Toys for Tots drop-off sites

The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

The Florida Highway Patrol will be teaming with the U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program by providing toy drop off locations at every Florida Highway Patrol Station in Troop C.

Those Tampa Bay Area drop off locations are:

•Tampa - 11305 North McKinley Drive Tampa, Florida 33612

•Brooksville - 11319 Ponce Deleon Blvd Brooksville, Florida 34601

•Lakeland - 3247 Lakeland Hills Blvd Lakeland, Florida 33806

• Land O' Lakes - 16026 State Road 52 Land O' Lakes, Florida 34638

•Pinellas - 7651 US 19 North Pinellas, Florida 33781

The U.S. Marine Corps would like to invite everyone to participate in the 2009 Toys for Tots Season. Visit www.tampa-fl.toysfortots.org for information on sign up procedures.

For more information, call 813-267-8270 or e-mail sadi.workman@usmc.mil.

Hernando County locations

The program collection bins are now set up at various locations around the county where donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off.

Spring Hill locations

Accuform Signs, Accurate Automotive, Atria Evergreen Woods, BB&T Banks, Best Buy, Bridgewater and Nantucket Apartments, Changes Adult Fitness Center, and Compass Banks. Complete Technology Solutions, County Line Cafe, Discovery Point Daycare, Dr Tim Terlep, Dunkin Donuts, Dr. Drew D. Kycynka, Extreme Bicycles, Evolution Hair Design, Fantastic Pre-School & Daycare, Fun Fitness Factory, Gold's Gym, Hernando County Utilities, Hernando Corrections Institution, Hernando County Veterans Services, Kash & Karry Supermarket, Mirage Hair Studio, Hair Affair, Jiffy Lube, Longshotz Sports Pub, Mariner Bowling Lanes, New-U-Weight Loss Center, Northcliffe & County Line Hess Station, Pisano's, Pickled Parrot, Pinch A Penny (Kass Circle),Post Office (Kass Circle Location), Printing Plus, Rizzo's Pizza, Silverthorn Club House, Spring Hill Fire and Rescue - all stations, Spring Hill Lanes, Springstead High School, Sterling House, State Farm Insurance, Sweet Bay Supermarkets, The UPS Stores, United Printing Services.

Brooksville locations

Aaron's Sales & Lease, AVA Hot Spot, Dunkin Donuts, Central High School NJROTC, Cox Lumber, High Point Golf Club, Marine Corps League 708, Pine Grove Elementary School, Physical Therapy Services, Quiznos Subs, Register Chevrolet, West Hernando Middle School, and Caglianone, Miller, Anthony Attorneys at Law. Suncoast Schools Credit Union, Texas Road House, Tree Care by Robert Miller, Shoe Carnival, USMC Recruiting, Wells Fargo Financial.

Other Hernando County locations

Beall's Outlet Stores, Big Lots, Family Dollar Stores, Dollar General Stores, Hernando County Utilities, Hernando County Tax offices, Publix Super Markets. R. Tate's Auto body, Regions Banks, Suncoast Schools Credit Union, Walgreens, Winn-Dixie Stores, VFW Post 9236 Hernando Beach.