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Generosity Still Amazes Toy Drive Organizer

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Organizer Don Pearson, center, is surrounded by Marine Staff Sgt. Shane Oiumette, left, Anne Hathaway, his assistant, Marine Cpl. Michael Gilreath and Terry Graham of the Riverview Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

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By LOIS KINDLE lkindle@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 17, 2008

RUSKIN - Judging by the number of toys stacked floor to ceiling, you'd never know the country's in a recession.

South Shore gave big to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Drive, even more than last year's record-breaking total.

"I can't begin to guess how many toys we collected," said organizer Don Pearson of Pearson Capital in Apollo Beach. "We were absolutely overwhelmed and thoroughly impressed by the generosity of the community, despite the slow economy.

"We thought it might be tough going this year, but the toys just kept coming," he said. "We never suspected it would be so big. All I can say is we exceeded expectations and previous drives by far."

A wrap-up party took place at Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287 Dec. 7, where representatives of the 55 businesses that served as collection sites brought their boxes.

Individuals in the community also attended the event, which Pearson estimated brought in 400 to 500 people. Admission to the party, which was catered by Pearson and his staff, was one new, unwrapped toy.

Pearson said the number of business sites also increased this year - up from 36 in 2007. That might account for part of the increase in donations, he said.

In the four years since Pearson became involved with Toys for Tots, the event that brings Christmas to children in need has flourished.

"Every year, the drive gets bigger," Pearson said. "According to the Marines, the South Shore drive is now the third-largest in Hillsborough County behind the postal workers' and the Bucs."

Former Marine Cpl. Terry Graham of the Riverview detachment of the Marine Corps League, the Toys for Tots coordinator for southern Hillsborough County, agreed.

"South Shore is third out of more than 200 groups that collect toys all over the county," he said. "The 17-foot truck we used last year wouldn't have been big enough for all the toys, so the Marines sent down a larger U-Haul from Tampa.

"I'd estimate we have at least a 25 percent increase in donations this year."

To view a photo gallery related to this story, visit www.tbo.com and enter the search words "South Shore Toys for Tots Drive." To view a photo gallery related to this story, visit www.tbo.com and enter the search words "South Shore Toys for Tots Drive."

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