Operation PAR, West Central Florida's largest substance abuse agency, is celebrating Christmas in July and hopes the community will join them
Approximately 250 adults are receiving residential treatment at PAR facilities and some are moms that have children who actually live on property with them. PAR's Adolescent Residential Center houses 30 teenage boys and girls and Outpatient, Intervention and Prevention programs have several hundred clients as well. While PAR can help them in their recovery process, PAR does not receive funding for the extras like Christmas gifts. Last year with the public's help, 1,200 adults and children had a merrier holiday season.
Personal experience tells PAR that people are overwhelmed with pleas for this type of assistance during November and December. That's why the request is coming this time of the year seeking donations of new toys and clothing for children from birth to 14 years of age. Suggested donations for adults include socks, t-shirts, paper, pens, markers and toiletries.
Your unwrapped gifts can be put under the Christmas tree at PAR's office at 6655 66th North in Pinellas Park throughout the month of July. If you choose to make a monetary donation in support of Christmas, please feel free to do so. For questions, call 545-7564.