A home for the holidays

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Glenn Parkinson, left, and Billy Simpson are trying to make the holidays brighter for kids at the New Beginnings Youth Shelter.

At the New Beginnings Youth Shelter in Hernando County, presents are being stashed under the tree for the homeless children and runaways who call the shelter home.

"What we're trying to do during the holiday season is give a little slice of family and a little bit of home until they leave here," program director Glenn Parkinson said.

Parkinson said the shelter relies heavily on donations year round, but they're especially important during the holidays.

"It's a very, very tough time for these kids and they would like to be home," Parkinson said. "We just have to help them make their lives a little easier."

The shelter is always taking donations like clothes, backpacks, school supplies and art supplies. The shelter's residential supervisor, Billy Simpson, said they've received some items but need a lot more to make sure the kids have a merry Christmas.

"PHCC (Pasco-Hernando Community College) came through, the Chamber of Commerce from Brooksville Regional, they came through as far as donating what they can, gift cards and things like that. But it's only so much," Simpson said.

The shelter is taking care of about 15 kids, but that number is always changing. On average it takes care of about 300 kids a year.

Parkinson said the shelter is always in need of tickets to places like the movies and cultural events, or even tickets for bowling.

If you would like to help, call the shelter at (352) 797-7566.

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