With only 10 days left until Christmas, some Tampa Bay area charities are scrambling to meet the needs of more people asking for help in a struggling economy. And donations aren't keeping pace. ...more

December 16, 2009

The Academy of the Holy Names celebrated its annual Community Service Day on Nov. 18. There were 498 pupils who committed their time to benefit those less fortunate in 16 locations throughout the Tampa Bay area. ...more

December 16, 2009

Argosy University staff members arrived recently at University Mall with a truckload of children's gifts. ...more

December 16, 2009

Just like the once-thriving citrus industry, the annual Tangerine Time New Year's Eve celebration could be a thing of the past as organizers announce they are canceling the event. ...more

December 13, 2009

Argosy University staff members arrived recently at University Mall with a truckload of children's gifts. Bicycles, games, shoes and socks were quickly unloaded, and 72 names were marked off a list of more than 6,500 children whose families have asked for assistance with gifts this year. Priscilla Charite of The Salvation Army's Angel Tree Project is thrilled, hugging the delivery group of school staff members. "Where other people are cutting back, your group bumped it up," Charite told them. ...more

December 12, 2009

The need is greater than ever, Salvation Army officials say as they plead for last-minute donations to fill holiday food boxes and to place toys under the Christmas tree for needy children. ...more

December 12, 2009

The Holiday Recreation Complex is hosting a youth volleyball league for boys and girls age 10-15. Parents must bring proof of age during registration, which ends Jan. 14. Space is limited and the league costs $25 per participant. ...more

December 12, 2009

Gary and Shirley will be providing the music for dancing at the Saturday Night Dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m. on Dec. 12. ...more

December 9, 2009

It seems like such a simple gift, handed out in memory of a husband who struggled and died another Christmas, three years ago. ...more

December 9, 2009

Christmas shopping is not fun anymore. I used to love it. We'd make our lists and at 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. or some other decent hour (not 4 a.m.) we'd get bundled up in coats and boots and mittens, drive downtown (no, not to the mall), and walk from store to store along snow-covered sidewalks. We'd buy gifts until we couldn't possibly carry any more, then we'd meet back at the car to stow them in the trunk and head out to buy some more. ...more

November 29, 2009