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Christmas Came Early

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By LIZ BLEAU, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2007

VALRICO - The Eagles Club was filled with the sounds of whizzing remote-control cars as children raced them around the dance floor and crinkling paper being ripped from packages.

The club's Christmas party for children of low-income families, held Dec. 18, has been a cherished annual tradition for nine years running. This year, 50 kindergartners from Lopez Elementary School in Seffner spent an exciting morning opening gifts handed out by Santa, who brought huge stuffed stockings personalized with each child's name and two bags of toys and clothing for each child.

Jim Boone, who organizes the event each year for the 350-member fraternal and service organization, said the club spends about $150 on each child. School guidance counselor Patty Yovino supplies the names of children who could benefit from Santa's generosity, along with their clothing sizes. The Eagles Club takes it from there.

Each child receives a pair of shoes, a coat or jacket, underwear, pajamas and other clothing and toys. Also included in the gift bags are handmade lap robes, or small blankets.

"It's always fun to see how much the children like the blankets," Boone said. "Even with the boys, they are always a big hit."

Katie Flores wrapped herself in her red-and-orange, hand-crocheted blanket and wore it like a poncho as she ran about the room checking to see what gifts other children received. Later, she sat in a chair watching the other kids play, still swaddled in her blanket.

For the boys, it was all about remote-controlled cars, which they quickly learned to maneuver around the room.
Elizabeth Coleman was most interested in trying on her new white-and-aqua sneakers. For Julia Ruiz, it was the crayons. Even with a bag full of toys and dolls, Julia was fixated on a coloring book and box of 48 crayons. "They're all mine," she said as she clutched the box to her chest.

Boone initiated the first party when the club was planning a Christmas party for members' grandchildren.

"Those were kids who already had a lot of toys and things," Boone said. "I asked why we couldn't do something for kids who didn't have as much, and the next thing I knew I was in charge of the project."

After they opened their gifts, the children had a lunch of pizza, hot dogs and cupcakes.

As Santa was making his exit, many of the children ran up to hug him before he left.

"It's really exciting to see these children each year," Yovino said. "They are overwhelmed and excited, and they love the blankets every year. They are really appreciative for what they get."

PARTY SPONSORS

In addition to the Eagles, several businesses and groups made donations to make the party possible.

They are:

•Pepin Distributing Co.

•Publix Supermarkets

•Wilcox Electrical Services

•AMVETS Post No. 44

•Rodan Fire Sprinklers

•Jim Calhoon Services

•J.J. Taylor Distributors

•Chick-fil-A

•Quality Precast Co.

•Kazbor's Grill and Bar

•Expert Gas Plumbing

Reporter Liz Bleau can be reached at (813) 865-1557 or lbleau@tampatrib.com.

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