 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
The charity of strippers embarrasses church
By ERNEST HOOPER, Times Columnist TAMPA -- Every year the Without Walls International Church holds a toy drive for needy children, and this year the church was thrilled Bubba The Love Sponge Clem promised "a truckful" of toys. Thrilled, that is, until discovering Friday the toys had been gathered by strippers at the Deja Vu nude club who agreed to flash their breasts in return for a toy donation. "We certainly don't stand for that at all," church spokeswoman Jennifer Mallan said. "We wouldn't condone anything that has to do with something offensive ... something that degrades women." The WXTB-FM 97.9 (98 Rock) disc jockey had urged listeners to join his toy drive and go to the strip club in Brandon on Friday morning. For nearly five hours, a steady stream of cars delivered more than 1,000 toys, including bicycles and Barbie cars, as strippers flashed customers in the parking lot. Mallan said the church did not know that is how the toys were being gathered until told by a reporter Friday night. She said it was her understanding that Clem was buying the toys. Clem could not be reached for comment. She said she will meet with church officials about whether to accept the toys, which are supposed to be delivered today in time for a Christmas charity event at 2 p.m. More than 1,000 parents have registered to get toys for their children. Mallan said donations have been down across the county this year, and charitable organizations have referred needy families to Without Walls. Consequently, the need for toys is even greater than the usual charity effort the church holds for the 10 public housing projects it ministers. "A lot of the parents who register, if they have $50 they are going to use it to buy shoes instead of toys," Mallan explained. "So we give the toys to parents so they can have some dignity and wrap them up." Christi Marrero, the marketing director for Deja Vu, said the dancers understand the need and were glad to help out. Mallan said Clem helped the church in November by getting listeners to donate more than 1,000 turkeys.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
|
