Temple Terrace First Responders Helping Kids This Holiday Season

TEMPLE TERRACE, FL – While police and fire departments across the country help on a daily basis with our worst emergencies, they’re also known for helping children in need during the holiday season.

The Temple Terrace Police and Fire departments are no different. During the holiday season, the two departments have three events going on throughout the holiday season to make sure children in the area have their share of cheer to go around.

Both department are inviting residents to join them in raising money and collecting toys during the following events:

Toy Drive

The City of Temple Terrace is collecting toys through Friday, Dec. 9 for children up to age 18. Donation boxes for new and unwrapped toys are at the following locations:

• Temple Terrace City Hall Customer Service – 11250 N. 56th St., first floor
• Temple Terrace Police Department – 11250 N. 56th St., third floor
• Omar K. Lightfoot Recreation Center – 10901 N. 56th St.

The toys will be distributed to children on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Potter’s House Community Development site, 6916 Harney Road in Tampa. For more information, call (813) 914-7438.

Sincerely Santa

The Temple Terrace Fire Department will help distribute toys through the Sincerely, Santa program.

Each year, children in Hillsborough County schools write “A Letter to Santa” describing toys they would like for Christmas. Teachers and social workers then identify underprivileged children, and forward their letters to Sincerely, Santa for processing.

Donations from the public support the program, and a booth at Westfield Brandon Town Center allows shoppers to purchase a gift and drop it off immediately for the program. Shopper can pick up a child’s letter at the booth and shop for those particular gifts.

For more information, call (813) 841-4611.

Beards for Bucks

Temple Terrace police officers are growing beards to raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Temple Terrace and Special Olympics Florida. Officers who grow beards donate $30 a month toward the cause, and solicit additional donations from the public.

The Police Department began the fundraising drive on Nov. 1 and it hopes to raise $4,000 by the end of February. For more information, call (813) 506-6500.

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