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Despite Challenges, Toys For Tots Pleases

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By GEOFF FOX

gfox@tampatrib.com

Published: December 24, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - People were lined up outside the Land O' Lakes Community Center on U.S. 41 as early as 4 a.m.

The Toys for Tots gift giveaway wasn't scheduled to start until 8 a.m. Dec. 20 and Herb Roshell, who managed the Land O' Lakes location, wondered for a while whether there would be enough gifts to go around.

"We've doubled what we did last year," he said Saturday around 11 a.m., as people led by volunteer "elves" were still getting gifts off the tables. "We thought we'd be in trouble at first, but the donors really came through."

He said about 25 truckloads of board games, stuffed animals, school supplies and a variety of age-specific toys had been donated by local stores - Big Lots, Publix, Wal-Mart and Walgreens - as well as through Land O' Lakes and Sunlake high schools.

Volunteer Yvonne Perkins, co-sponsor of Land O' Lakes High's Interact Club, said the community center's back building was jammed with people for hours.

"The majority of the people were very happy," she said.

The community center was one of five locations where Toys for Tots distributed gifts. Other sites were at Wesley Chapel Elementary School, the Alice Hall Community Center in Zephyrhills, Pasco-Hernando Community College's east campus in Dade City and New Life Assembly Church in Trilacoochee.

Bob Loring, executive director of Toys for Tots East Pasco, said this year's giveaway was among the most challenging he has encountered in his 10 years leading the organization.

"Look at the economy," he said. "It's so sad. I field so many calls from families that never thought they'd be in a position where they had to ask for help for their children at Christmas.

"But the community responds to us and believes in us."

In Land O' Lakes, Eddie Davis, stepson of site manager Herb Roshell, browsed a selection of toys with a local woman.

"How old is your son?" he asked her.

"He's 5," she said.

Eddie scanned a table for a specific toy. His eyes widened when he saw a fire truck.

"This is pretty cool, if you ask me," he said.

In a moment, he held up another truck.

"I like this, too."

Volunteer Ryan Askew, 23, wore a green T-shirt that said: "Elves have more fun." He said it was his first year volunteering with Toys for Tots.

"I just heard about this and figured I'd like to help out the best I could with my time," he said. "I don't have a lot of money. I'm unemployed, so I'm feeling it, too."

As "Let It Snow" played on a nearby radio, a woman broke into tears of gratitude when a volunteer gave her a tricycle.

"It's awesome to see the looks on some of their faces," Roshell said. "It's just awesome."

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Keyword: Pasco Toys for more photos.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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