TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

West Pasco Charities Seeking Assistance

ADVERTISEMENT

SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF

Published: November 28, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Despite a shaky economy, area charities hope West Pasco residents will come through with aid during the holidays.

"They're counting on our help," Jeanne Coulter, Salvation Army Center of Hope manager, said about the needy. "They have no place else to turn."

Volunteer Way continues its food drives.

Many gift ideas from nonprofit agencies can spread glad tidings of good cheer as well, from cookbooks to memorial trees.

Salvation Army

More than 300 people and families are registered for the Salvation Army annual Christmas Assistance Program. Contributors can participate through a Fill a Stocking or Holiday Food Box projects.

Pick up the stockings or boxes to be filled at the Center of Hope at 8040 Washington St., Port Richey, weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More than 450 needy children hope for benefactors at the Angel Tree at the Gulf View Square mall. Donors choose the name of a child listed on tree ornaments and then shop to fulfill the child's wish list. The ornament lists the first name of the child, age and other pertinent information.

Distribution of all gifts and food boxes will be on Friday, Dec. 21.

Call Coulter at 727-847-6321, ext. 17.

Tree of Life

Trees of Life will light up Pasco County with memorials to loved ones.

The annual holiday-season event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Hernando-Pasco Hospice, according to Jane Freeman, community relations coordinator for the end-of-life-care agency.

The 13-year tradition allows individuals to place or have an ornament hung on one of the trees with a tag bearing the name of the person in whose name it is given.

The 2007 ornaments range from a red velvet bow for a contribution of less than $25 to a shining star for a donation of $1,000 or more.

Tree locations include:

• Two trees in the center court Gulf View Square shopping mall, 9409 U.S. 19, Port Richey.

• West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, 5443 Main St., New Port Richey.

• Two trees at the HPH Marliere Hospice Care Center, 6801 Rowan Road, New Port Richey.

The trees at Gulf View Square were put up Nov. 23, and the others will be up today, Wednesday, Nov. 28.

One can make a Tree of Life donation by calling the Hospice, toll free, at 1-800-486-8784 or, log onto the agency's Web site at www.hphospice.org and download a Tree of Life donation form.

Youth & Family Alternatives

Our lives intersect with so many other lives. Just ask George Bailey from "It's a Wonderful Life." Help spread the joy through the Youth and Family Alternatives extended family, executives at the agency say.

Safe Children Coalition of Pasco County would appreciate new toys, baby care items, or educational materials for children ages 0 to 6. Monetary gifts are a big help, too.

Family Intervention Team has facilities in New Port Richey and Dade City to provide counseling and family intervention to families trying to cope.

RAP House, which provides respite services for teens, needs clothing and toiletries to give to clients. Books and CD albums for teens are also encouraged. We invite you to participate in this holiday's gift-giving events.

All gifts and donations may be delivered or directed to Youth and Family Alternatives Administrative Offices, 7524 Plathe Road, New Port Richey, FL 34653.

Secure financial support can be made online at the Youth and Family Alternatives Web site.

Community agencies and churches can start group projects by telephoning Jim Simms at 727-835-4166 or via e-mail.

Tree of Remembrance

Gulfside Regional Hospice's "Tree of Remembrance" offers a way to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones while aiding people with terminal illnesses.

Trees will be placed in various locations throughout Pasco County between Nov. 23 and Dec. 24, including Patriot Bank on Decubellis Road. When an ornament is purchased, Gulfside will place that ornament on the tree of choice along with the name of a loved one on a special tag attached to the ornament.

Ornaments come in the form of bears, round doves, bows, hearts and more and range from $15 and up.

Call 727-845-5707 or go online to the Gulfside Regional HospiceWeb site for information.

Extension service cookbook

Wondering what unique gift to give that family member or friend who seems to have everything?

Look no further, Pasco extension service agents say.

The Simply Florida cookbook is available from the Florida Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

The coffee-table tome in a 192-page, hard-cover edition features 214 kitchen-tested recipes.

Each comes complete with nutritional analysis, food safety tips and handy substitutions.

Copies are available at the Pasco County Extension office in New Port Richey for $20. Online orders cost $25 at Simply FloridaWeb site. Add $5 to be shipped directly with a personal gift tag with your name on it.

Proceeds from this cookbook will help fund the Mary Harrison Professorship and promote professional development opportunities for FCS agents across Florida.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT