• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

Operation Unwrap a Smile delivers hope

May 19, 2010 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Sarah Whitman

Herb and Stephanie Roshell believe every child deserves the best things life has to offer, the most important thing being love.
In 2006, the Land O’ Lakes couple founded Operation Unwrap a Smile to deliver hope and help to at-risk youth. They deliver wrapped gifts to youth shelters throughout Florida and act as mentors to the children they meet.
“We want the children who feel they’ve been forgotten to know they are worth the very best,” Stephanie said. “We bring them a gift to let them know they are special and when they open it, they smile. It’s like we’re giving them the world.”
The Roshells are partnered with Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches, serving shelters in Bartow, Bradenton, Safety Harbor and Live Oak. They also serve Sonrise in Zephyrhills, G.A.T.E.S runaway shelter for girls in Tampa, The Children’s Home and other facilities. Together, the shelters support 284 children.

Herb and Stephanie Roshell delivered Christmas gifts to girls at a teen shelter as part of Operation Unwrap a Smile. (Photo courtesy of Herb Roshell)

The Roshells receive hundreds of donations a year from businesses and individuals to provide gifts to the children.
“So many children just need someone to say ‘ You can make it. You are Loved,’ “ Stephanie said.
Scott Halbach, program director for the youth ranch in Safety Harbor, said the Roshell’s visits make a huge impact.
“They are dedicated and they’ve been really good with our kids,” Halbach said. “The kids enjoy their visits.”
Stephanie, a former daycare teacher, and Herb, a plant manager at West Zephyrhills Elementary, met and were married in 2005. They both have children from other marriages and a daughter, 18-month old Hannah, together. They were inspired by their own children to help others.
Herb said he also wants to give back because it wasn’t too long ago he was in trouble.
“I was in the 11th grade and I was completely illiterate,” he said. “One teacher reached out to me and helped me. She taught me to read and showed me I could be successful. Now, when I meet kids in that situation, I can help them.”
Herb is also a pastor. He leads Inspirational Praise and Worship, 1110 East Busch Blvd. in Tampa. The church is currently separate from Operation Unwrap a Smile but the Rochells hope to bridge the gap.
“Our long term goal is to open a youth shelter as an outreach ministry of the church,” he said. “Before that, we’d like to open a space where we can have an office and store all of our donations.”
Stephanie’s co-workers at J.P. Morgan Chase recently donated a gift basket of brand new toiletries.
“It’s amazing how giving people are when they hear about what we are doing,” she said.
The Roshells are always in need of donations to give as gifts. Everything from clothing and backpacks, to games and toys are needed.
The Roshells collect new items for children of all ages, but do not accept used items.
“We don’t just want to give a girl a bottle of perfume, we want to give her nice perfume,” Stephanie said. “When a child feels like they have nothing, we want to give them something tangible that will make them say, ‘Wow. This is mine.’“
Herb said the gifts are a way of starting up conversations with the kids.
“The key to helping these kids is getting them to open up,” he said. “I remember when I was a teen and I felt like I was all alone. I was quiet and shut down. When you feel that way, it can feel like a prison. Then, somebody reaches out to help and it changes. When you open up to somebody, it’s like you can finally leave that jail cell, walk out and take a deep breath. When somebody shows they care, it gives you hope.”
For information on Operation Unwrap a Smile, how to donate and volunteer opportunities, visit www.operationunwrapasmile.com.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

September 5, 2023 By Mary Rathman

Tampa Bay welcomes WAVE Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art spinal care clinic founded by Dr. Ryan LaChance. WAVE … [Read More...] about WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

August 29, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Time is running out on your chance to live at Del Webb Bexley. We’ve built the ideal active adult community to suit your … [Read More...] about Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

09/28/2023 – Lectures on the Lawn

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host its series “Lectures on the Lawn” starting with Craig Pittman, author of “Oh Florida” on Sept. 28. There will be food trucks and exhibits from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Pittman’s presentation at 6:30 p.m. Guests can bring their own chairs. No outside food or drinks. Admission is free. For information, call 727-815-7126, or visit PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 09/28/2023 – Lectures on the Lawn

09/29/2023 – Teacup Fairy Garden

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., will host a thrifty craft project for adults on Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m. Participants can make a teacup fairy garden. Registration is required. Call 813-780-0064 for more information. … [Read More...] about 09/29/2023 – Teacup Fairy Garden

09/29/2023 – Worship Concert

The Cathedral of Worship and Praise Center will present “The Wonder of Worship Concert” on Sept. 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, 8550 Hunters Village Road. Admission is free. For information, call 813-943-9773, or visit TheCathedralOfWP.com. … [Read More...] about 09/29/2023 – Worship Concert

09/30/2023 – Great Discoveries

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host Charles Zidar, executive director of MAPS, for a lunch adventure, on Sept. 30 at noon. Participants can hear a talk on ancient Greek and Roman cultures, while museum artifacts are brought to your table as you eat. There will be a second session on Oct. 7 at noon to discuss ancient Mayan culture. Tickets are $28 plus taxes and fees, which includes lunch and the presentation. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/45yx47C. … [Read More...] about 09/30/2023 – Great Discoveries

10/03/2023 – Drawing Workshop

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Drawing Workshop: Exquisite Corpse, on Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as part of its Museum + Art Series. Participants can learn about the exquisite corpse drawing method and create a drawing inspired by surrealist artists. Registration is required; call 727-815-7126. To learn more, visit MOMA.org/collection/terms/exquisite-corpse. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Drawing Workshop

10/03/2023 – Halloween Games/Crafts

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host Teen Halloween Games and Crafts on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 13 to 17. Supplies will be provided. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Halloween Games/Crafts

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: