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Atomic Tattoos Hosts Toys For Tats Drive

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By LAURA FRAZIER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 22, 2007

BRANDON - In mid-December, a man walked a shiny new boys' bicycle into Atomic Tattoos on Kings Avenue and walked out an hour or two later with the Wrangler Jeans logo permanently inked on his bicep.

Tattoo artist James Langner didn't ask the man why he wanted to be branded with the bluejean maker's emblem, but he did have another question for his customer.

"I wondered why he spent $200 on a toy donation that only got him a $25 discount on his tattoo," Langner said. "He told me he didn't have a lot while he was growing up, so every year he donates toys and other things to charity."

Through Monday, the tattoo studio is holding its annual holiday drive, "Toys For Tats." Customers who donate a new, unwrapped toy worth at least $5 receive a $25 coupon for tattoos or body piercings. The discount is valid through Feb. 28.

The Brandon shop is one of nine Atomic Tattoos studios in Hillsborough County owned by Steve Cannon and Clay Montgomery, Langer said. The chain donated more than 5,000 toys last year to the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.
Body piercer Brandy Moore said the Brandon store consistently collects dozens more toys than other shops.

Organizing a pile of toys in the corner of the store Tuesday, Moore said, "We really push it. If someone comes in to get a tattoo and they didn't bring a toy, we send them around the corner to CVS to buy something inexpensive. That way they can get the discount and also do a good thing."

Many givers, Moore said, don't even ask about the discount.

"A lot of them just walk in, say hello, drop a toy in the pile and walk out. It's awesome."

Toys for Tots volunteers planned to pick up the bulk of the toys at the store on its cutoff date, which was Friday. But Langer said Atomic Tattoos staff will accept donations until the store closes at 4 p.m. Monday. They will deliver toys collected between Friday and Monday to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa on Christmas Eve.

"The hospital, they'll take toys right up until Christmas Day," Langer said.

TOYS FOR TATS

WHERE: Atomic Tattoos, 210 S. Kings Ave., Brandon

WHAT: $25 discount coupons for tattoos or body piercings, valid through Feb. 28, in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy worth $5 or more

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The shop will close at 4 p.m. Monday and remain closed Tuesday for Christmas.

INFO: (813) 654-9990 or www.atomictattoos.com

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.

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