TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Elves Get Toys For Tots Drive Under Way

ADVERTISEMENT

By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 28, 2007

RUSKIN - For the third year in a row, Don Pearson has donned an elf's hat to collect toys for low-income children.

With the 2007 Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive under way, businesses across South Shore have become Santa's helpers, too.

"In 2006, we filled a trailer with toys," said Pearson, the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce president. "The contributions have grown exponentially each year since we started."

The toy drive takes place in conjunction with Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287's Dec. 7 observance of Pearl Harbor Day.

The post hosts a holiday party for its veterans and for anyone contributing new, unwrapped toys.

The collection is then turned over to Staff Sgt. Keith Solomon, who coordinates the Toys for Tots operation for Hillsborough County. Last year, more than 200 groups collected in excess of 350,000 toys and $80,000, which benefited 79,000 children.

"I encourage any business or organization to get involved by calling me between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (813) 326-6147, or my assistant, Cedric Wilson, at (813) 326-6854," Solomon said.

Pearson said his involvement resulted from a conversation with Apollo Beach businessman Kevin Conlan three years ago.

"I recognized how the drive was kind of being dropped in the area," Pearson said. "It needed organization and coordination."

With the help of his Pearson Capital staff, Ann Hathaway and Sandra Alberti and VFW Cmdr. Bruce Scheller and his partner Shirley May, Pearson revved the toy drive into top gear.

The program kicked off in mid-November with a get-together at Pearson's home, where guests were encouraged to sign up their businesses as drop-off points, said Penny Smith of H&R Block. The public is then asked to participate by donating a new, unwrapped toy and taking it to one of the drop-off locations.

The boxes of toys will all be taken to the VFW post on Dec. 7, where they will be loaded onto a truck for later distribution by the Marine Corps Reserve, the event's sponsor and toy distributor.

That evening, the post will host a wrap-up party from 5 to 9 p.m., with food, entertainment by DJ Gary and a visit from Santa Claus.

"Admission is at least one new, unwrapped toy," Pearson said. "We invite the entire community to come on over and share in the fun."

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

• South Shore Falls Community Center, 5738 U.S. 41 N., Apollo Beach

• Trustco Bank, 205 Apollo Beach Blvd.

• Colonial Bank, 6530 U.S. 41 N., Apollo Beach

• Covington Park, 6806 Covington Gardens Drive, Apollo Beach

• Toll Brothers @ Harbour Isles, 203 Royal Bonnet Drive, Apollo Beach

• Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce, 223 Flamingo Drive, Apollo Beach

• Riverview Chamber of Commerce, 10520 Riverview Drive, Riverview

• Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, 315 U.S. 301 S., Ruskin

• Krewe of the South Shore Marauders, 5042 Ruby Flats Drive, Wimauma

• Coldwell-Banker Dolphin Realty, 202 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach

• Apollo Beach Physical Therapy, 229 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach

• A Peaceful Harbor Day Spa, 1512 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach

• Little Harbor, 611 Destiny Drive, Ruskin

• Oasis Natural Therapies, 102 S. Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center

• Beanie's Family Sports Grill, 2002 U.S. 41 S., Ruskin

• Century 21 Beggins Enterprises, 6542 U.S. 41 N., Suite 101, Apollo Beach

• Weichart Realtors SouthShore, 237 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach

• Circles Restaurant, 1212 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach

• Sun City Center Funeral Home, 1851 Rickenbacker Drive, Sun City Center

• Acupuncture & Wellness Center, 205 Shell Point Road, Ruskin

• Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office substation, 6494 U.S 41 N., Apollo Beach

• Apollo Beach Dollar Store, 6424 U.S. 41, Apollo Beach

• H&R Block, 515 U.S. 41 N., Ruskin

• H&R Block, 205 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach

• H&R Block, 717 Imar Drive, Sun City Center

• Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287, 5120 U.S. 41 N., Ruskin

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT