The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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U.S. Postal Service

Toys for Tots delivers holiday cheer

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When a doctor told a mother that her son suffering from a muscular diseases needed a bicycle to keep his muscles moving, she turned to the Toys for Tots for help.

She couldn’t afford a bicycle, so she went to the organization’s toy distribution event a couple of years ago.

“When she got there, she was about the third to the last parent there, and we had one bike left. We handed that bike to her, and she crumbled right there in front of us,” recalled Herb Roshell, captain of the Toys for Tots efforts in Land O’ Lakes and part of Lutz.

“It’s those kinds of experiences that keep us empowered to do this,” he said.

The United States Marine Corps Reserve has been doing this for more than 65 years, creating a national program that distributes toys to needy children during the holidays.

In Roshell’s area alone, the program has distributed to more than 500 children from nearly 400 families last year.

Each child gets two to three toys, plus games for the family and stocking stuffers.

Toys are laid out so parents and guardians can go ‘shopping’ and choose the right toys for their children. They depend on drop-off boxes at local businesses and the Dec. 5 postal service pickup for the bulk of donations. (Photo courtesy of Bob Loring)
Toys are laid out so parents and guardians can go ‘shopping’ and choose the right toys for their children. They depend on drop-off boxes at local businesses and the Dec. 5 postal service pickup for the bulk of donations.
(Photo courtesy of Bob Loring)

To keep up with this year’s demand, the program is back with its familiar toy drop-off boxes in various businesses in the community.

Roshell estimates that around 100 locations will sign up for the boxes, and collect new, unwrapped toys for children of various ages.

The U.S. Postal Service also will collect toys that residents leave out by their mailboxes on Dec. 5.

Toys will be distributed Dec. 19 at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., beginning at 8 a.m.

Those toys might not seem like much in the big picture, but to a mother struggling to provide for her family or a child who sees their peers with gifts, it means a lot.

“If we didn’t have it, it would really hurt our community a lot,” Roshell said.

His wife, Stephanie, knows that firsthand. As a young single mother, she used Toys for Tots when she moved and found out her job had been eliminated. She now spends her time helping those in need, and recognizes the empowerment of simple kindnesses.

“I was homeless as a teenager and vowed that if I ever came out of my poverty state that I would never, ever forget about the children and the youth that are struggling,” Stephanie said. “I’ve stood in their shoes before, and I know personally how it made me feel, so I want them to feel that same sense of gratification that I felt.”

Parents or guardians who utilize Toys for Tots feel like they’re shopping when the toys are selected.

At the distribution center Dec. 19, they get assistance from “deputized elves” to help pick out just the right gift for their children. The “elves” are volunteers who meet with regional coordinator Bob Loring, and pledge to offer support and encouragement at the event to help parents choose gifts.

Just being able to provide some holiday cheer for their family boosts family bonds, according to the Roshells.

“It bridges that gap in the family, so the child is looking to that parent as still being that hero,” Stephanie said.

For those parents to remain heroes, the Roshells and many others in the Toys for Tots program work hard to make each year a success.

In the Land O’ Lakes area they expect to collect 1,700 to 2,000 items for distribution. And, unless there’s a large need elsewhere or they have a surplus, the toys donated within the community, stay here.

While individuals and businesses are generous with donations, there are specific needs each year that pose a challenge.

Children between 8 and 12, especially boys, usually receive the least donations, Herb Roshell said.

Boys that age like handheld games and girls enjoy makeup kits, and Toys for Tots wants to make sure there are enough to go around.

The postal service pickup is an important method of toy collection, but response has dropped off in recent years.

The postal service doesn’t cover the organization’s postage anymore, so it’s up to them to get the word out about the Dec. 5 collection date.

Helping those in need makes Dec. 19 a special day for families who wouldn’t otherwise have presents for their children.

And, it’s pretty special for the Toys for Tots family, too, since they get to see their efforts pay off with a bounty of gifts going to local homes, making families’ holidays a little brighter.

For people like Stephanie Roshell, who has been on both sides, it’s an important part of the holiday season.

For information about the Toys for Tots program, and to find out how to apply for assistance, contact the Roshells at or call (813) 713-5197.

Published November 25, 2015

It’s crunch time for annual holiday toy drive

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Bob Loring isn’t Santa Claus. Yet he has some 250 elves at his disposal, and he seems pretty jolly about his job.

“I’m the head elf,” Loring said. “It’s a thrill. Personally it’s so rewarding. I get to work with and be around the neatest people in Pasco County.”

Bob Loring will do whatever it takes to get the word out for his annual local Toys For Tots campaign. (Michael Murillo/Staff photo)
Bob Loring will do whatever it takes to get the word out for his annual local Toys For Tots campaign. (Michael Murillo/Staff photo)

The retired Marine doesn’t look like Kris Kringle, either, but he does share a common goal with the Christmas character. With the help of elves (volunteers), he distributes toys to boys and girls during the holiday season.

The difference is that Loring does it in real life.

Loring heads up the local Toys For Tots chapter, part of a national program that distributes toys to needy children run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for more than 65 years. He took the helm back in 1999, and in his first year, the group distributed toys for nearly 400 children in the Dade City area.

But he knew it wasn’t enough.

To expand, Toys For Tots would have to increase the number of communities it serves. Most people who donate want the recipients to live in their area, Loring said. As a result, they’ve broadened their efforts to provide a happy holiday to children in Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel, as well.

The donations have gone up, too. Loring expects to distribute toys to around 4,000 children this year. And the method of distributing them is almost as important as the donations themselves.

Toys For Tots relies on school counselors to identify needy children and families. Then, instead of simply distributing bags of gifts based on age and gender, a parent or guardian will go to a local center where one of the elves helps them choose from the available toys for each child in the family.

Every recipient receives a couple of bigger gifts as well as some stocking stuffers to make sure they have a few things to open. Someone who knows them handpicks them all.

This method ensures the right gift goes to the right recipient, Loring said, because the parent or guardian has a good idea what each child would like. Some children might be more or less advanced for their age, and finding suitable gifts requires more than guesswork based on how old they are.

Letting a parent or guardian choose the gifts themselves provides another benefit: dignity.

“I want the parent, first of all, to be treated with kindness, to be brought into the Christmas spirit,” Loring said. “We’re not here to make people feel uncomfortable that they’re asking us to help them.”

By playing a role in deciding what their children receive, the experience is more in line with traditional gift giving.

While the organization has provided toys for decades, Toys For Tots had to adjust with the times. They still have collection boxes at various locations and businesses where people can donate new, unwrapped toys. And they still have their annual toy drive with the National Association of Letter Carriers, where residents leave toys by their mailboxes and the letter carriers pick them up on their postal routes.

The problem is that fewer people know about it.

The U.S. Postal Service previously allowed Toys For Tots distribute free mailers to each resident, letting them know when the drive would take place. But a few years ago they stopped providing that benefit due to costs, Loring said, so his organization has had to get more creative in getting the word out on when to leave toys for their letter carriers.

He admits that current donations would be even higher if not for the mailer setback, because many residents don’t know exactly when it occurs.

Still, with some assistance from the national Toys For Tots organization and mostly local donations, the chapter provides presents for thousands of local children each year. And with some help from other groups, Loring has built a network of add-ons to accompany the holiday presents.

For example, faith-based organizations and Rotary Club sponsor Food For Tots and Skivvies For Tots, offering food and clothing for those in need. And down the road, Loring would like to add Shoes For Tots as well.

But for now, Loring will settle for another successful toy drive for needy area families. And in doing so, it also will translate into a happier holiday for those volunteers who find it can be better to give than to receive.

“My elves get more out of this than the families we help. That is true,” Loring said. “They come away with the Christmas spirit and they take it home. It’s magnificent.”

The Letter Carriers’ toy drive is set for Dec. 6.

For more information about local Toys For Tots efforts, contact Loring at (352) 588-4230, or at .

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Old-fashioned service for printing and shipping

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Terry and Jo Anne Moses moved their business to their current location in October 2013 and changed their name to Express Shipping and Business Solutions. Their former business was named Creative Printing, which they started in 1988. It was located just down the road in a building now housing a winery.

Terry and Jo Anne Moses
Terry and Jo Anne Moses

Since moving into their new location, they’ve expanded their printing and shipping services, put in private mailboxes and added a Federal Express drop. They’re working to add a UPS drop and also a U.S. Postal Service drop soon.

Express Shipping is a full-service printing company. They have wide-format printers capable of scanning, and printing blueprints up to 36 inches wide x 5 feet. They also enlarge prints and photographs and have created collages of photographs for both personal and professional customers. High-speed copying is available for color, and black and white, up to 11 x 17 two-sided. They have a graphic artist available to design custom artwork and logos.

“We’ve put lots of photographs onto wide-format prints for our customers,” says Jo Anne. They also design and print business cards, novelty items, signs, magnetic car signs and vinyl road signs. A notary service and fax machines make this a one-stop shop for all of your printing and shipping needs.

Packing supplies are available for customers who pack their own boxes. In addition, they will pack items for you. “We like to think of ourselves as an old-fashioned general store for printing and shipping,” says Jo Anne. “Come in more than twice and you’ve become a friend.”

Terry and Jo Anne go above and beyond to help their customers. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. They pride themselves on fair pricing and outstanding personal service. Many family members work in the store alongside Terry and Jo Anne. They bought their home in Land O’ Lakes in 1987 and started their printing and shipping business in 1988. Jo Anne says they don’t plan on retiring anytime soon. They expect to be servicing customers in the Land O’ Lakes area long into the future.

They are very involved in the local community and have contributed to numerous local organizations. Terry is a past president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and has been the Chairman of the Board a number of times. They also sponsored Dancing with our Stars for the last two years.

Terry was on the board of directors for the United Cerebral Palsy Organization for almost 10 years.

Terry and Jo Anne are both long time members of Sertoma (which stands for Service to Mankind) and their clubs provide both volunteer service and raise thousands of dollars for local charities each year.

Terry and Jo Anne have been married for 32 years. Terry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10 years ago, but that has not stopped him from actively participating in their business.

Next time you’re in need of printing or shipping services or supplies stop on in and talk to Terry and Jo Anne Moses at Express Shipping. You’ll be glad you did.

Express Shipping & Business Solutions is located at 4710 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 17. They can be reached at (813) 996-6530.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Email service comes to Pasco County Jail

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Email service is on its way to the Pasco County Jail … for a fee.

SmartJailMail is being installed at the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, and is currently accepting applications from residents who wish to set up an account. It is not costing taxpayers money, but instead will be paid for by family members and friends of inmates who wish to utilize the program, according to a release.

A total of 77 kiosks are being set up in the detention center’s housing units, which will allow the inmates to read and send email to those who have approved accounts. Only email and photos sent through SmartJailMail accounts will be permitted, although inmates themselves will not be able to send photos.

Detention deputies will monitor emails and photos, just as outgoing phone calls made by inmates are currently monitored. Failure to follow the guidelines of the program could result in the cancellation of a user’s account.

Before SmartJailMail, inmates in the detention center were only allowed to receive postcards and pre-approved pictures through the U.S. Postal Service. The new email system will allow up to about eight pages of text sent for each email.

In addition to email, inmates will be able to make service requests via the kiosks, which include library services, chaplain meetings, and other social service programs. Inmates also will be able to review inmate rules and regulations, and provide tips to active criminal cases, such as the sheriff’s office’s “Caught on Camera” photographs.

Each email costs 50 cents to send, with each photo costing $1. Family members and friends can place funds into an inmate’s account so they have credits to both send and receive email and photos. Indigent inmates will be credited two emails every Saturday, which will expire that same day at midnight if they are not used.

The contract for SmartJailMail calls for 25 percent of profits to be returned to the inmate welfare account, which is used for inmate programs and services.

For more information, visit SmartJailMail.com.