By Bob Loring

On Monday, January 2nd, my beguiling wife and I hosted a meeting of respected community leaders. This fine group of individuals had recently preformed spectacular service for each of their East Pasco communities. In their role as “Captains” of our December’s Toys for Tots toy distribution events, they had excelled. In fact, this past year, we had surpassed our stated goal of providing Christmas toys, food, and other essential items to many children Toys for Tots serves. Throughout East Pasco, and in all five toy distribution locations, they supervised the distribution of needed assistance to 1000 certified families and their 3000 cherished Tots.

First, on our agenda, these honored Captains, (Jessica White, Laura Knickelbein, Shannon Dukes, Denny Mihalinec, and Anna Fulk, and key representatives from the Marine Corps League, detachment #1124) regaled us with heart-warming stories of their experiences during this past year’s Christmas toy distribution. (Note: Captains and other key players: Sylvia Salazar, Mary Anderson, Laura Quintana, Pastor David Raley, Sister Jean Abbott, Susan Hutson, & Rick Elder were unable to attend this “After Action” celebration meeting)

Next we began the process of setting our goals for the calendar year 2006. Considering that each of these exceptional folks had recently completed the enormous task of providing toys and other assistance throughout their diverse communities, I was pleased but not surprised these Captains cheerfully accepted each of our planned event challenges.

In 2006, our key events will include:

A Job Fair event: We shall attempt to establish a job-interview event in selected communities aimed at providing summer jobs for teenagers of our disadvantaged families. Here we plan to invite local community business owners to meet, interview and, hopefully offer summer jobs to teenagers in need.

A 5th TAD Congress: In the summer 2006 we will host our 5th annual TAD Congress. There we will invite representative from social services agencies, business leaders, faith based groups, community service clubs, educators, and concerned citizens to attend. Our topic will be the health and well being of our ‘at risk’ youth. Our main goal here is to: coordinate our communities’ various activities and resources via forward-thinking networking.

A Health Fair event: Here, and with the help of a number of caring doctors and nurses, we hope to, again, provide back-to-school physicals for as many uninsured children as possible.

A STEPS event: Again this year, we plan to collect and distribute school supplies to the children Toys for Tots serves. (Note: STEPS is an acronym for: School Tools that Empower & Promote Success.)

A “Toys for Tots” event: Again in 2006, our illustrious Captains will host a, full service, toy distribution event at each of their five (5) convenient locations throughout East Pasco: Dade City, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes/Lutz, the Tri-Community and in Wesley Chapel. Here, as in the past, we will continue to count upon the awe-inspiring generosity of our partners, volunteers, and neighbors that reside throughout East Pasco County.

I have every confidence in our respected Captains, supported by a benevolent community, that they will again address and meet the harsh conditions experiences by children living in the bitter clutches of poverty. It is our hope that by mobilizing our communities, we shall also set a standard for other caring communities to emulate. Our task may be great but, our faith and resolve for creating a ‘unified-community’ effort is greater. We will not, and we must not fail, for the lives and futures of many Pasco Tots stand in the balance. For more information about our noble quest please visit our awe-inspiring web site: www.toysfortotspasco.org ‘

And, may 2006 prove to be a most enchanting New Year for one and all!

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