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Kids all smiles at Toys for Tots party

At the party, held for migrant children, 17 kids received their first Christmas presents a few weeks ahead of time.

By MICHELLE JONES
Published December 8, 2005

	[Times photo: Dan McDuffie]
	Kaitlyn Lafountain, 5, clutches her new doll at a Toys for Tots Christmas party at the Pasco Veterinary Medical Center in Wesley Chapel Wednesday.

WESLEY CHAPEL - On a gray, overcast day, rays of sunshine broke through at the Pasco Veterinary Medical Center on Wednesday, when 17 children's faces burst into smiles as they received early Christmas presents.

It was the 20th annual Toys for Tots distribution party at the center hosted by clinic owner Dr. Marlene Siegel. This year, her two daughters, Alyssa, 12, and Demi, 9, assisted in the festivities.

The children, ages 3-5, arrived on a bus from the Redlands Christian Migrant Association in the Lake County town of Mascotte.

At first they were a quiet little group. By the end of the nearly two-hour party, after lunch and a dessert of sugary cake and sodas, they were quite vocal.

A tour of the center and a chance to sit on a horse were also a part of the party.

The kids learned about taking X-rays, saw a dog and a snake and observed a few items, such as a rock and tinsel, that had ended up in animals' stomachs.

"All this helps demystify medicine for the children," said Siegel. "It also teaches them about careers."

Gabriel Moreno, 5, said he wanted to be a veterinarian when he grew up.

"I want to take care of little doggies," he said.

The children were taken outside to see the horses and posed for photos on Tim, a brown quarter horse. Three-year-old Alan Morelas was hoisted up by a volunteer, and once seated, didn't want to get off.

"I like horses," he said after finally getting down.

Bob Loring, Pasco County's coordinator for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Project, came with active-duty Marines Erik Cone, Jose Perez and Omar Abadie to help with the party.

"It is nice to be here and give something back to our country," said Cone, who served two tours in Iraq and helped in the New Orleans hurricane relief effort.

Helping the children with their lunches and handing out the gifts gave the Marines an opportunity to mingle.

Kaitlyn Lafountain, 5, was in awe of the white talking bird in a cage in the clinic's lab, but sitting on the horse was extra special, she said.

Siegel showed the children an X-ray of a large snake and pointed out its insides.

The children also got to feel the heavy gloves that X-ray technicians use.

Siegel said she loves to inspire the little children and instill compassion for animals.

"Then they have compassion for people," she said.

After lunch, Loring had the children get ready for what he referred to as the magic moment.

"Now don't open the presents until my elves get them all handed out," he said as the Marines handed out the gifts, one to each child.

With a grin almost as wide as his face, Pablo Vasquez, 3, proudly showed off his toy truck to everyone within his small reach.

"Feliz Navidad and gracias (Merry Christmas and thanks)," the children responded to their benefactors.

[Last modified December 8, 2005, 00:50:19]