An organization which calls itself TheToyMakers is living up to its name with a major milestone. The non-profit based in Pinellas County delivered its 300,000th handmade toy today.
"Since 1982 we have finally hit the 300,000 toy mark," said Bill Coccia the President of The ToyMakers.
"What we do is get scrap wood from different cabinet shops and wood companies and we make the simple wooden toys, put four wheels on them most of the time, paint them with bright colors and distribute them to the different agencies and hospitals," he said.
Coccia says The ToyMakers average about 20,000 handmade toys each year and distribute them four times a year to 27 different agencies that service sick and disadvantaged kids.
Today volunteers went to the Ronald McDonald House in both Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Ginny Brings has been volunteering as a toy painter with The ToyMakers for four years, but she'd never personally delivered any of her creations until today.
"This is wonderful. This is my first trip, and it's wonderful. I mean these kids are smiling from ear to ear and it's just great," Brings said.
Sharisse Roberts' 17-month-old daughter received a hand painted bird on wheels today. She says the gift means the world to them.
"That's a lot of dedication and hard work that they've put into them and our family very much appreciates that. It's very cool," Roberts said.
The ToyMakers got their start in 1982 and operated completely on donations and volunteer hours.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:19:43 GMT
Hank Earl Carr
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:44 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:44:16 GMT
AP Photo
As many as 60 people were injured in Virginia Saturday when a car drove into a group of hikers marching in a parade. No fatalities have been reported, but injuries range from superficial to critical.
As many as 60 people were injured in Virginia Saturday when a car drove into a group of hikers marching in a parade. No fatalities have been reported, but injuries range from superficial to critical.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:01 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:01:35 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:18 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:18:18 GMT
Early English lottery ticket
According to the History of Lottery researchers, after the first English lottery approved by King James I in 1612 that granted the Virginia Company of London the right to raise money.
According to the History of Lottery researchers, after the first English lottery approved by King James I in 1612 that granted the Virginia Company of London the right to raise money.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:01 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:01:35 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:04 AM EDT2013-05-19 13:04:58 GMT
Security camera image
Winter Haven Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Friday at a Winter Haven grocery store.
Winter Haven Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Friday at a Winter Haven grocery store.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:18 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:18:18 GMT
Early English lottery ticket
According to the History of Lottery researchers, after the first English lottery approved by King James I in 1612 that granted the Virginia Company of London the right to raise money.
According to the History of Lottery researchers, after the first English lottery approved by King James I in 1612 that granted the Virginia Company of London the right to raise money.
