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Club Donates Money To Charities

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2007

TAMPA PALMS - The members of the Tampa Palms Women's Club celebrated the holiday season recently by helping others.

The club presented $6,200 to local charities at its annual holiday potluck luncheon at Compton Park. The money was raised at the Arts & Crafts Under the Palms festival in October.

Representatives from the groups accepted the money and had an opportunity to thank about 75 club members and tell them about their organizations' work.

Organizations that had received donations in previous years and again this year are God's Pedal Power; Kids & Canines; Everyday Blessings; the Practical, Academic, Cultural Education Center for Girls; and the Outreach Assisting Students in Schools Network.

Two new groups, Wheels of Success and Rich's House, also were recipients.

Susan Jacobs, founder of Wheels of Success, said her organization "provides transportation to keep the family working." That includes cars, repairs and insurance.

In 2006, the organization provided assistance to 60 families; this year, it will help at least 120, she said.

Rich's House is a haven for children operated by Tampa police in the Sulphur Springs area. The children receive academic tutoring and participate in programs to build self-esteem and learn conflict resolution.
Tampa Police Officer Debbie Boles said, "It is the heartbeat of the neighborhood."

Mike Olsen of God's Pedal Power, which provides bicycles to children and adults in need in the University Area, praised the women's club for its assistance and the luncheon.

"This is a strong link in the chain that holds so many people together," Olsen said. "This is an opportunity to meet people and we can network with each other."

The club members also brought educational toys and games for children in need at Tampa Palms and Chiles elementary schools. The gifts were collected by Principals Shari Beaubien and Kimberly Keenan and other staff members.

The luncheon was a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the club, which was founded as the Tampa Palms Ladies Club with Billie Jo Whyte as the first president.

About half the past presidents were able to attend and honored with roses. All the names were announced and a report was presented as to where they are living or whether they are deceased.

Two founding members, Jo Didden and Tina Morea, were recognized.

Relay Organizers Set 2008 Goal

TEMPLE TERRACE - The goal for the 2008 Temple Terrace Relay For Life has been set at $165,000.

The group had its kickoff recently at the Woodmont Clubhouse, where American Cancer Society representatives presented information about the work of the organization.

The event will be April 18 and 19 at Greco Middle School, 6925 E. Fowler Ave. For details, call Joyce Johnston at (813) 985-3533.

Holiday Cheer Comes To Fisher House

NORTH TAMPA - Associates from Wal-Mart recently decorated the Fisher House at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center for the holidays.

Some residents of the house, which serves as a home for families of those receiving care, joined in the decorating.

House manager Paula Welenc and others went on a $5,000 shopping spree donated by the Wal-Mart at 2701 E. Fletcher Ave., to assist the house.

DeBartolo Foundation Increases Award Money

NORTH TAMPA - The DeBartolo Family Foundation recently announced that its Spirit of Humanity award monetary prize will increase to $25,000 in 2008.

For each of the past five years, the foundation has presented a $10,000 cash prize and trophy to a grass-roots charitable organization in the Tampa Bay community.

The increase was announced by Lisa DeBartolo, executive vice president of DeBartolo Holdings. The DeBartolo Family Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation created by the members of the Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. family to benefit local communities.

For details, visit www .debartolofamilyfoundation .com or call (813) 964-8302.

Immigration Law Topic For Rotary
TAMPA PALMS - William J. Flynn III of the international practice group at Fowler White Boggs Banker law firm will speak at Friday's meeting of the Rotary Club of New Tampa.

He will talk about Immigration Law Enforcement on Employees at the 7 a.m. breakfast at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.

The club is for professional and business leaders who live, work or are retired in the New Tampa area. For details, contact Matt Palmer at (813) 972-9235 or matt.palmer@earth link.net.

Send news of community interest to Lenora Lake at 15310 Amberly Drive, Suite 102, Tampa FL 33647; fax to (813) 975-9488; e-mail to llake@tampatrib.com; or call her at (813) 865-4851.

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