Toy donations keep growing

Marines save lives in time of war.

This month they are saving Christmas.

All of the toys collected at all of the Toys for Tots drop-off sites were brought Friday night to Central High School. Even after several hours of giving them away, the cafeteria remained packed with toys and games.

It was timely not only because of Christmas, but because of what is happening with the economy. Organizers thought it was bad last year.

Hernando County's unemployment rate surged to 14.7 percent last month, compared to 10.2 percent a year earlier.

Twelve months ago, the Navy Junior ROTC program at Central High School participated in a Toys for Tots program that distributed more than 20,000 toys to local kids.

It was even bigger this year. The cafeteria was packed Saturday with stuffed animals, board games, stocking stuffers and tens of thousands of other toys. Parents formed long lines all day for the sake of their children.

"We wouldn't have had Christmas without it," said Angel Smith, a 30-year-old mother from Spring Hill. "Their generosity means everything."

She referred to the JROTC cadets who were frantically working inside to keep the people moving and distributing the maximum amount of toys.

Three toys, one board game, three stuffed animals and three stocking stuffers were available for every child. Parents with three kids or more needed assistance carrying everything to their cars.

There was plenty of help available. More than 200 cadets volunteered Friday and Saturday.

"This year is definitely bigger," said senior Carly Territo, who is the regimental commander. "It's very surprising when you see all these toys and they just disappear."

Prior to 2008, the Marine Corps League Detachment held its toy distribution at the Hernando County Fairgrounds. The success from last year's collection meant the site would remain at Central.

"It's going a lot smoother this year because we've done it before," said Lt. Col. Michael Ralph, who is the senior instructor of the ROTC program at the school. "The kids know what to do."

Smith's husband had to close his water treatment business this year. He is still working to resuscitate it, but she remains a stay-at-home parent. With three children, it would be more difficult for her to work and pay for daycare, she said.

The family welcomes the few breaks they have been getting recently. Saturday's toy collection meant a lot to Smith.

"It's really great seeing these (students) helping all these people," she said. "These are kids doing all of this ... Their hearts are definitely in the right place."

Marie Ouellette was standing in another long line with her friends and other parents. She was employed, but others around her were out of work. The economy has affected all of them.

Pride matters to those who were standing in line, but their kids matter more, they said.

"Someone I work with told me, 'If you need the help, you should go,'" Ouellette said. "It's definitely a big help. It's definitely going to save Christmas for us this year."