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A Few Children Still Awaiting Help From 'Santa'

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 15, 2007

Updated: 12/13/2007 05:46 pm

BRANDON - Members of the MiraBay Girls, a group of friends from the MiraBay community in Apollo Beach - Lynn Spivey, Lynn Mooney and Sandy Tams - helped Santa at the Sincerely, Santa table at the new entrance to the Westfield Brandon mall on St. Nicholas Day, on Dec. 6.

The Sincerely, Santa initiative invites shoppers at the mall to buy gifts for children in need or make donations for other needs.

"Our books are pretty thin," Mooney said, referring to the snowy-white, three-ring binders that hold the letters Hillsborough County children wrote to Santa this year.

Most of the children have been "adopted" by shoppers willing to fulfill at least some of their wants and needs identified by their teachers. Sunday is the deadline for returning gifts for the children to the table at the mall.

"It's a lot of fun to go shopping for them," Spivey said. "I don't have young children to shop for anymore."

A young couple walked by and put money in a box by the table.

"Money that is donated is used to buy gifts for the children's older siblings, or for children not chosen by shoppers," Tams said.

Cash donations also are used for other necessities, such as bicycle helmets to accompany donated bicycles.

"I delivered gifts in 1997," said Diane Miller, president of Sincerely, Santa, "and then was on the board of directors. Once you see how these kids live, you can't stop. I've been president for five or six years."

There can be surprises.

"One time, we went to a house in Plant City - there was no front door on the house," Miller said. "The next day, we came back with a door and put it on for them."

One year, Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy Benny Boswell was trying to deliver a large white bag full of presents to another home in Plant City, but he was chased by a turkey.

"I guess it didn't like the white bag," Miller said.

Some requests surprise volunteers.

"Kids ask for odd things," she said. "One girl asked for an umbrella. When we looked into her request, we learned that when it rained, the roof leaked and she got wet inside her house.

"Kids ask for new shoes, or sheets for their beds. One wrote, 'Anything you want, Santa,' and some letters include notes from teachers, such as 'He's always late. Buy him an alarm clock.'"

The organization is run entirely by volunteers. The mall donates space, capital partners give sorting space, and agencies such as police departments, the sheriff's office and firefighters provide vehicles, gas and manpower for deliveries.

Monetary donations go straight to the bank, said Debra Hoffman, treasurer of Sincerely, Santa. She said 99.9 percent goes to the kids - "except every few years we replace binders, and we buy paper to copy the kids' letters."

Undeliverable gifts will be donated to Joshua House, a temporary shelter for children ages 4 to 12.

For information, call Miller at (813) 417-1226 or Hoffman at (813) 985-1322. Checks can be made out to Sincerely, Santa and mailed to Sincerely, Santa, 5802-A Fowler Ave., Tampa FL 33617.

Anglican Priest Called To New Congregation

RIVERVIEW - The Rev. Christopher Gardner of St. Matthew's Anglican Church, 10701 Bloomingdale Ave., began serving as curate at the Anglican Church of the Redeemer in Hilton Head, S.C., on Dec. 1. He was honored at St. Matthew's year-end parish meeting.

"Sorry to say, we have no replacement for Father Chris," said Jim Spohn, spokesman for St. Matthew's. "Father Chris is our first parishioner to enter the religious life, and now he is needed in another new parish. ... He will be replacing a priest who will be retiring next year.

For Gardner's new address or information about St. Matthew's Anglican Church, contact the church office at (813) 663-0334.

Colonial Christmas Topic at Luncheon

TAMPA - The Edmund Sheffield Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century will meet and share a Christmas buffet lunch at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, 1601 S. MacDill Ave.

Gail Crosby, second vice president, will present the program "Customs and Traditions of Colonial Christmas."

For information about the luncheon, call Ann Dunlap at (813) 839-2337. For information about Colonial Dames XVII Century, visit www .colonialdames17c.org.

Elk Of The Month Works With Kids

BRANDON - The Brandon Elks Lodge named Don Schreck as Elk of the Month for November, Exalted Ruler Larry Henbest said in a recent issue of "The Bugle," the lodge newsletter.

"As Elks, we are charged with making a difference in a child's life," he said. "We do this by supporting activities within our lodge to benefit the youth of our community ... and to encourage them to develop the character which will lead this country tomorrow. ... This month's Elk of the Month stepped forward to be the coordinator of the monthly Youth Activities breakfast, as well as serving a Friday night dinner on a quarterly basis."

The Brandon Ladies of the Elks chose Carol Weatherington as the Lady of Distinction for November for the many ways she serves, from cooking to managing the group's money market account. Weatherington was surprised at the news.

"The Bugle" printed her response: "Thank you so much for honoring me for something I love doing - working for the lodge that my husband and I love and have enjoyed for many years."

The Elks' November Student of the Month and winner of a U.S. Savings Bond is Susan Y. Upton of Newsome High School. She is a four-year Student Council member, secretary of the National Honor Society and a member of the Beta Club, Rho Kappa, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Future Career and Community Leaders of America.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampa bay.rr.com or call (813) 657-4531.

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