By Lara M. LaVoie
Since the time that Lisa Esposito and I became involved as co-chairs of the Community Services Committee (CSC) almost two years ago, I have been humbled and amazed at the dedicated group of volunteers I have had the opportunity to work with on our numerous charity events. Amid the stress and time commitments of life, these volunteers have taken time out to truly make a difference in the lives of others. That is something the world so desperately needs right now.
After the success of the Adopt a Veteran event in October, during which volunteers gave their time so generously to fulfill the wish lists and hearts of veterans in need, countless volunteers stepped up once again to support the CSC’s Elves for Elders event in December. The CSC (due in no small part to the unwavering dedication and commitment of my co-chair, Lisa Esposito) was able to get 250 elders “adopted” this year! Without volunteer elves, these wonderful and inspiring seniors would have had no presents under their trees/menorahs.
Hopefully, you will be able to spare a few hours to volunteer at one of our upcoming heartwarming charity events. In March, the CSC will be participating in Dining with Dignity Week, in association with Trinity Café. The CSC’s friends and family spend a few hours at Trinity Café serving sit-down, three-course meals to Hillsborough County’s homeless, hungry, and working poor. Their mission is to restore a sense of dignity to the homeless and hungry, while serving a nutritious meal. This unique café sets its tables with tablecloths and silverware. Lunch is served on china; drinks are poured in glasses; and the conversation is cheerful and compassionate. We will need volunteers for any day that week to serve lunch, pour drinks, or just sit and share some one-on-one meal-time conversation! To learn more about Trinity Café, please visit: www.trinitycafe.org.
The CSC’s most challenging but deserving event to date, a Pirate Plunder Party for the children living at A Kid’s Place in Brandon, will take place in May. We will be throwing another amazing Pirate Party so these children can forget about their troubles for a day. A Kid’s Place is a 60-bed facility for abused, neglected, or abandoned children ages 2 to 17. The facility uses a live-in house-parent model, which provides the children with a family-living atmosphere and a variety of services to meet their social, educational, medical, and psychological needs. Organizing and implementing this event requires a significant amount of time and resources. We really appreciate and need any and all help that you can provide! To find out more about A Kid’s Place, please visit: www.akidsplacetb.org.
If you are interested in joining the CSC or volunteering for an upcoming event, please contact Lara LaVoie (lmlavoie11@gmail.com) or Lisa Esposito (lisa@lesposito.com).
Thank you for your generosity and support!
