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Toys For Tots Seeking Support Of Local Residents, Groups

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 15, 2007

I am pleased to announce that the Toys for Tots Foundation in Quantico, Va., ( www.toysfortots.org), has cleared all Toys for Tots program coordinators to conduct our customary toy drive and distributions.

As usual, our toy drop boxes will be strategically located throughout communities. Again this year, on Dec. 1 (a Saturday) our faithful friends from the U.S. Postal Service will conduct their highly productive Letter Carriers' Toy Drive.

With excellent assistance from Pasco County school counselors, we shall identify and register the children we intend to serve. Off-duty members of Pasco Fire Rescue and scouts will assist us in collecting and sorting our toys.

Toys for Tots of East Pasco intends to re-create last year's successful program by hosting five area toy distributions for children residing in the Dade City, Zephyrhills, Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Tri-Lacoochee areas.

This year's distribution will again be supported by our friends from 'Food for Tots,' who will provide an enormous box of food essentials for each of our participating families. We shall seek local Rotary Club support again this year to provide our children with socks, underwear ('Skivvies for Tots') and other essential dental hygiene items.

Our goal this year is to provide Christmas toys and other necessary items to more than 3,000 needy tots. As usual, we will count on the big-heartedness of thousands of faithful Pasco residents to meet our lofty goals.

Additionally this year, our brother program, West Pasco Toys for Tots, in cooperation with Hudson Middle School, will open a second distribution site on their side of the county. E. J. Koczur, the Marine Corps League coordinator, noted: 'We hope to better serve the underprivileged children in the northern part of west Pasco.'

For information regarding both of Pasco's Toys for Tots programs, please visit www.toysfortotspasco.org.

Bob Loring is lead coordinator for Toys for Tots of East Pasco. This year, Toys for Tots is celebrating its 60th year of operating throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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