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Westchase Does Bit For Needy

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By MICHELE SAGER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2008

WESTCHASE - Residents of Westchase are opening their wallets and cleaning their closets to help people in need, and they are asking others in the county to do the same.

The community will host the Helping Hands Charity Event on Saturday to benefit a collection of charities.

Resident Claire Clements said the idea came about when she and neighbors were discussing the struggling economy.

"So many of us in Westchase have been very fortunate, and I thought it would be great if we could all give a little back," she said.

Donations will be taken from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Park Village Park on Montague Street, south of Linebaugh Avenue. Donations of the following items are requested: baby items and baby food; school supplies; clothing for children, teens, men and women; shoes; personal care items; new children's socks and undergarments; small electronic items; household items; nonperishable food; furniture; and other items that might be useful.

The event will also feature a series of booths to raise money for the charities. Those include a lemonade stand, kissing booth and hot dog vendor. People can also make direct donations.

The charities benefiting are Tampa Jewish Family Services, Joshua House, The Spring, Alpha House of Tampa, Metropolitan Ministries, ECHO, Faith Family Worship Center Inc. and The Lutheran Church of Your Savior.

Donations will also be taken for the 18-year-old woman who was raped and brutally beaten April 24 at Bloomingdale Regional Library in Brandon. The woman, who is undergoing inpatient rehabilitation, cannot walk or talk and is partially blind.

"A fund has been set up at a local bank to help the girl and her family," Clements said. "We will make sure all monetary donations directly go to that fund."

Those who would like to volunteer to help at the event, or to make a donation, should call Clements at (813) 293-3719 or Richard and Lourdes Hector (813) 263-6171 or send an e-mail to helpingneighbors2008@gmail.com.

Clements said she hopes the charity event will reach beyond Westchase.

"We really want the whole county to get involved," she said. "You don't even have to get out of the car. Just drive up and we'll take the donations. We want to make it easy for everyone to give."

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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