Osprey Observer » student

Durant Athletes Give In A Big Way

Tamas Mondovics — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:32:18 +0000

With Durant High School Head Basketball Coach Jeffery Shotwell at the helm, athletes from the school’s basketball, track and field, soccer and cheerleading program were able take part in the holiday spirit of giving by helping those in need.
“It was good for these student athletes to get involved in community projects and experience the satisfaction of giving and helping those who are less fortunate,” Shotwell said as he explained that just before the holiday break the students were involved with a couple of fundraisers, including selling T-shirts, which resulted in raising $700.
The money was then given to Everyday Blessings — a foster home for children in Thonotosassa — in the form of a Walmart gift card.
“They need the money for everyday supplies such as baby wipes, diapers, kitchen items and laundry detergent,” Shotwell said.
According to Shotwell, the children at Everyday Blessings desperately need role models and people that they can consistently depend on in their lives. He believes that the Cougars’ athletic program has a number of students who will step to the plate and be the type of people who will fill those roles.
“Everyday Blessings restores hope for these kids, and it would be great for our athletes to be a part of that process,” Shotwell said.
After visiting Everyday Blessings, to deliver the Walmart gift card, Shotwell was deeply touched and hoped to get personally involved with the facility during the coming year, while he vowed to strongly encourage the Durant athletes to do the same.
“I literally wanted to scoop up all the babies that were there and bring them home with me,” he said. Being a new father himself, having an 8-month -old son, Shotwell was overwhelmed at how children can get into that type of situation.
But the giving this past holiday season did not end there, as the fundraising continued with the effort of the Cougars cheerleaders, who have raised just over $1,100. With that money, toys, books and games were bought and given to All Children’s Specialty Clinic in Brandon in order to help it furnish its playroom and to give the therapists new supplies to use with children in therapy.
“They gave us a wish list of items they needed, and we were able to get most everything on the list,” Shotwell said, adding, “My assistant coach, Brandon Waraksa, even donated his own Wii video gaming system to the clinic, along with some games.”
During an earlier interview, Shotwell explained that it is important for young athletes to appreciate that there is more to life than just sports and that being successful is much more than just winning on the court.
For more information about Durant High School, please visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.

Florida State Fair Embraces Super Bowl with “Touchdown Tampa Bay”

Jennifer Silverstein — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:07:03 +0000

It’s just about time for Fair time! The Florida State Fair will be back in town before you know it. The fair will run this year from February 5-16. Gates open daily at 9 a.m. and closing time varies by the day of the week and weather conditions.
This year there will be five armband days, February 6, 8, 13, 15 and 16.
“This year’s ‘big event’ should be a lot of fun,” said Paul Wilson, President/CEO of Wilson Media, the company which handles all of the fair’s advertizing and media relations.
Rides and foods are still being secured, and there will be new of each, Wilson said. Food is the No. 1 reason people came to the fair last year, he said.
Wilson said, “Sharks will be sighted at this year’s Fair. A new exhibit, Shark Encounter is very interesting. But it’s educational and exciting for Fair-goers.”
“Yep, someone swims with the sharks, ‘live’ at the Fair,” he said.
Elvis impersonators will shake, rattle and roll in as the Elvis Extravaganza returns. Also, new this year, a Vegas-style show is coming called Glitz, A Tribute to halftime shows.
Opening day, Thursday, February 5, after 3 p.m., you can save 33 percent off regular price of an armband at $20 each armband. No advance sales; must be purchased at a Fair Midway booth inside the Fair.
Student days Friday, February 6 and Monday, February 16, students ages 12 through 12th grade can get into the fair for $6, children ages 6-11 for $5. This student discount on gate admission can only be purchased at the entrance gate on these fair days.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a box of pens and/or pencils to benefit Teaching Tools program for Hillsborough Education Foundation.
This discount is separate from the free admission voucher provided to the public school district students in participating counties. Students must bring their admission voucher and provide it at the entrance gate to get free admission on the specified day.
Hillsborough county public school students will receive free admission vouchers valid for use on Friday February 6.
Senior days are February 10-12, with seniors ages 55 and over getting in for $6; free gate admission is available on February 12 after 4 p.m. This discount can only be purchased at the entrance gate on these days during the fair.
For more information about the 2009 Florida State Fair, call toll-free (800) 345-FAIR or 621-7821 or visit www.floridastatefair.com.

Library Attack Victim’s Recovery Inspired By Community

Carisa Biesecker — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:55:21 +0000

Every good story seems to start with a hero seeded in trying circumstances due to some foe’s doing, but good always perseveres. Every now and again, life mimics these stories as is the case with the victim of the Bloomingdale Library attack.
Having been brutally attacked by accused assailant Kendrick Morris, now 17, in April at the Bloomingdale Library, the 18-year-old East Bay High School student was left badly beaten and blinded, leading to an induced coma in her recovery from the injuries. Morris is currently in Hillsborough County jail and is scheduled to be tried as an adult, while the victim returned home from rehabilitation in November.
“She’s doing good. Home has been a much better environment for her to recover in. It is much easier for her but harder on my mom,” states the victim’s older sister, both of whose names cannot be released due to legal reasons. The victim’s eyesight has improved, and the family is working on her ability to start eating solid foods, which will then help strengthen her capacity to speak. Her sister says the 18-year-old communicates through hand and face gestures. To keep her therapy on track and her progress enduring, the Brandon-based family is seeking volunteers in the realm of a speech therapist, a nutritionist and a doctor of alternative medicine as the 18-year-old is reacting poorly to current prescriptions.
With the support of the community, the victim has gained a wheelchair, a conversion van, donations and volunteers’ time and help. “There’s so many [who have helped], I wouldn’t be able to name them all,” says the sister. “We just want to say thank you. We really wish we could personally thank you all.”
Care is around the clock for the victim, whose mother is the main provider of her needs, though many volunteers from the community have helped along the way. Through time and donations, over $100,000 to put a number on it, the family has been able to move forth with the 18-year-old’s therapy, but funds are running out and coverage will soon be coming to an end.
If you would like to make a donation to the recovering 18-year-old, visit any branch of SunTrust Bank with a check made payable to the Bloomingdale Library Attack Victim Fund. Or, if you would like to volunteer your time and energy to help the family, call Cheryl Zemina, a close friend of the family’s, at 695-1412.
In the end, the victim’s sister exclaims, “It’s helped our little sister recover faster knowing there are so many good people out there, rather than just one bad person. Everyone tells her she is an inspiration, but the truth is, the community is an inspiration to her to get better.” And this victim plans to be a victim no longer but a hero in her own right as she uses the bad to forge good, one day planning to create her own charitable endeavor, helping those who have suffered as well from brain injuries, stroke and trauma. But readers will have to find out more about those adventures in the sequel.
Until then, visit www.bloomingdalelibraryattackvictim.com to blog or see what upcoming fundraising events are in the works.

Eye on Business

Kate Quesada — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:26:36 +0000

Valrico State Bank FishHawk Blvd. recently hosted a Smart Women Finish Rich seminar. The seminar encourages financial freedom and is the first step towards managing one’s own finances. For more information, contact Anita Silverstein at Valrico State Bank in FishHawk at anita.silverstein@valricostate.com.

Jaymer-Que Celebrates Anniversary & Grand Opening of Ms. Cyndi’s Cafe On December 3, head over to Jaymer-Que Southern BBQ and Ms. Cyndi’s Corner Café for a third anniversary/grand opening celebration. Customers bringing in three non-perishable items for the Bell Shoals Baptist Church food pantry will receive one free pork sandwich from the restaurant which’s menu features a wide range of BBQ dishes and sides from ribs and chicken to beans and potatoes. Ms. Cyndi’s Corner Café, which recently opened, is Jaymer-Que’s sister restaurant offering homemade soups, sandwiches and more. For more information, call Jaymer-Que at 6JQ-4BBQ. Both restaurants are located in the Albertson’s Plaza on Lithia Pinecrest Rd., just north of the intersection with Bloomingdale Ave.

After Image Salon Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Located at 15258 FishHawk Blvd., Ste. 500, After Image Salon recently celebrated its membership in the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting. The salon, owned by David and Donna Froncillo, offers a wide range of spa and salon services including hair, massage and facials with current specials for military and a $99 spa package. For more information, call 653-7727.

Local State Farm Agent Supports Safety Belts If you have driven by Newsome High School (NHS) recently, you may have noticed a severely wrecked car sitting on the corner. This is just one way that State Farm Agent Melissa Snively and NHS student government are trying to get the attention of students and faculty. This campaign is part of a countywide contest called “Battle of the Belts” to get high school drivers and their passengers to wear safety belts. “Battle of the Belts” is coordinated by the Hillsborough County Traffic Safety Team (CTST) and dedicated to all Hillsborough County teens who lost their lives in a car crash because they were not wearing a safety belt. “Car accidents are the number one cause of death for teenage drivers in the U.S.” says Snively, citing the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “If we can save lives by simply wearing our safety belts, it would just make sense to promote regular use among all drivers, especially teenagers.” Newsome High School was the 2007 winner of the “Battle of the Belts” competition for highest percentage of students wearing their safety belts. The school hopes to hold the title again for 2008. A safety belt survey will be conducted sometime after the November campaign at each high school in the county. The NHS Student Government has taken an active role during November to create awareness of the contest among students. They hope to convince their peers to always wear their safety belts. Supporters of this contest include The Katie Marchetti Memorial Foundation, St. Joseph Children’s Hospital of Tampa, Heads Up of Safety and State Farm Insurance. For more information about “Battle of the Belts” and any of the supporting organizations, please visit www.battleofthebelts.com or call 727-579-2000. To reach Snively, call 662-3622.

D.R. Horton, Inc. Announces New Single Family Community A new community of single-family homes in Plant City, built by highly-acclaimed national builder D.R. Horton, is welcoming families with open arms and the key to a comfortable, neighbor-friendly lifestyle with Whispering Woods. Whispering Woods features 143 single family homes, each backing up to conservation area and ponds for the ultimate in non-invasive living. The homes are based on seven new floor plans with four optional elevations per plan, including but not limited to stone accents and front porches. These one- and two-story homes are built to suit every level of buyer at every stage of their life-from those needing a minimal 1,749 sq. ft. of living space to those who wish to sprawl out in 2,879 sq. ft. of living space. Within that living space, residents will be enveloped in minimum 9-ft first floor ceilings, ceramic tile in all wet spaces and wall-to-wall plush carpeting in common areas, and beautiful maple-look cabinetry that exquisitely accents GE® appliances. And for storage needs, spacious closets are in every room, and a 2-car garage is included. Amenities include a pool, cabana, tot lot and a hiking trail that the whole family can enjoy together. Sales of Whispering Woods open to the public on Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m. at D.R. Horton’s Magnolia Green Sales Office, located at 3207 Azalea Blossom Dr. For more information on Whispering Woods, or any other D.R. Horton communities, call the Magnolia Green Sales office at 717-7501 or visit http://tpa.drhorton.com.

Edward Jones to Host Holiday Open House Elijah Heath, a local financial advisor for the financial services firm Edward Jones, invites the public to attend a Holiday Open House at 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, December 18 at 16132 Churchview Dr., Suite 201, Lithia. “We are happy to be part of the Lithia community and would like to express our appreciation for the confidence and support we receive year-round,” Heath said. Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom. Edward Jones is headquartered in St. Louis. For information, call 657-2078 or www.edwardjones.com.

BNI Helps Business Owners The Valrico Money Source Chapter of Business Networking International (BNI) is hosting an open networking meeting on December 4. This informative meeting will demonstrate recession-proof marketing ideas and concepts for small business owners and will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the River Hills Country Club in Valrico. A meeting fee of $5 is charged to cover room and breakfast fee. Interested parties need only e-mail Teresa Rojek at trojek@rojekhomeservices.com to reserve a seat and for additional information or directions (reservations required). For more information, call Rojek at 833-0223 or visit www.bniwcf.com.

Pinch A Penny Celebrates Two Years Pinch A Penny Boyette/FishHawk, located at the intersection of Boyette Rd., Bell Shoals Rd., and FishHawk Blvd., is celebrating two years in business this month taking care of residents swimming pool needs. “We are proud to be a Florida state contract licensed Pinch A Penny, offering not only supplies and expertise at our retail store, but on-site repair and cleaning at your swimming pool with skilled technicians,” said owner Kim Zerr. Hours are Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call 657-1054.

Business Hosts Retirement Seminar What are you doing now to secure your financial future? Plan Retirement is hosting a retirement seminal on Tuesday, January 13, to help residents learn the best ways to financial stability . The program will reveal proven techniques to help residents preserve capital, decrease risk exposure and reduce tax burden. There is not charge or obligation, just information that can help you choose appropriate financial options if you are retired or preparing for retirement. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at Delaney Creek Lodge, Brandon. For more information, call Marsha at 263-7611.

Resident Earns Professional Designation The slumping Real Estate market in Florida has homeowners searching for ways to help bring a profit in the sale of their homes. Home Staging® has become one such tool. By properly cleaning, de-cluttering and preparing a house for the market before it is listed homeowners have a better chance of selling their home in record time and for more money, in fact an 80 percent better chance according to nationally collected statistics found on Stagedhomes.com. Bloomingdale Teresa Rojek, accredited as an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP®) in 2006, is now serving the Tampa Bay area as an Accredited Staging Professional Master (ASPM®). Teresa is among 350 Master Stagers nationwide. The ASP and ASPM designation are the only Staging designations recognized by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Rojek, owner of Rojek Home Services received hands-on instruction from the creator of Home Staging, Barb Schwarz. For more information about Home Staging in the Tampa Bay area, contact Rojek at 833-0223 or trojek@rojekhomeservices.com.

Snap Fitness Opens in Lithia With the holiday season underway, what better time to start an exercise regime? And the newly opened Snap Fitness on FishHawk Blvd. makes it easy to get in shape. The fitness center, featuring a variety of cardio and exercise equipment, can be accessed 24 hours a day so members can attend at their convenience. Staff are in the location during business hours. Rates start at about $1 a day and members do not need to sign a long term contract and can pay as they go. All members can visit any of the Snap Fitness locations around the country and access bonus online training, nutrition and wellness services. Branches are also expected to open soon in Valrico at the intersection of Brentwood Hills Blvd. and S. Mt. Carmel Rd. and Brandon at Providence Lakes Blvd. and Providence Rd. For more information, call 341-SNAP (7627) or visit www.snapfitness.com.

Cardel Homes Introduces Evening Hours Cardel Homes, the builder of single family, multi-family and resort homes in locations across North America, plans to accommodate homebuyers’ schedules by providing new model home hours. The new hours are as follows: Monday-Friday, 2-8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 Noon-6 p.m. Having over 30 years in the construction business, Cardel attributes its success to dedication to quality, fairness and community involvement, being an active member of the Tampa Bay community. For more information, visit www.cardelhomes.com.

County Pledges To Improve On Bus Safety Issues

Tamas Mondovics — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:42:31 +0000

It is safe to say that the start of every school year is the most hectic time for parents, students, teachers and school administrators all around the county. But nothing seems to stir the emotions more than student transportation and bus stop issues which were once again a hot topic at the recently held series of 2008-09 town hall meetings led by Hillsborough County’s Superintendent MaryEllen Elia.
After parents fired questions at Elia, which included the problem with not enough bus stops, having unsafe bus stops on busy streets, changes on routes, overloaded busses and a seeming lack of transportation efficiency of drop-off and pick-up times, there was no doubt changes would have to be made.
One of these parents, convinced the system is flawed, was Becky Goodman, whose daughter was mistakenly put on the bus at school and dropped off at a bus stop without a parent to meet her.
According to school officials, as far as the recently raised issues are concerned, such as the overloading as well as the installation of safer bus stops, problems have been resolved, and the department has made the necessary changes.
Elia told parents that the district did investigate more than 200 bus stop complaints and moved about 80 stops already, while most concerns had to be referred to Hillsborough County Schools General Transportation Manager John Franklin, who said, during a phone interview, that the issues parents were concerned with at the start of the year were legitimate and have been addressed.
“Parents can rest assured that the department is working hard to make sure that the kids are safe,” Franklin said.
Franklin explained that safety is the department’s first and foremost goal and focus, while acknowledging that there are situations that do arise every year.
“We have installed additional bus stops and given parents some additional information on the changes that were made,” Franklin said.
The way this is done, according to Franklin, is through the department’s Bus Stop Safety Review Committee, set up not only to fix the problems already on the list, but, also, the ones that might arise in the future.
While not trying to minimize the transportation department’s responsibilities and the errors made at the start of the year, Franklin said that it does take time to work out some of the bugs, especially when parents do not follow the directions given by the school their children attend.
According to Franklin, children are often left at a certain bus stop without notifying the department under the assumption that their children will get to school.
“While we will not leave a child alone at the stop, it does create some overloading problems,” Franklin said.
To work on these and other safety issues on and off the buses, the department sends out field supervisors as well as certified traffic safety inspectors to evaluate each route on a regular basis.
Franklin said that the budget cuts are not affecting the way the department operates.
For more information, changes or questions, please visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/transportation or call 272 4602.

RH Holds Season’s First College Signing

Tamas Mondovics — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:38:50 +0000

Known for its high number of students who receive both athletic and academic scholarships year after year, Riverview High School has once again wasted no time to hold its first college signing of the 2008-09 school year.
Continuing in the tradition of parents, friends, teachers and coaches who gather in the principal’s conference room for a festive occasion, the school hosted a college signing for Kayla Webb in September.
Webb, who has played for the Sharks’ girl soccer team, was excited to sign her letter of intent on attending and, of course, playing soccer for Tennessee Temple University, a choice, she admitted was not too difficult to make since she will be joining her best friend Brandy Schock, who had signed with Tennessee Temple University at the end of the last season and began attending this year.
“My coaches and Brandy have convinced me to take this road, and, now, I can hardly wait to start,” Webb said.
Pleased with Webb’s success, Riverview High School Athletic Director Ron Wardlow began the ceremony by sharing his thoughts with those present.
“The greatest joy for a school is to see a student succeed and advance both academically and athletically,” Wardlow said, adding, “We are extremely proud of Kayla and wish her the best at her new school.”
Riverview High School principal Robert Heilman was also proud of Webb and her decision when he said, “I am pleased with your choice, not only of the sport but of the education as well. We wish you a successful future.”
According to Steven Houle, who has coached the girls soccer program at Riverview for the last three years and has now tuned the responsibility over to the school’s new head soccer coach Katie Reed, Webb was essential to the Sharks’ success.
“Kayla is a happy spirit, and I have enjoyed her company on the team. She has played and is capable of playing well in every position. She is a team player and never questioned her coaches. I am honored to have had her here with us,” Houle said.
Webb’s future college coaches Matt Smith and assistant coach Carlos Goncalves were also present during the celebration. While Webb will play-out most of the current season, she will be graduating early.
For more information about upcoming events and future college signings, please call the school at 671-5011, ext. 222.

Bleu Donates Special Day For Victim

Jennifer Silverstein — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:24:48 +0000

There has been a recent outpouring of support from the community for the East Bay High School student who was attacked at Bloomingdale Library in April.
Recently, a benefit was held at the Ruskin VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), located at 5120 U.S. Hwy. 41 N. in Ruskin raising more than $17,000 of much needed funds for the student who now requires $30,000 per month in rehabilitation costs
In Valrico, Bleu Salon will open its doors on a Monday when it is typically closed and donate all funds for services to the girl’s fund. On Monday, September 29, 12 Noon-5 p.m., all haircuts, blow dry and style, mini manicures and mini pedicures, 15-minute massages and waxing will be for donations to the fund. Bleu is located at the Lithia Crossings Stein Mart anchored plaza at 3472 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Call 651-4020 or visit www.bleusalonandspa.com.
This is not the first time that Bleu Salon has given back in August of 2007 they held an event called Hairdresser Unlocking Hope. A total of $2,665 was raised for those still in need from Hurricane Katrina.
In 2005 and 2006, the salon sponsored local participants in the Susan G. Women 3 day walk for Breast Cancer and donated $3,024 (in 2006) and $2,975 (in 2005). Bleu Salon has also donated to the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO). Back in 2005, the entire salon and clients donated 800 cans of food for those in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
At the Ruskin event, there was food, music, and beverages. The cost was $10 per family at the door or $5 per person. Additional donations were also accepted; for a donation of $10 or more, people could sign an eight-foot banner for her.
Melanie Morrison, the executive director for the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, who along with a small committee comprised of Denise Reiter, Shirley May, Tony Zipperer, Stacy Self and Kelly Reedy, organized the event in less than two weeks, she said. She enlisted the help of some of the girl’s friends.
The event raised a total of $20,000, with the Wal-Mart on Bloomingdale Ave. having donated $1,000 prior to the event, and the Brandon Foundation committed to donating $2,000. The night of the event, Morrison said, they raised $17,000 in cash.
“We never dreamed it would be that great,” she said. She had volunteered for the Ruskin Relay for Life in April of 2008, approximately two weeks before her attack, Morrison said. She had also volunteered the year before at the Ruskin Seafood Festival in November of 2007. “So it had extra meaning,” Morrison said.
The 18-year-old girl, who was blinded in the April attack and can’t walk or swallow, is undergoing rehabilitation in Sarasota. The girl was about to graduate from East Bay and had a full scholarship to the University of Florida. Morrison said the girl’s sister told them that the girl and her mother watched the event on television from their room.
Her care costs $30,000 a month and Medicaid recently notified the girl’s family that it would only pay for her medical care until August 15.
The girl’s 16-year-old assailant, Kendrick Morris, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, aggravated and sexual battery. He has pled guilty and is awaiting trial in Orient Road Jail.
For more information, call Morrison at 645-3808 or send an e-mail to ruskinchamber@earthlink.net.
For those who did not make the event, but still wish to contribute, a fund has been set-up for the teenager at SunTrust Bank. To contribute, go to any SunTrust Bank branch and request the money go to the Bloomingdale Library Assault Fund.
Other events are being planned across the community with all funds going directly to the care of the girl, whose name and identity has remained private.

Community Embraces Events For Victim

Jennifer Silverstein — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:33:07 +0000

There has been a recent outpouring of support from the community for the East Bay High School student who was attacked at Bloomingdale Library in April.
Recently, a benefit was held at the Ruskin VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), located at 5120 U.S. Hwy. 41 N. in Ruskin raising more than $17,000 of much needed funds for the student who now requires $30,000 per month in rehabilitation costs
In Valrico, Bleu Salon will open its doors on a Monday when it is typically closed and donate all funds for services to the girl’s fund. On Monday, September 29, 12-5 p.m., all hair cuts, mini manicures and pedicures, 15-minute massages and waxing will be for donations to the fund. Bleu is located at the Lithia Crossings Stein Mart anchored plaza at 3472 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Call 651-4020 or visit www.bleusalonandspa.com.
At the Ruskin event, there was food, music, and beverages. The cost was $10 per family at the door or $5 per person. Additional donations were also accepted; for a donation of $10 or more, people could sign an eight-foot banner for her.
Melanie Morrison, the executive director for the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, who along with a small committee comprised of Denise Reiter, Shirley May, Tony Zipperer, Stacy Self and Kelly Reedy, organized the event in less than two weeks, she said. She enlisted the help of some of the girl’s friends.
Morrison said anywhere between 1,000-1,100 people were served spaghetti dinners at $5 a plate. The spaghetti was prepared by Bernie’s Sports Bar. Other food items were donated by Sisco, Apollo Meats, The Island Bar & Grill and Olive Garden in Brandon. John Lawson, of Hydro Harvest Farms in Ruskin, donated, made and distributed 300 strawberry shortcakes. Morrison said they were “very popular.” Chick-fil-A also donated assorted desserts and tea for the event. Coca-Cola donated 30 cases of soda for the event and the VFW rented out its building for no charge for this event.
“At one point, we ran out of food,” Morrison said. “Pizza Hut in Sun City Center called and brought enough food for 200 more people.”
The event raised a total of $20,000, with the Wal-Mart on Bloomingdale Ave. having donated $1,000 prior to the event, and the Brandon Foundation committed to donating $2,000. The night of the event, Morrison said, they raised $17,000 in cash.
“We never dreamed it would be that great,” she said. She had volunteered for the Ruskin Relay for Life in April of 2008, approximately two weeks before her attack, Morrison said. She had also volunteered the year before at the Ruskin Seafood Festival in November of 2007. “So it had extra meaning,” Morrison said.
The 18-year-old girl, who was blinded in the April attack and can’t walk or swallow, is undergoing rehabilitation in Sarasota. The girl was about to graduate from East Bay and had a full scholarship to the University of Florida. Morrison said the girl’s sister told them that the girl and her mother watched the event on television from their room.
Her care costs $30,000 a month and Medicaid recently notified the girl’s family that it would only pay for her medical care until August 15.
The girl’s 16-year-old assailant, Kendrick Morris, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, aggravated and sexual battery. He has pled guilty and is awaiting trial in Orient Road Jail.
For more information, call Morrison at 645-3808 or send an e-mail to ruskinchamber@earthlink.net.
For those who did not make the event, but still wish to contribute, a fund has been set-up for the teenager at SunTrust Bank. To contribute, go to any SunTrust Bank branch and request the money go to the Bloomingdale Library Assault Fund.
Other events are being planned across the community with all funds going directly to the care of the girl, whose name and identity has remained private.