Santa’s helpers push through tough economic times

Erica Simons, The Zephyrhills News, Dec 25th 2008

For the last several weeks, Bob Loring has been concerned some of the 1,000 children added to the Toys for Tots for East Pasco list this year might not get their presents, he said.

Now that the collected toys have been given out to area families, the Head Elf said he can finally sleep at night again.

“We were confident we could do this– well, I wasn’t – but my captains were,” Loring said. “We didn’t turn anyone away. We didn’t run out of toys.”

With a tough economy, the numbers of families who needed a little extra help during the Christmas season was significantly larger than past years, said Loring. The East Pasco chapter of the Marine Corps charity served 1,000 more children than previous years. Each of the four distribution locations opened Saturday to those who were pre-registered to receive toys.

“It would have been heartwrenching to have a family who signed up stand there and we didn’t have any toys to give them,” said Loring. “We certainly took a risk this year.”

Families began lining up at Alice Hall by 3 p.m. on Friday for the 8 a.m. distribution the next day, said Zephyrhills Co-Captain Dan Connelly.

“There was literally a line, four people wide, all the way to Fifth Avenue from the door at Alice Hall,” said Connelly, who grew up in Zephyrhills before joining the Marine Corps. He’s returned home and now helps with the program. “I was actually really impressed with how we did because Zephyrhills is such a small town.”

Although the final counts are still coming in, over 1,000 children were served on Saturday at Alice Hall, he said.

“I’m glowing with my admiration and appreciation for this community that has taken us into their hearts,” Loring said. “It was the best distribution we ever had.”

The Rotarians helped with providing socks and toothbrushes at several area locations, while another faith-based organization Food for Tots provided boxes of food for each family, said Loring.

Toys for Toys partnered with the new Wiregrass Barnes and Noble and shoppers were able to donate books to the cause. Two thousand of the total 4,000 children received a book.

“Toys R Us shoppers would have been envious of what we had going on there,” said Loring. “I’m just imagining Christmas morning; 4,000 kids are going to tear into presents.”

Also on hand Saturday to help distribute toys were Joyce Koprowski and Zephyrhills Police Officer Ken Keith, also co-captains. Green shirts that said, “Elves have more fun” distinguished the army of volunteer helpers. These “elves” acted as personal shoppers for the families, helping moms and dads pick out the perfect doll, truck or book.

“I know that our elves get more out of it than those that they help,” said Loring.
With another year behind him, Loring quickly focuses on the upcoming needs.
“I’m worried about next year already,” he said.

Koprowski and the rest of the Zephyrhills group is compiling data and getting set for the upcoming year. “I don’t know how it’s going to be next year. Everybody’s hurting,” she said.