Library's Special Toys Prove to be a Real "Bell Ringer"PALM HARBOR - Through the generosity grants from the Palm Harbor Junior Women's Club and the Friends of the Library, Palm Harbor Library is proud to lend out a large collection of adaptive toys and devices for children and adults with special needs. The devices enable people with physical limitations to perform different activities they would otherwise find impossible. The human side of this collection and how it affects so many lives came to light last Christmas season, and again this year. Lois Eannel, Assistant Director and Head of Youth Services, received a call from young Marshall Roberts, who has cerebral palsy, but who has always aspired to be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. He asked to borrow the library's "ring around bells" adaptive toy. Unable to grasp the handle of a typical bell, this device lets him man his post in front of the Chelsea Place Publix grocery store in New Port Richey. Marshall and his service dog, Archie, have both become local celebrities, thanks in small measure to the library's Toys and Tools to Go collection. For further information on the adaptive toy collection, contact the library's Youth Services Department at 727/784-3332, Ext. 206.
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