HCBA MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
Community Services Committee �������������������������������������������
The Community Services Committee ( CSC ) enjoyed another amazing year last year thanks to the support and generosity of our wonderful volunteers and donors . The CSC is looking forward to continuing where we ended last year , with your support , of course !
After the success of the Adopt-a- Veteran event last October ( led by Mary Snyder and Tristan Wolbers of Tajer Wolbers PLLC and cochaired by Lara LaVoie of LaVoie & Kaizer , P . A . and Sacha Dyson of Thompson , Sizemore , Gonzalez & Hearing , P . A .) where volunteers gave their time and donations so generously to fulfill the wish lists of veterans in need , countless volunteers and donors stepped up once again to support the CSC ’ s Elves for Elders event in December ( led by Lisa Esposito of the Law Offices of Lisa Esposito P . A ., in her thirteenth year chairing this event , and co-chaired by James Giardina of The Consumer Rights Law Group and Lara LaVoie ) to help make the holidays brighter for these inspiring seniors . We were able to get every one of the 350 elders adopted and raised an additional $ 7,000 !
In March , the CSC hosted Dining with Dignity Week ( led by Amy Bandow of Cooley Law School and co-chaired by Jeff
Burns ), where volunteers ( including members of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit ) spent quality time at Trinity Café serving sit-down , threecourse meals to Hillsborough County ’ s homeless and working poor . It was a rewarding experience for all !
Our final event of the year took place in May at A Kid ’ s Place in Brandon , which is an incredible nonprofit center for abused and abandoned children . To help these amazing children feel like kids for a day , the CSC threw them another Pirate Plunder Party this year . Once again , it was a resounding success thanks to all who donated or came out to help . We had some fun activities , and everyone had a blast — the kids and the CSC ’ s volunteers included . We played pirate games and allowed every little scallywag to pick prizes out of our treasure chest . We dressed the little buccaneers as pirates and let them make their very own treasure chests . The generosity of BubbaQue ’ s , the Law Offices of Lisa Esposito , P . A . and South Tampa Dermatology allowed everyone to enjoy some very tasty grub . The unbelievable desserts were made possible by Petite Madelyn ’ s Bakery in Brandon ( who supplied the delicious cupcakes ); Nita Hospel ( who donated yummy cookies ) and Publix ( who donated some lovely treats as well — thanks to the help of Tristan Wolbers ). Due to the generosity of King of Bounce of Tampa , the kids were able to enjoy a pirate bounce house , snow cones ,
“ How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world .” — Anne Frank popcorn , and their very own candy-making machine ! Many heartfelt thanks go to Stingray Chevrolet and its manager John Whaley , and all of their employees as they again stepped up to the plate as one of our major sponsors , allowing the CSC to have thousands of toys in the prize chest . Panther Medical , Advanced Diagnostic Group , Maria Miranda of Miranda Insurance ( State Farm ), and Go Junk ’ s incredible support allowed the CSC to provide every child with tickets to a movie and snacks at Goodrich Quality Theater in Riverview ( due to its generous discount ) and a full meal at DairyLand in Brandon ( due to its generous discount ).
At this year ’ s Pirate Party , the kids were lucky enough to enjoy some awesome music and dancing and fun photo time thanks to the generosity of Paul Gigante ( of Gigante Productions ), who was kind enough to donate both an incredible photo booth and his time and DJ talent . The children were also able to enjoy their very own petting zoo , courtesy of James Giardina .
The CSC is truly humbled and overwhelmed by the amount of donations and volunteer support that we received for this event . The CSC would like to thank all of our volunteers , the Hillsborough County Bar Association , as well as the following donors : Stingray Chevrolet ; Law Offices of Lisa
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