Pasco Toys for Tots Reveal holiday Plans

To: Santa
From: Bob Loring,
Co-Chair of the Toys for Tots of East Pasco
Date: November 9, 2005
Subject: 2005 Toy Distribution

Dear Santa;
Per your request, here are our Toys for Tots Christmas toy distribution plans for east Pasco County, 2005. Our goad is to provide toys and other necessities for 3,000 needy Tots who reside in our poverty-stricken neighborhoods. We plan to set up toy collection bins this month. We will again be counting upon the extraordinary Post Office Letter Carriers Toy Drive to fill our coffers with exiting new toys for needy children.

This year, toys will be distributed Dec. 17, a Saturday, in five locations. The Dade City event will be held on the campus of Pasco-Hernando Community College. We are exited the college has agreed to allow us to use their newly renovated campus. We shall invite the families of children we serve to have a first-rate experience on this lovely campus. Our goal is to demystify the college experience.
In Zephyrhills, our event will take place at Alice B. Hall Community Center. Again, Boy Scouts, Marines and many other eager volunteers will assist families select toys and other items for their children. And again this year, the Marine Corps League will host an expanded toy distribution for the rest of that week to provide toys to families that may have missed our main distribution day.
The Land O’ Lakes distribution will again transpire at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center on U.S. 41. With the help of our active volunteer base, our efforts will be enhanced by our valued Land O’ Lakes High School Interact Club, as well as many other extraordinary elves.

Our Tri-Community distribution, including Lacoochee, Trilby and Tri-Lacoochee, will take place at the Methodist Church in Trilby. We will count upon many new volunteers to help us.
And Santa, this is new this year: We are planning full-service toy distribution for the children in the Wesley Chapel area. We have partnered with the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and expect to provide a holly-jolly Christmas for many deprived Tots.
In regards to your question about what is a full-service toy distribution, I am pleased to report that the caring people of Pasco have insisted we do more than provide toys. With communities’ support, we have opened the door for other community organizations, businesses, individuals and churches to have a role in our growing efforts by providing other essential items for these families.

As you may remember, for the past four years a faith-based organization called Food for Tots has provided our families with a huge box of food staples for Christmas dinner. Also, local Rotary clubs and other civic organizations have assisted by providing other necessary items. And the list of desired items continues to grow. We now hope to provide school supplies, skivvies, clothing, dictionaries and other services.

Seeing each year that we need to expand to meet the needs of our increasing population of children living in the bitter clutches of poverty, we have attracted many new friends and supporters. The list is very long, but I wish to recognize some: Trinkets for Tots, an incredibly exiting student-initiated project, will provide Christmas gifts to the teenagers of our families. A coalition of Health Maintenance Organizations is assisting in our distribution areas with supplies and cheerful person-power.
The fine folks of Premier Community HealthCare Group are assisting our families and children with health-related issues and helping with planning and extra logistical support. Eager members of Rotary and Lions clubs have once again stepped up by helping with other needed items, and members of Pasco County Fire Rescue will assist collecting and storing toys until our distribution.

Students from many local schools, including PHCC and Saint Leo University, and Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cubs and Brownies will again help us sort and distribute gifts. The Marine Corps League will assist collecting and distributing toys. Heyl Truck Lines and R.E. Garrison Trucking are sponsoring two large trailer trucks for us to store our toys, and many fine businesses and organizations will provide drop-box sites. (See our Web site, toysfortotspasco.org, for sites and distribution locations.)
Santa, the list of partners and folks assisting us is always growing. Please witness those pitching in to provide the continuing power we need to meet our goals and make sure that no Tot is sad on Christmas. I also wish to thank Pat and Rick Elder for managing our Web site and providing media support to our year-round efforts.

Each year, we have to work smarter, not harder, to meet the growing challenges of providing a joyful holiday season for these precious children. With the help of the Almighty, the participation of our delightful volunteer elves and, of course, the generosity of our Pasco neighbors, we will once again meet the exceed our goals.

Santa, thanks again for your interest in our blessed program and the kids we serve. I promise we will prevail in our efforts to provide a joyful Christmas for many deserving Tots throughout east Pasco. And thanks for all you do to bring the spirit of Christmas to us all. In the immortal words of Tiny Tim, another small boy in need, “God bless us, everyone!”
- Semper Fidelis