| Release #: S12-01 |
| Release date: Wednesday, December 3, 2003 |
| Contact: Petty Officer Robert Suddarth |
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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY |
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Local Coast Guard unit collecting toys, clothing for needy children in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County |
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The St. Petersburg-based crew of U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit 307 is conducting Operation Fill the Boat, a toy and clothing drive to benefit less fortunate children in Pinellas County.
The concept is simple – Coast Guard members and a 25-foot boat set up outside local Wal-Marts and ask shoppers to throw a new toy or clothing item into the boat. The crewmembers even do push-ups after selected items are thrown into the boat. The donations will then be distributed to local charities and organizations in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County.
Chief Petty Officer Edward Messina, PSU crewmember, says the idea to collect toys and clothing was inspired by the many Marines that collect toys for children in Hillsborough County during the holiday season. Messina originally set a goal of 250-500 toys but has had to raise the goal to 1,000 and then 2,500 after a successful weekend in front of the Wal-Mart on Tyrone Blvd. netted more than 1,600 items.
Coast Guard PSU 307 members will be in front of the Wal-Mart on Tyrone Blvd. between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and at both the Super Wal-Mart on U.S. Highway 19 in Pinellas Park and the Tyrone Wal-Mart from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Coast Guard port security units are deployable units traditionally tasked with providing maritime defense of U.S. assets, equipment and personnel in critical foreign ports, harbors and waterways. They are organized to provide for command and control, waterborne security, shore security and logistics support and are comprised primarily of reservists representing a wide cross section of occupations including police officers, firemen, teachers, small business owners, accountants, painters, welders and students. -USCG- The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the |
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