Barnes & Noble Allies with Toys for Tots
By Bob Loring

I was singing an annoying rendition of “Here Comes Santa Claus,” as I cheerfully drove towards the new Shops at Wiregrass in Central Pasco. I wanted to be on hand for the gala ribbon cutting of our area’s new Barnes & Noble book store. For ten years now, ever since I became the “Head Elf” of Toys for Tots of East Pasco, I have longed for the opportunity to add a needed “Books for Tots” element to our, ever-growing, ever-improving toy distribution. And here, I thought, was our best chance of realizing that notable vision.

Before the store opened in early October Cynthia Mason, the new store’s Community Relation Manager, contacted me and set up a meeting with the new store’s manager, Karen Dietz. Of course, I jumped at the chance to discuss plans to partner with them during the upcoming holiday season. As many of our friends and supporters know, our program seeks to involve all elements of our community to obtain new and exciting methods of providing toys, and other essential items for many of Pasco’s poverty bound children. One of the important elements lacking in our on-going effort is to establish an effective literacy component in play for these, our ‘at risk’ children. And working with the fine folks at Barnes & Noble would be our best opportunity to realize that longed for dream.

Let me take a moment to describe the new Wiregrass Barnes & Noble book store. Walking up to this massive two story building simply takes ones breath away. The outer facade looms large and gives the observer the feeling that he/she is entering an enchanting castle. Inside, the shopper is immediately astounded by the sheer vastness of this two-story building. It is simply one of the most stunning book stores that I’ve ever had the pleasure of shopping in. Cynthia took me on a full tour of this captivating superstore for book lovers. We pressed on to the elevator that whisked us up to the second floor where my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. For there were housed the two sections I’d been seeking: the history-book department, and the children’s section.

On October 29th, after the ribbon cutting, many assembled book lovers and many children flooded into the store and fanned out to seek their own personal sections of interest. The coffee shop quickly filled up as the cheerful Starbuck quickly began filling the orders for many exotic caffeinated and caffeine-free thirst-quenching beverages.

By the time I reached the children section, our Pasco School Superintendent, Heather Fiorentino, was sitting on the children’s “Story Book” stage. She was reading to a score of fully engaged small children. Her book selection, Tommie Turtle’s Secret, was written by a local author named Robert Z. Hicks, or Mr. Bob, as he’s affectionately called. In Mr. Bob’s rhyming-story picture book, Tommie Turtle takes on speedy Hoppy Bunny in a race to teach the bunny valuable lessons about friendship. A surprise twist at the end highlights moral values of forgiveness, and that being nice, not teasing, is the way to make friends. And importantly, an otter named Ollie came to understand Tommie’s intriguing, “special abilities” secret of success; which propriety, of course, will not allow me to divulge. I will, however, record that if you are looking for a delightful Christmas present for a small child in your household, you might consider purchasing a copy of Tommie Turtle’s Secret. For that darling picture book will fill the bill nicely!

Having a full service Barnes & Noble in our area brought tears to my eyes. For I have amassed a “to die for” home library, and I plan to keep its shelves stocked with Noble books acquired from our friends at Barnes. But most importantly neighbors and friends, Barnes & Noble plans to be a valued community partner to us here in East Pasco and New Tampa. For their plans include assisting our school system, our Rotary literacy efforts, and of course, our ‘always faithful’ Toys for Tots program.

Literacy is one of the most important goals of any farsighted and globally competitive society. Simply put, our children need to acquire and improve their reading habits and skills. And, we are indeed fortunate to have such a fine book outlet here in Eastern Pasco County.

I take this opportunity to welcome Barnes & Noble to our community with open arms! And thank you Karen & Cynthia, for offering to helping us to improve the education and minds of our children. Speaking as East Pasco’s Toys for Tots “Head Elf” I can candidly declare: we need all the help we can muster.