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Clock Ticks Down On Toys For Tots 2008 Drive

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By SHERRI LONON

IN THE LOOP

Published: December 17, 2008

With one more day left for people to donate in the Toys for Tots of East Pasco drive, coordinator Bob Loring is getting nervous.

"I'm holding my breath," he said.

Loring's concern stems from the increase in registered families who signed up for assistance this holiday season. Although donations have been brisk, Loring said the need is great due to the economy. The nonprofit organization received double the requests this year over last.

Last year the organization provided toys for more than 3,000 children. Loring expects to serve about 4,000 this year. The East Pasco branch of Toys for Tots serves families in Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City and Lacoochee.

Despite some butterflies in his stomach about meeting the needs, Loring said the Dec. 6 Letter Carriers Toy Drive provided a huge boost to the group.

"We had a great postal drive," he said. "It was amazing."

That event had postal carriers throughout the Tampa Bay area collecting toys on their regular routes for Toys for Tots groups throughout the region. In Central and East Pasco, most of the drives did very well, Loring said. Dade City was the only one that experienced a drop in participation.

"We did very well," he said. "This community blows me away."
Post offices throughout Tampa Bay have participated in the toy drive for 10 consecutive years.
Kathy Sullivan of the Zephyrhills Post Office said the event is one that letter carriers look forward to.

"We love it," she said. "This is such a worthwhile endeavor."

This year is particularly hard, Sullivan acknowledged, which made the letter drive even more vital to the program's success.

"Economically, it helps families who might not be able to provide toys for their children at Christmas," Sullivan said. "We are performing something that's so beneficial to these struggling families."

Although many drop locations have already wound up collections for the Dec. 20 distribution day, Loring said donors will still find boxes at area Publix stores. They should remain in place through Dec. 18. Needed are new, unwrapped toys for infants through teens.

Sullivan is particularly fond of giving gifts to teens in need, saying they are often overlooked.

"When you hear toy drive, sometimes the older kids are left out," she said. "We get tons of toys for little kids. I, myself, try to look out for a decent wallet for a teenage boy, a nice top for a girl, a watch."

Although Loring's group serves multiple areas, he said toys collected in one community stay in that community.

To learn about the Pasco effort or to help, call Loring at (352) 588-4230 or visit www.toysfortotspasco.org.

Editor Sherri Lonon can be reached at (813) 948-4287 or at slonon@mediageneral.com.

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