PLANT CITY DEPARTMENTS GIVE GIFTS TO CHILDREN WITHOUT.
On Saturday Plant City Fire Rescue and the Plant City Police Department held their first toy drive at the Plant City Stadium. Dozens of firemen, officers, and city employees were on hand to give toys to hundreds of families, and engage with children and adults. “There are some people who are in need of help,” Kiana Smith, who works for Parks and Recreation, said. “Recreation is all giving back, giving to those in need, and providing a good environment for people to be in—especially the kids.”
Kids could also play cornhole, barrel ball, climb into a fire engine, or an armored SWAT truck, and learn more about PCPD and Fire Rescue equipment. “I think it is really good for the underprivileged families, and that we are able to give in a different way than we usually do,” Fire Rescue Captain Nathan Powell said.
“I am very thankful this event is here because it is a really hard time for the families, and I know how much people are struggling with the economy right now,” Leslie Martinez said. “This really, really helps a bunch of us, so thank you very much.”
The toys came from several sources including First Responders Children’s Foundation and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.
“I think it is a wonderful opportunity for people to give back to the community, and help those that aren’t able to get gifts,” parent Amber Teague commented. “Nobody knows what the situation is in people’s lives—this seems to be a good, easy, helpful way for families to not feel judged that they can’t provide for their families for Christmas.”
“First of all, I want to give a great shout out to our police department and our fire department for putting this together,” City Commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis said. “This is the reason for the season. It’s about giving, not always taking. I am so grateful to be a part of this event, to see the smiles on the kids’ faces, and to see that they are getting something that they can put under their tree.”
In a separate initiative, the four PCPD Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) officers, and the Plant City Parks & Recreation Department identified 50 kids that lost virtually everything in flooding. Two local, youth-oriented, non-profits came alongside these City employees to help. Plant City Champions for Youth, Inc. (PCCFY), and Friends of Recreation & Parks Corporation (FORP) partnered together to purchase $2,500 worth of toys for these families to help brighten their Christmas. More than 350 items were divided up and bagged for each child.
Money raised from the PCCFY Golf Classic in October, and Christmas tree sales in December funded the purchases. Using these funds, FORP bought the gifts, and the CRA officers distributed them.
“Whenever there is a need in Plant City, our community steps up to make things happen,” Jack Holland, a board member with both organizations commented. “It broke our hearts to think these families would not be able to have a joyful Christmas due to their losses from the flooding, and this was one way we could help make it a better holiday for them. The CRA officers, Parks & Rec staff, and Plant City Walmart associates were outstanding in helping make this activity possible.”
