Pie sellers in Kissimmee not raising money for Toys for Tots, organization says

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Residents in an area of Kissimmee said people have been going door to door selling pies and claiming they’re raising money for Toys for Tots and Osceola County Fire Rescue, but neither organization has sent a group out to raise money.

The residents said the group has been knocking on doors in the area US-192 and Bass Road.

“Thought it was someone I needed to talk to, so I went to the door and opened it and there was a gentleman standing out there with pies,” said resident Dan Martinson.

He said the seller launched into a pitch about raising money for Toys for Tots.

Residents said they were given a pitch about the money being divided between the fire department and Toys for Tots.

“It’s not positive. Because the whole point of the organization is to be able to have the community want to come together and help our families in need,” said USMC Gunnery Sgt. Kent Clark. “To be able to do something like that and you’re not contributing to the families who need it, that’s a negative.”

The Osceola County Fire Rescue chief said no one with his department has time to go door to door.

“There are people out there that are trying to take advantage of everybody’s Christmas spirit,” said Martinson.

Kissimmee police have not received any official complaints, but they’ve asked patrol officers to be on the lookout for the pie sellers.

Cox Media Group