By WAVENEY ANN MOORE, Times Staff Writer
Published December 4, 2005
Leadership Tampa Bay has launched a project to collect toys for Mississippi children affected by Hurricane Katrina,
The organization has designated Monday "Bring a Toy to Work Day." Seven collection points will be set up in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
The drive is being conducted in conjunction with Leadership Gulf Coast in Mississippi, whose members and the local Boys and Girls Club will distribute the toys.
Charlie Reese, a volunteer for Leadership Tampa Bay, said the nonprofit organization has never undertaken a charitable effort this large.
He said Kathy Springer, their contact with the Mississippi leadership group, said it is getting cold and many people are still sleeping in tents. "She's so delighted that we're doing this. She said that no one is available up there to sell toys," Reese said.
The drive is going well, he said. "I've heard back from a number of people who say their whole office is bringing toys," Reese said.
He added that he has heard reports that more than 35,000 families are still in temporary shelters.
"So there's a need. We have an opportunity to make some children's end of 2005 much more pleasant than the earlier part of their year," he said.
