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Toys for Tots up and running

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: November 25, 2009

BRANDON - More than half a dozen drop-off locations for Toys for Tots are scattered throughout the Brandon and South Shore areas.

Donors have until Dec.16 to drop off their donated new, unwrapped toys, which will go to needy children throughout the Tampa Bay area.

This year, with the added participation of the NAPA Auto Centers and numerous members of the NAPA Business Development Group, some donors will get a gift in exchange - a free oil change.

The development group, using money from its dues, is offering the oil change in exchange for a $20 toy.

Toys for Tots was started by a Marine major in 1947 in Los Angeles. The program was so successful that it was expanded nationwide the following year. To date, the Marines' effort has resulted in the collection of more than 402 million toys.

Just in Hillsborough County, there are dozens of drop-off locations and 22 sites designated for distribution, said Staff Sgt. Sadi Workman, the Marine who is heading the effort here.

"If people go to our Web site, they can find out where all the drop-off and distribution sites are and how to sign up to become a recipient and what they need to bring," Workman said.

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS FOR TOYS

•Brandon Tire and Auto Service, 2514 State Road 60, Valrico

•Olin Mott Tire, 528 W. State Road 60, Valrico

•Florida Self Storage, 2107 E. College Ave., Ruskin

•Champion 4 Ruskin College, 2809 E. College Ave., Ruskin

•Extra Space Center, Mini, 105 S. Falkenburg Road, Tampa

•Extra Space Center Falkenburg, 601 S. Falkenburg Road, Tampa

•Lauer Auto Service Center, 14108 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dover

•NAPA Auto Parts Stores, throughout Hillsborough County

For all other locations, go to www.tampa-fl.toysfortots

.org, then click on "toy drop-offs" at the top of the page and enter Hillsborough County.

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