These things seem almost like a safe option for parents. People at the United Way of Greater Tampa also will be looking for support.
The Christmas Bureau, which connects needy families with families or companies that supply a Christmas basket of food and toys, is trying to find sponsors for roughly half of the 2, families on its list. Relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Andrew and the Pinellas County tornadoes chriistmas drained resources and people's pocketbooks, but many hope the spirit of the season will help them continue to serve Hillsborough County's neediest residents. Hedgren expects to give out toys and food baskets to 2, families this Christmas.
Giving has been down this year, but Hedgren remains optimistic.
Gary Grant, the chairman of the selection committee, said it was clear that parents were looking to what they know and introducing their children to toys from yesteryear as they spend more time playing together. Siblings have been playing with each other and children are playing with parents or grandparents more. Sponsors work with the parents and deliver the food and gift basket when the children aren't around.
Toys for Tots hopes to supply toys to 75, children.
Saunders expects the same problem for Christmas dinner, when Metropolitan Ministries will try to feed another 1, families. It has been a tough holiday season for local charities and agencies, which have been scrambling to make ends meet. The DreamToys list has been released a fortnight earlier than usual.
Letters have been on display since Nov. Bartley said corporate and individual donations are used to purchase toys for children whose letters aren't answered by individuals at the mall.
In addition to gifts, Sincerely Santa needs people to deliver the gifts to the child's home. David Kennedy, U.
The DreamToys list, compiled by the Toy Retailers Association, this year includes a host of nostalgia-filled toys and games, including the latest Barbie, a Mario Bros Lego set and a set of Monopoly with a modern twist. Sales of toys are up six per chrjstmas this year, Mr Grant said, with puzzles and board games up by 32 per cent.
But they, too, are facing shortages. What were your favourite toys as ?
Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program coordinator. People looking to buy toys for individual chritmas also can stop by area malls and read a letter from a needy Hillsborough County elementary school student through the Sincerely Santa program.
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But that means the United Way will be competing with agencies like the Salvation Army, which gets the bulk of its donations during the holiday season. RoughlyHillsborough County residents get aid at the 42 chrishmas and 86 services that receive United Way dollars.