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Some Santas Have Badges

Scott Iskowitz/Tribune photo

HSCO Deputy Brian Pulido shops with his wife, Veronica, and daughters, Michaela, 5, left, and Danielle, 8, at Wal-Mart.

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By Tribune correspondent Lenora Lake

Published: December 14, 2007

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TAMPA - The shoppers were on a mission: spend $4,000 to help almost 200 children -- some only a few days old -- in foster care.

Armed with lists, 15 Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies, 10 volunteers from Foster Angels and 15 Wal-Mart employees headed to the toy and clothing departments at Wal-Mart, 19910 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., this morning.

The store and two other Wal-Marts donated the money, which would be spent at the New Tampa store and another Wal-Mart. This was the seventh year that Deputy Judy Woster organized the shopping spree.

Woster said 1,500 children are in foster care in the county in private homes or group facilities.

"We are shopping this morning for 100 children. And then we just got 10 newborns taken into care just yesterday," she said. "Also, we have more than 60 teens that people forget about."

Deputy Brian Pulido of Plant City brought his wife, Veronica, and his home-schooled children, Danielle, who turned 8 on Friday, and Michaela, 5,

"We wanted [our children] to see how good they have it," Brian Pulido said.

Col. Carl Hawkins was among those loading dolls, trucks, games, shirts and pants into shopping carts.

"What we do is make this Christmas a happy one for them," Hawkins said.

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