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Toys For Tots, United Way Collect For Kids

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By TONY HOLT, Hernando Today

Published: December 1, 2007

SPRING HILL - In years past, the United Way of Hernando County collected toys through a local high school club in the hopes of imbuing a few dozen underprivileged children with the joy of Christmas.

This year, the group's goals are much loftier. Volunteers are aiming to give toys to 450 local children.

Along with the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program, local residents will not have to look far to donate one or more toys for needy kids.

"With everything that's available, any toy drive (people) participate in is great," said local United Way spokeswoman Kathy Jones. "Servicing our children in our community is what's important."

The United Way is sponsoring its first-ever toy drive Saturday, Dec. 8. It will coincide with a Christmas concert at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Christian folk group Potters Clay Band will perform. The show is free, but attendees are asked to donate at least one unwrapped toy.

The concert will begin at 6 p.m. The church is located at 6139 Spring Hill Drive.

For the past three years, the United Way joined forces with the Beta Club at Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math. The Beta Club will continue to collect toys as will six local agencies - the CDS, City of Brooksville, Jerome Brown Community Center, the Harbor, Jericho Road Ministries and H.E.A.R.T. Literacy.

Toys for Tots has drop-off locations stretching across the county from Brooksville to Spring Hill. Bins are set up at various locations - including Shakers Grill & Club, located at 31077 Cortez Blvd., less than a half-mile east of Interstate 75.

"Basically, we wanted to participate because there are too many underprivileged kids without presents this Christmas," said Gordon Jones of Shakers. "We came from the same areas and this is a way for us to give back ... The economy is not good right now. People are getting laid off and we didn't think the children should have to suffer."
Cash donations also are accepted at any official drop-off location. Checks should be made out to Toys for Tots.

Today, the Spring Hill Drifters will be sponsoring a car show in the Chick-fil-A parking lot at the intersection of Cortez Boulevard and Mariner Boulevard. Participants are required to register at 11 a.m. by donating an unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots. The show itself will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Trophies will be given to the top cars.

The U.S. Postal Service also is getting involved this year. Letter carriers will collect new unwrapped toys today for the Toys for Tots program. Residents are asked to leave a toy in bags or boxes by their mailboxes.

Those parents who would like to register their children to receive gifts this Christmas are asked to do so from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Hernando County Fairgrounds. The last day to register is Monday, Dec. 17. The fairgrounds are located at 6436 S. Broad St. in Brooksville.

The program is for children 6 months old to 12 years old. Parents and legal guardians must register in person and bring proof of residency. They also are required to show a birth certificate for each child.

Toys for Tots Drop-off Sites

Brooksville:

AVA Hot Spot, Atomic Tattoos, Baird Homes, Butterfly Life of Brooksville, Cash Advance, Central High School, Cracker Barrel, Crystal Dodge, Dunkin' Donuts of Broad Street, Cox Lumber, Marge Homan's Tax Service, Marine Corps League No. 708, Physical Therapy Services, Register Chevrolet, Shakers Grill and Club, U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting, West Hernando Middle School, Caglianone, Miller, Anthony Attorneys at Law, Tree Care by Robert Miller and Wells Fargo Financial.

Spring Hill:

Accuform Signs, American Legion Post 186, Atria AVA Hot Spot, Evergreen Woods, Changes Adult Fitness Center, Clearwater Mattress, Compass Bank, Complete Technology Solutions, County Line Cafe, Crabbits Pub, Discovery Point Daycare, Dr. Kycynka, Dunkin' Donuts, Edward Jones Investments, Gold's Gym, Hernando County Utilities, Hernando County Veterans Services, High Point Golf Club, Superior Bank, Mirage Hair studio, Hernando Mitsubishi, Jiffy Lube, Mariner Bowling Lanes, Movie Gallery locations, New-U-Weight Loss Center, U.S. Postal Service at Kass Circle, Printing Plus, Pristine Liquors, Prudential Pro Reality, Silverthorn Club House, Spring Hill Fire Rescue, Spring Hill Lanes, Springstead High School, State Farm Insurance, The UPS Store, Vicki's Haircuts and Washington Mutual.

Hernando County:

Bealls Outlet, Big Lots, Caldwell Bankers, Family Dollar, Dollar General, Hess, Publix, Suncoast Schools Credit Union, Walgreens, Weichert Realty and Winn Dixie.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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