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Service Center's Party Spreads Holiday Cheer, Gifts

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By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2007

RUSKIN - Fifty-nine children in the Hillsborough County Head Start program got an early visit from Santa, thanks to some generous county employees and Wal-Mart.

"This year was a rough one for many people, including our folks," said Maria Garcia, a Head Start social worker. "For the majority of families in our program, these will be the only gifts the children receive."

"It meant so much to me and my family," said Alicia Ramos, the mother of a 4-year-old daughter. "We weren't sure if we would be able to buy her a gift this year. I think it's an awesome thing that there are people still out there who think about people like us."

Garcia said she spoke to several parents Dec. 19, which was the day after the Ruskin Community Service Center event. She said their children couldn't wait to open one or two of the gifts they received.

"They told me they wore the clothing to the Head Start school the next day."

Head Start is a federally funded preschool program for low-income families. The county operates a facility behind the service center.

Santa's visit was part of a Christmas party hosted by the service center for the children and their families. In addition to the gifts presentation, the two-hour event included a craft activity and holiday dinner. The Head Start children sang "Feliz Navidad," a Christmas carol popularized by Jose Feliciano.

Service center manager Dee Fridella thanked those who made the festivities possible.

"All of the children in the Ruskin Head Start program were adopted by service center employees and employees of several other Hillsborough County departments," she said. "They purchased an outfit, shoes, socks, underwear and a toy, and many also gave cash."

Additionally, the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue's Fire Prevention Division office donated a smoke alarm and stuffed animal for every gift bag, Fridella said. Office personnel also donated $300 in cash.

All cash donations were added to a $1,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation for the purchase of $25 gift cards for each family.

"It was heartwarming to see so many organizations come together for the Head Start children and their families," Fridella said.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS

• Catholic Charities Family Support & Resource Center, Ruskin

• Florida Department of Children and Families, Ruskin office

• Florida Home Partnership, Ruskin

• Ruskin Community Service Center Advisory Board

• South Shore Regional Service Center

• Ruskin Head Start

• Hillsborough County Department of Aging Services

• Hillsborough County Department of Children's Services

• Hillsborough County Health & Social Services

• Hillsborough County Library Services

• Hillsborough County Fire Rescue's Fire Prevention Division
• The Wal-Mart Foundation

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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