Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 12-24-19

Feature
Hospital Employee Celebrates 30 Years Of Giving Back
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Delwyn Collins is a veteran employee of Tampa General Hospital. In addi- tion to being somewhat dis- abled, Collins has been employed at the hospital for more than 30 years.
Legally blind, Collins was raised by a single mom. But his disability has not prevented him from accom- plishing his own goals. He rides his bicycle to the hos- pital to work. He is em- ployed at the hospital as a Kitchen Assistant.
He’s had some medical challenges this year. He is still recovering, but that has not kept him from prepar- ing for Christmas.
Thirty years ago, Collins launched a tradi- tion that keeps on expand- ing. And that tradition is having donated toys he pur- chased with his own money. And others observed his generosity and joined him in giving to the foster chil- dren of Hillsborough County.
Delwyn Collins is shown addressing those who at- tended the event.
In the past, he has even taken on a second job to keep his tradition of giving alive.
This year, the hospital donated between 500 and 800 gifts.
And his efforts have not gone unnoticed. Collins has been named a Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero. Being recognized in such a fashion allows the Lightning to award $50,000
Delwyn Collins is shown reading the letter of one of the foster children.
Delwyn Collins is shown with the hundreds of Christmas gifts that he and others purchased for children in foster care.
by TV Reporter, Bobby Lewis, entitled Finding Joy behind the head- lines.
Former TV Anchor Deanna Lawrence also featured Collins in her book. Among his other ac- complishments, Collins has been featured in Forbes Magazine and Reader’s Digest.
A spokesperson for the hospital said his co-workers love him so much that they sent him on an all expense paid vacation to Disney World two years ago. And when his bicycle was stolen on two different occasions, they purchased him new bi- cycles.
The spokesperson con- tinued to say, “Delwyn is simply a hero to all that know him, and we can’t thank him enough for all he has done for TGH and this program.”
But Collins remains humble and after each Christmas passes and others go back to their lives, he be- gins preparing for next year.
to the charity of his choice. That money went to the charity of his choice. He designated the Point of Light charity as the recipi- ent of the money.
Collins carried the
Olympic Torch across Tampa Bay. He was also featured in a book by then Florida Governor Jeb Bush son, of President George H. W. Bush. He was also featured in a book
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