Donated toys are sorted at Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue Station 27.
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH – Members of Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue, Indian Rocks Volunteer Firemen’s Association, and Pinellas Suncoast Community Emergency Response Team have made it part of their mission over the past eight years to collect and distribute toys for area children.
The department has been able to assist several area families as well as the Greater Ridgecrest Area Youth Development Initiative, Suncoast Center for Community Mental Health and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
The 2009 toy drive will be at the Publix store at the corner of Vonn and Walsingham roads on Saturday, Dec. 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Unwrapped toys also may be dropped off at Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue Station 27 in Indian Rocks Beach.
According to Tom Leyman, chairperson of the Publix toy drive and member of the Indian Rocks Volunteers, it started as a car show with a toy for admission.
“With the tightening of budgets of nonprofit organizations, it has become more difficult for these agencies to provide for as many families as they would like to; so they are very grateful for any assistance they can get, and we are glad to help out. It’s very rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of the folks from the agencies,” Lehman said.
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