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Letter carriers collecting toys on Dec. 2
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006 |
PINELLAS COUNTY - Santa and the local Toys for Tots program will receive some help on Saturday as letter carriers and residents join forces in the annual toy drive.
Residents are asked to place new, unwrapped toys by their mailbox on Saturday, Dec. 2. Local letter carriers will pick up the toys and deliver them to the Toys for Tots collection site.
Postal workers at the Seminole, Largo and Clearwater post offices said everything is ready for the annual collection. They say the toy drive is something letter carriers look forward to because it's something that helps the community and makes Christmas better for local children.
Residents will receive a flyer about the toy drive in their mailbox, according to Lori McMillion, one of the toy drive coordinators.
Al Friedman, another coordinator, said the toy drive is countywide. He said that the Marine Corp coordinator in Pinellas said that the letter carriers' annual toy drive brings in about half of the toys collected in the county.
"We're trying to get the word spread," Friedman said.
Friedman said he was "blown away" by the number of toys collected in Pasco County last year. He said volunteers sorted the toys in one of the school's cafeterias and then moved everything out to the gymnasium where parents who register with Family Services come through and pick out toys for their children.
According to information at the Toys for Tots Pinellas County Web site, the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program started in 1947. Last year, about 12,300 children around the county received toys through the Toys for Tots program.
"This year we expect the need to be greater than last, and we are asking for you to help," the Web site said.
Local businesses and private citizens join together to help out in a number of ways, from volunteering with collecting toys, such as what letter carriers will do Saturday, to providing places for people to drop off toys, to sorting toys and getting them ready to deliver.
Everyone can help out by donating a toy.
"Toys for Tots embodies the true spirit of Christmas," according to the Web site. "The gift of a shiny new toy - something that most children take for granted - means to a needy child that someone cares, that he or she hasn't been forgotten, that Christmas hasn't passed him or her by."
Several collection points have been set up around the county, including Publix Supermarkets, Dollar General stores, Dollar Tree stores, Dupont Registry, General Dynamics, Bridgeport Tires and Clearwater Mattress.
Some businesses are offering special incentives to those who bring in toys. Atomic Tattoos will give a $20 gift certificate in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy. Dr. Remmel's Chiropractic office at 6446 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. in St. Petersburg is offering a free exam in exchange for toys. Call 525-1141 for more information.
People who have large items to donate can call 813-805-7942 to arrange for a pick up.
People who want to volunteer to help or need more information can send an e-mail to toysfortotspinellas@yahoo.com.
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Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006
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