TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Home Depot 'Adopts' A Dozen Children

Courtesy of Sylvia McChesney

HOME DEPOT EMPLOYEES, from left, Sylvia McChesney, Brian Donnelly, Mike Griffin as Santa Claus, Vicky Shenefield and Erin Cracchiolo, who are from the Port Richey and New Port Richey stores, took time out recently to give some West Pasco children a Merry Christmas. The gift-giving event was made possible through the efforts of the Safe Children’s Coalition of Pasco County.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Jessica  Bair | The Suncoast News

Published: December 19, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Santa and his helpers took time from their busy schedule to stop at the Home Depot store in New Port Richey recently to deliver presents and smiles to West Pasco children in need.

Home Depot associates and volunteers, who were dressed as Old Saint Nick and elves, partnered with the Safe Children's Coalition of Pasco County for the second year to bring Christmas to 12 "adopted" children, says Sylvia McChesney, a Home Depot team captain.

The coalition is part of Youth and Family Alternatives and provides community-based care through comprehensive case management services to children and their families who are in need of child-abuse and neglect-prevention services or child protection and permanency services, according to its Web site.

The agency handles hundreds of children's requests during the holidays and distributes them to the interested businesses and community members who fulfill their wishes, says McChesney, who works at the New Port Richey home improvement store.

Each child received several gifts from the Home Depot Team during the holiday party, had cookies and drinks, and had photos taken with Santa.

The New Port Richey and Port Richey stores often partner for projects to help nonprofit organizations in the community, McChesney says.

The stores' associates review wish lists posted in the break rooms and select a child to adopt and try to fill their requests, often on their own, with their department or another associate. Some children ask for just a few items while others have a lengthy list, she says.

"We try to respond pretty equally to each child knowing the holidays are a very special time," says McChesney. "We try to make it extra special for the children we adopt."

The associates gave items including five bicycles, a Big Wheel, red wagon, and a Radio Flyer wagon to the kids.

"One mom said to us that her five children never would have had a Christmas if it was not for the Home Depot associates," explained McChesney. "Many of our associates left with tears of joy after seeing the children so happy."

Last year, the Home Depot Team adopted children but did not have an appearance from Santa or a gift-giving celebration.

"That was the best part this year," McChesney noted of the additional holiday festivities.

The group has already started to plan next year's event.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT