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Deputy Santa Needs Your Help

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By ANGELA DELGADO, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 1, 2007

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Hillsborough County sheriff's Deputy Michelle Branscomb is the Santa Claus of District 3.

For the past 11 years, she has been coordinating the District 3 Community Toy Drive for children living in and around Carrollwood, Town 'N Country, Egypt Lake, Westchase and Citrus Park. Branscomb said she started the collection when people kept calling in for help. Every year, the toy drive collects for 300 to 360 needy children, she said.

So far, the station has 58 children picking up toys on Dec. 15, the day the "real" Santa Claus will be at the District 3 station, 7202 Gunn Highway, (813) 801-6707.

Branscomb is focusing on collecting the toys that will be given to those children. Anyone wanting to donate gifts may drop them off at the station, Monday through Friday, or at the entrance of Three Lakes Mobile Home Park, 9800 Sheldon Road. Toy donations also will be welcome at a fundraiser from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 7 at Wal-Mart, 7011 W. Waters Ave.

"The day of the event we'll be out there nonstop collecting toys," Branscomb said.

"It's really important to keep track of our communities and let them know we're here to help them, Branscomb said. "This year is going to be a rough year for a lot of people. The toy drive takes pressure off of the parents. If we can help alleviate some of that, we can probably prevent some arguments."

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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