Operation Unwrap A Smile Needs You

Herbert and Stephanie Roshell of Land O' Lakes run their nonprofit organization, Operation Unwrap A Smile, from their home, relying on donations and their own funds to reach displaced, homeless and at-risk youth in Pasco County and beyond. 

The organization also provides outreach services to local nursing homes, giving residents basic toiletries and gifts—"Blankets are a big hit!"—and taking kids along to sing and share their company.

The Roshells store the items donated by businesses and individuals in a small spare bedroom in their home, but since founding the 501c3 organization in 2005, their outreach has outgrown the space.

"We have donations, but nowhere to put them," Stephanie Roshell said. "We're hoping someone can help us with storage. A building to call home for the donations."

"We're all over Pasco County, and we just want people to know we're here," Stephanie Roshell said. "We're growing, and we need help."

"We would love to have a place where people can come and see what the organization does," Herbert Roshell said.

In addition to assistance with a building and monetary donations, Operation Unwrap A Smile also needs:

• socks
• underwear
• t-shirts
• deodorant
• soap
• feminine products
• hair accessories
• lotion
• toothbrushes
• toothpaste
• cologne
• perfume
• nail polish
• backpacks
• hand santitizer
• blankets
• slippers
• handheld games
• gift cards

Gift cards "are for those that are homeless and the runaway shelter so they can eat and buy what they need to survive the streets," Stephanie Roshell said. "We also use them for our honor students as awards."

TJ Maxx in Clearwater is one of the organization's biggest donors of gift items, Stephanie Roshell said. She's hoping more local businesses will be willing to come on board, as well.

The organization also welcomes volunteers who would like to attend outreach events. "It's open to anybody who wants to go," Stephanie Roshell said.

"We take people they can relate to, somebody who was broken and repaired, to show them hope."

Read more about the Roshell's outreach work and Stephanie's experience as a homeless teen here.

If you would like to help, call 813-748-4775. For more information, you also can visit Operation Unwrap A Smile's website.