Troopers Double as Santa’s Helpers: Donations Needed

LAND O’ LAKES, FL — It’s no secret that the holidays are a busy time for Florida Highway Patrol troopers. After all, with all the festivities and seasonal cheer, keeping Tampa Bay area roads safe for motorists is serious business.

But, there’s one guy who’s just a little bit busier this time of year: Santa. That’s why the members of the patrol’s Troop C have announced they’re pitching in to lend a hand. The troop’s annual drive for Toys for Tots has officially kicked off and runs through Dec. 20.

During the next few weeks, troopers are hoping to see collection boxes at the patrol’s stations in Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Hernando counties overflow with toys for good little boys and girls. To make it so, the drive is open to residents who also want to pitch in to lend a hand to the jolly old elf from the North Pole.

Donors who want to give to the cause are asked to drop off new, unwrapped toys at any of Troop C’s five stations in the region between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

Toys for Tots is an annual project undertaken by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The program became an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve back in 1995 when the U.S. Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official activity. Since then, Marines and their supporters, such as the men and women of Troop C, have donated more than 512 million toys to more than 237 million children in need.

To support Troop C’s toy drive, just drop off donations at the following locations in the Tampa Bay area:

• 11319 Ponce DeLeon Blvd., Brooksville
• 17028 Ayers Road, Brooksville (Land O’ Lakes station)
• 3247 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland
• 6855 62nd Ave. N., Pinellas Park
• 11305 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa

For more information about Toys for Tots, visit its website.

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