concepts while building skills, confidence, and curiosity about STEM careers.
CANDO was selected as the Greater Tampa STEM Gift Drive’s designated charitable partner because its youth robotics programming directly aligns with our mission of expanding access to STEM learning, exploration, and opportunity.
MOU available for review upon request. CANDO EIN 27-1676123.
Our Greater Tampa Impact
The Greater Tampa STEM Gift Drive may be new in 2026, but its local leadership brings more than a decade of experience with the campaign. Kim Hilsabeck has served in STEM Gift Drive leadership since its founding in 2015. After bringing her business to Tampa in 2025, she saw an opportunity to bring that same commitment to STEM access and community impact to her new home. We’re excited to build a strong Greater Tampa campaign alongside local businesses, organizations, volunteers, and donors—and to see the impact this new community can create.
STEM Gift Drive impact 2015-2025:
- 10+ Years of Service (established in 2015)
- 2,639 Gifts Collected
- $65,975 Impact Value (calculating at average of $25 per gift plus monetary donations)
- 28 Supporting Businesses and Organizations