Operation: Veteran Connect engages volunteers who are veterans or military family members who feel a special calling to serve other veterans. Many are mobilized as AmeriCorps Members, committing 20 hours/week for a full year to empower veterans in their journey to personal wellness, in partnership with James A. Haley and Bay Pines VA Whole Health…
Like so many other organizations, Friends of the Riverwalk was hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. We were forced to cancel our largest annual event and most significant fundraiser, Tampa Riverfest in May, because of the pandemic. Projected to bring in $81,500, the event would have featured the Gin Blossoms as headliners, with many premier…
Donations of goods, help keep our costs down and are immediately used in our facility, and to help homeless pets. Help us show our pets that wishes can come true! Donations can be brought to our Adoption Center at any time during business hours! Feel free to ask our reception staff if you would like…
We currently distribute 300 emergency department gift bags to Morton Plant Mease Countryside Hospital each month. However, to continue this during this pandemic, we need your help. For less than a coffee a day, you can be helping one family in the hospital every single week of the year. A $25 monthly donation allows us…
We are happy to announce that our resale shops are once again accepting donations. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the back entrances of all three locations. Although we are not open for shopping, please stay tuned as plans are evolving! To process donations in the safest…
Champions for Children offers virtual playgroups for kids, and the playgroups prove to be a valuable resource to parents as well. Check out the wonderful article on the Tampa Bay Times: https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2020/05/09/as-even-playgroups-go-virtual-its-often-the-parents-who-benefit-most/
MTC’s job training and certification programs are more critical than ever, as MTC clients will re-enter a hyper-competitive job market after the COVID-19 crisis has passed. In its April 10, 2020 report on the impact of COVID-19, the TampaBay Partnership stated that “individuals with a disability may present unique challenges for medical and emergency personnel,…
Veteran Tamara Newton has never been late on bills. But as one of the 6 million Americans who had to file for unemployment after being laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was unable to pay her rent, plus some of her other bills too. She was at her leasing office asking about a…
As spring break wrapped up for Antonio Garcia, the Army veteran looked forward to getting back to Fisher College in Boston to finish his sophomore year and move closer to his degree in business management. A wounded warrior who followed in a family tradition of military service, Garcia understands when things don’t go as planned.…
Sheila had never darkened the doors of a food pantry before. She never had the need. But, last month she was furloughed from her job and had yet to receive unemployment benefits. She hesitated to take something for nothing. We assured her that ECHO existed for neighbors exactly like her. The next week, as she…