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Share the Spirit this holiday season
Article published on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006 |
Groups and organizations throughout Pinellas are sharing the true spirit of the holidays this season, and they're looking for community support. The following is a list of planned events to bring seasonal cheer to those who need help.
Holiday card sales benefit Gift of Food organization
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH – Students representing various Pinellas high schools will be selling holiday cards through Dec. 23 to benefit the Gift of Food on the weekends at select merchants along the beach. The Gift of Food is an organization created and operated by students to feed the hungry in the community, with 100 percent of the money raised by the students donated to RCS Food Pantry. The RCS Food Pantry serves an average of 4,000 people a month and the need is steadily rising. Cards will also be available at the grand reopening of Sarah’s Seaside Resort on Dec. 17. These unique cards decorated with original art, are available for $20 (the cost of feeding a family of four for two days). Call 517-1823.
Belleair Bluffs collecting items for children
BELLEAIR BLUFFS - Residents are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys, videos, books or sporting goods appropriate for children from infants to age 16 to the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Monday, Dec, 4, 6 p.m. at the Community Center, 2747 Sunset Blvd. The items will be presented to the Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocate Unit for families in need this holiday season. Gifts also may be dropped at City Hall until Wednesday, Dec. 13; or, a check made out to “Ride with the Stars Inc.” can be mailed to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Drawer 2500, Largo, FL 33779-2500.
Gift Wrapping and Trees of Love
CLEARWATER - Countryside Mall in Clearwater and Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg will host The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast holiday fundraiser Gift Wrapping and Trees of Love through Dec. 24. Gift Wrap consists of volunteers wrapping holiday packages and gifts for patrons. Trees of Love is an event where customers purchase a paper dove, write a special messages or the names of loved ones as a memorial or honorarium. The dove can be placed on a tree located at the mall or taken home. Volunteer opportunities available. For information, call Ashley Surdyk at 727-523-3419 or send an e-mail to ashleysurdyk@thehospice.org.
Adopt-a-family program for Hanukkah
ST. PETERSBURG – Congregation B’nai Israel will sponsor St. Petersburg’s Gift and Craft Show, on Sunday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 4. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since “giving” is the theme of the season, CBI, in conjunction with Gulf Coast Family Services, is sponsoring an adopt-a-family program for Hanukkah. In the spirit of “Tikun Olam,” the Hebrew phrase for “repair the world,” envelopes will be available in the CBI lobby during the show containing holiday wish lists for new, unwrapped gifts donated to less-fortunate families. Congregation B’nai Israel is at 300 58th St. N. Call CBI at 381-4900.
Operation Christmas Child
LARGO – Westside Christian School students are working on a project, Operation Christmas Child, to get toys to children worldwide for Christmas. The project is a ministry of Samaritans Purse, under the supervision of Franklin Graham. Last year 7 million shoe boxes went to children in 95 countries. Suntasia Marketing of Largo made a $1,000 donation; teachers shopped and students wrapped and labeled. Donations can be made to Family Ministries or the school. Call the school at 517-2153.
Motorcycles buzz by for toy collection
LARGO – St. Petersburg Powersports will sponsor a motorcycle run on Saturday, Dec. 9, to collect toys for children at Pinellas Village, a nonprofit apartment community for single parents. The run will begin at Trike City at 6020 126th Ave. N. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and kick stands go up at 10 a.m. for the ride. The motorcycles will pick up toys at St. Pete Jeep, 2500 34th St. N.; St. Pete Powersports, 555 34th St. S.; New Journey Fellowship, 4951 78th Ave. N.; and Softails Eatery, 6032 Seminole Blvd. They are expected to arrive at Pinellas Village between noon and 1 p.m. to drop off the toys and visit with the children and parents. Pinellas Village is a 120-apartment community at 8384 Bayou Boardwalk. Its mission is to provide single-parent families the opportunity to achieve economic and emotional self-sufficiency through on-site and community-based resources and safe, affordable housing. Call Iskra at 674-8388 or e-mail jeff@newjourneyfellowship.com.
Help needed for children's Christmas party
TAMPA BAY - Pasco and Pinellas County Greyhound Terminals and American Veterans Post No. 1 in St. Petersburg are preparing for their 12th annual children's Christmas party on Dec. 10 and are hoping to give at least 50 to 60 children a very merry Christmas that wouldn't have one. There will be a magic show, food and beverage and, best of all, Santa will be there with gifts of toys for all the children. Organizers also hope to help supply some of the families with donations of food for Christmas dinner. Donations or new toys, food and cash are needed. Jack Harris and Ted Web of WFLA will be sponsoring the party and will be inviting needy children and families to our Christmas party. For information on how to help, call Keith Brendle at 727-526-0797 or AMVETS Post No. 1 at 727-896-4122.
Help A Child seeks sponsors
ST. PETERSBURG - Help bring the holidays home by becoming a sponsor for a child in need. Help A Child is seeking sponsors to purchase items from its children's wish lists or to make a cast donation. The gifts will be distributed on Saturday, Dec. 16, during the Children's Holiday Party. More than 200 children are invited to the party. Each will be greeted by Santa Elves and have a souvenir picture taken with them. Children also will be served drinks, cookies and pizza. Santa is scheduled to arrive after lunch and will give every child a sack of goodies, which includes toys, clothing and shoes. Anyone interested in sponsoring a child, can call Bobbie Gilgosch at 864-2684.
Salvation Army preparking for 'Season on Miracles'
ST. PETERSBURG - For many local families who are in great need, Thanksgiving and Christmas can be the loneliest and most depressing time of the year. The Salvation Army brings joy and hope to these families while spreading the message of the season of miracles throughout the world.
This holiday season, The Salvation Army St. Petersburg Area Command will provide hundreds of local children and individuals that would otherwise have no reason to celebrate. The public is encouraged to share in the blessings that come from helping others.
- Feed the Hungry Food Drive - Local schools, mobile home parks and companies will be collecting canned and non-perishable foods for thousands of local families and elderly residents. Salvation Army volunteers will distribute the food throughout the year to needy individuals and families.
- Adopt a Family - The number of families struggling financially this year is on the increase. Anyone wishing to adopt a family will receive information on each family member, such as name, age, clothing & shoe sizes, and dream gift. All gifts are to be distributed Dec. 20 and 21.
- Angel Tag Gift Drive - Local companies will be displaying Christmas trees adorned with Angel Tags that will include the name and information on a needy child. Company employees wishing to "adopt a child" for Christmas will select an "angel" and help create a "Christmas miracle" for a child that may otherwise have no Christmas presents this season.
- Red Kettle Bell Ringers - Synonymous with the Christmas season, bell ringing has been a Salvation Army tradition since 1895. Red Kettle proceeds help us provide meals, shelter, clothing and holiday assistance for needy families. The 2007 Red Kettle campaign will run Friday, Nov. 16 through Dec. 24. There is no bell-ringing on Thanksgiving Day or on Sundays. Groups can "adopt" a particular Kettle site by volunteering to ring bells at that site during an established timeframe. Groups can adopt the site for the entire holiday season, a week, a weekend or a day.
- League of Mercy Seniors and Veterans Visitation Program - Nursing home residents and hospitalized seniors and veterans are visited each holiday season by The Salvation Army League of Mercy volunteers who bring food baskets, presents and holiday comfort and joy.
- Christmas Meals for the Hungry - Hundreds of homeless or near-homeless families in this area come to The Salvation Army each Thanksgiving and Christmas day for holiday meals. Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve the meal in addition to sorting and packaging food baskets for needy families.
- Christmas Distribution Center - Located at 3800 Ninth Avenue North, in St. Petersburg is where donated toys and Christmas gifts are sorted, wrapped, organized and distributed to the families that have registered for assistance. Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of areas.
For more information on how to be a part of The Salvation Army Season of Miracles, call 727-550-8080. The Salvation Army St. Petersburg Area Command center is at 340 14th St. S., St. Petersburg.
Salon West joins drive to feed hungry
LARGO - Salon West, 301 West Bay Drive, with Redken 5th Avenue NYC and the b.cause foundation will support America's Second Harvest, the nation's leading food bank network. Donations can be made at Salon West. Checks can be mailed to b.cause, P.O. Box 4814, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or visit bcause.org.
The Share the Spirit listing will be updated throughout the season. To add a listing, send an e-mail to webmaster@tbnweekly.com
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Article published on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006
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