The 250-member Crystal Beach Community Church gives 51 bikes to the Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots.
By JANE MADDEN WELCH
Published December 2, 2003
Marine Corps League Toys for Tots volunteer Ted Wessel, of Seminole, looks over the 51 bicycles lined up in front of Crystal Beach Community Church. "We do this year after year because it can really make a difference," Wessel said of the Marine Corps League's gift program.
[Times photo: Douglas R. Clifford]
CRYSTAL BEACH - In the past, the Crystal Beach Community Church has taken on missions that ranged from providing sandwiches and food for the hungry to sponsoring a child in Africa for a year.
This year, church members decided they wanted try something ambitious for the holidays. They ended up with a line of shiny new bicycles outside the sanctuary.
"I think of us as the little church with a big heart," Pastor James Bradley said, looking at the 51 bikes in front of church Sunday morning.
The congregation of 250 members raised $2,600 for its December mission project, which was to give bicycles to Pinellas County's underprivileged children who otherwise might not receive Christmas gifts.
"Our mission project was definitely a success," said Charles Ryburn, president of the church council.
"We set our goal high for 50 bikes and actually surpassed it," he said.
In addition to the 51 bicycles, extra funds collected are being donated for helmets.
With the help of former Marine Jim Scott, Ryburn contacted the Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots program to arrange for pickup of the bikes Sunday.
Tony Mazzone, commandant of the Clearwater chapter of the Marine Corps League, was on hand to oversee the bikes being loaded onto trucks.
"Last year we had over 30,000 new toys to distribute," he said. "It was an amazing sight."
Volunteer Ted Wessel has 48 years with the Marine Corps League.
"We do this year after year because it can really make a difference," he said.
Recipients are screened by the Salvation Army. Last year, more than 5,000 families received Christmas gifts in North Pinellas.
"Large donations like this are really appreciated," Wessel said, as the last bicycle was loaded onto a truck. "One year a woman told me it if wasn't for us, her kids wouldn't have Christmas at all."
To help
To donate to the Clearwater chapter of the Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots program, write to P.O. Box 7648, Clearwater, FL 33758, watch for dropoff boxes with the Toys for Tots logo around the county or leave a toy to donate by the mailbox on Saturday for mail carriers to pick up.
Marine Corps League Toys for Tots volunteer Ted Wessel, of Seminole, looks over the 51 bicycles lined up in front of Crystal Beach Community Church. "We do this year after year because it can really make a difference," Wessel said of the Marine Corps League's gift program.