Former clothing store is toy central for Salvation Army project

Argosy University staff members arrived recently at University Mall with a truckload of children's gifts.

Bicycles, games, shoes and socks were quickly unloaded, and 72 names were marked off a list of more than 6,500 children whose families have asked for assistance with gifts this year.

Priscilla Charite of The Salvation Army's Angel Tree Project is thrilled, hugging the delivery group of school staff members.

"Where other people are cutting back, your group bumped it up," Charite told them.

"We have already set our goal for next year - 100 names," said Melanie Storms, president of the university's campus in West Tampa. "We did 50 last year and 72 this year."

Her school is just one of about 100 companies, organizations or individuals who assist with the 37-year-old annual project.

Each year The Salvation Army's Holiday Toy Shop opens in late November to collect the donations. This year it is in the former Steve & Barry's clothing store at University Mall. The location also is the distribution location where 2,652 families will come weekend of Dec. 19 to get their children's gifts.

It is also the site where volunteers will work day and night to be sure giant black bags for each family are ready for pickup and no child is left out.

The families applied for the assistance in October, said Salvation Army Major Dawn Heard, who is overseeing this year's Toy Shop operations.

She said the economic downturn brought an increase of 300 families this year with more than 1,500 names still to be taken as of last week.

"It is very difficult for some. We have some people who have never thought they would ask for help," Heard said.

Families must be at or below the federal poverty level, and children must be 15 years old or younger. Exceptions can be made for families who have incomes slightly above the poverty level, but expenses are higher because of medical problems.

Parents and guardians compile a wish list for their children from a list of options. They also include one needed item.

"The main item I have seen this year is a coat or a pair of shoes," Heard said.

Those requests struck a nerve with Jill Conrad, Argosy University's human resources director, who coordinated the drive at the school

"When you read the needs ... socks, underwear," she said.

"Angels" shop using a list for the child and return the items to the Holiday Toy Shop or to a company or organization coordinating that specific drive. The Salvation Army also uses money donated in its red kettles outside stores to purchase extra toys and gifts in case a child's name is not taken or it is taken from an Angel tree but the gifts are not returned.

Children 4 and older receive a filled stocking, too. Scout troops and service clubs often fill them, Heard said.

Volunteer Shirley Brown of West Tampa checked a box of filled stockings recently, closing them with staples.

"I just like to do it," Brown said. "I love kids."

TO HELP

Names are still waiting to be taken by companies, individuals or organizations. Angel trees with names and wish lists are in University Mall, 2200 E. Fowler Ave; The Salvation Army headquarters, 1100 W. Sligh Ave.; and television station WFTS, Channel 28, 4045 N. Himes Ave. Names also are available by calling (813) 549-5285.