Tampa Bay Residents Support Charitable Causes on May 18
Helping Hands will reach out this memorial day weekend in Destination Tampa Bay. Four different charity events are scheduled for the Tampa Bay area on Saturday, May 18. The Tunnel to Towers Tampa Tower Climb and the Carry the Load Tampa will raise funds for first responders and military, while the Run for All Children will help support the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Last but not least is the SeaGrapes Wine and Food event, the signature fundraiser for the Tampa Aquarium.
The Tunnel to Towers Helping Hands event will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. at 201 N. Franklin St. in Tampa as a celebration of Armed Forces Day. It will honor the sacrifice of Stephen Siller, a first responder who lost his life during the 9-11 incident in New York City. A special local hero will be honored, and funds raised will help the charity’s efforts to provide mortgage-free homes for the families of first responders and military who have lost their lives or become severely disabled in the line of duty.
The Carry the Load Tampa Rally Helping Hands will be a5K walk to show support for our military, veterans, first-responders and their families. Military, fire and police units, as well as veteran organizations, scout troops, ROTC/JOTC attendance is encouraged. We encourage everyone to bring something to carry, whether it be a backpack, rucksack, picture or memento that is symbolic of the personal story behind who you are carrying. To register, visit CarryTheLoad.org/TampaRally.
The 5th Annual Run for All Children, Helping Hands benefiting Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, will be held from 7 to 11 a.m. The starting line for the 10K, 5K, and 1-mile fun run will be in front of the hospital at 501 6th Ave, S in St. Petersburg and will end at Poynter Park in downtown St. Petersburg, where there will be a post-race celebration and award ceremony. For more information, visit the race webpage or contact the Foundation at 727-767-4199.
The SeaGrapes wine and food event features more than 100 types of wine and delicious foods from numerous Tampa restaurants. 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket purchases support the Helping Hands Aquarium’s mission, including endangered species conservation programs. Enjoy an unlimited wine and food experience complete with live entertainment while strolling among the Aquarium’s 8,000+ animals and plants.. For more information, visit www.flaquarium.org/seagrapes. (Photo above courtesy of the Florida Aquarium.)