Community support saves Christmas for foster kids

PORT RICHEY - After learning about the "Grinch" who stole $500 in Christmas toys intended for foster kids, dozens of Times readers responded Friday with donations to replace the holiday gifts.

The toys were stolen Wednesday night from the backseat of Tabitha Lambert's Hyundai Sonata, parked in her driveway at her Embassy Hills home. Lambert, a case coordinator for Guardian ad Litem, a group that advocates for the children in the child welfare system, was supposed to take the toys to work on Thursday and have them delivered to the kids next week.

According to a report from the Pasco Sheriff's Office, someone broke the rear passenger side window and stole the gifts.

After a story in Friday's Pasco Times on the incident, officials at Guardian ad Litem said they received about 60 offers to help the kids, from toys to monetary donations. The donations will not only help replace the gifts, but allow the organization to help kids throughout the year.

"Oh my gosh, the calls have been nonstop," Lambert said. "We had some waiting when we got here this morning."

Camille C. Spencer, Times staff writer

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