'Toy Shop' supports Guardian At Litem program

TAMPA - Next time you head into your Credit Union take a look over your shoulder.

You may find, when you do that, right in the corner, a toy box. It is a toy box that carries with it, and in it, hope and dreams.

The toy box is part of a charity event called "The Toy Shop". The Toy Shop was set up to support the Guardian Ad Litem Program in Hillsborough County.

The toys collected will then go to the volunteers who serve as a child's voice in the court system.

According to Yvonne Marrone with the Guardian Ad Litem Program, those volunteers will then bring those toys to the young boys and girls, who through no fault of their own, find themselves often pulled out of a broken home and thrown into the foster care system.

Marrone says, sometimes the only constant for the child is that person in the GAL who meets with them and stays with them, speaking up on their behalf.

She adds the gift of a toy can help build that bond in a child's world where bonds have been broken.

A simple toy that may not seem like much but in a child's eyes, it can help to carry a hope and dream.

For more information you can go to the Guardian Ad Litem website