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Foster Angel Program continues to make impact
FOX 13's Mark Wilson highlights the Foster Angel Program, a heartwarming Tampa tradition that is celebrating its 35th year of bringing joy to children in need this holiday season in What's Right with Tampa Bay.
TAMPA - A heartwarming Tampa tradition is celebrating its 35th year of bringing joy to children in need. The Foster Angel Program, started by an employee at Tampa General Hospital, is continuing to make an impact decades later.
Thirty-five years ago, when Dewlyn Collins was a dishwasher at TGH, he noticed something that deeply moved him: Children in foster care without any Christmas presents.
Foster Angel Program celebrates 35 years.
"The true meaning of Christmas is giving and loving," Collins said.
With a simple idea and a lot of determination, he started the Foster Angel Tree program at TGH.
"Everybody told me they don't know how I can do it," said Collins.
READ: Inside one Tampa organization's mission to support sick kids this holiday season
He worked overtime and collected donations from hospital staff to buy presents for the children, and the tradition has only grown.
"They take time out of their busy schedule with their families and help make these kids' Christmas. That's what it's all about," Collins explained.
Collins' assistant, Inga Balloon, played a key role in turning his vision into a community-wide effort.
Foster Angel Program celebrates 35 years.
"Not many people can do something like that, to start from the ground, and then be able to build it to something so grand. I'm just very appreciative that we can continue on this journey like this," Inga Balloon, Dietary Services Supervisor Tampa General Hospital said.
He also has help from Kim Christine. Together, they work tirelessly to ensure every child has a reason to smile during the holiday season.
"I hope that these gifts bring something to them that they might not otherwise have," said Christine, Administrator of Community Health and Wellness at Tampa General Hospital.
"And then I really hope they learn about paying it forward, about doing things for others, about being grateful and about coming together as a community to help others."
Collins retired in 2019 and now Balloon has taken over the reins, with the help from hospital staff and volunteers.
"He will always ask if we're still doing the Foster Angel program," said Balloon. "And I will always share with him. Yes, we're still moving forward with the program."
This year, the Foster Angel Tree program is preparing to deliver thousands of gifts to children in Hillsborough County.
Foster Angel Program celebrates 35 years.
"He was smart enough and such a leader to really bring this to our entire organization. He rallied the entire organization to do this for kids in our community. So we have all of this. We have Delwyn to thank for all of this," Christine said.
Collins' legacy continues to spread joy, hope and love during the holiday season.
An incredible story of how one person's kindness sparked a movement.
Here's to another 35 years of the Foster Angel Program and to the amazing team carrying it forward.
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