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2 Events Will Aid Library Attack Victim

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By KEITH MORELLI

The Tampa Tribune and KEVIN BRADY TBO.com

Published: August 12, 2008

TAMPA - Ruskin is pulling together for one of its own, a teenage girl severely beaten and unable to walk, breathe or swallow on her own.

At least two fundraisers were set for this week, one Monday night and one Saturday.

More than 400 people turned out for the Monday night fundraiser at the Ruskin Veterans of Foreign Wars post on U.S. 41. An overflowing parking lot had cars lined up along the highway before the doors opened at 4 p.m. Organizers needed a shuttle bus to handle the overflow crowd.

"I was surprised by the turnout and then again I am not," said Melanie Morrison, one of the event's main organizers. "I love the fact that she gave to the community and now we have a chance to give back to her."

Morrison, executive director of the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, and a few others established a fund to help defray long-term care costs for the 18-year-old East Bay High graduate who was raped and nearly beaten to death outside Bloomingdale Regional Public Library in April.

"She's progressing slowly, but she will need therapy for the rest of her life," said Chrissy Jokish, 18, a classmate and friend of the victim who visited her Saturday night. "That's why events like the fundraiser are important."

Morrison said the dinner was set for Monday because many of the teen's friends soon will leave for college and organizers wanted to include them.

"I just want to be here tonight to do what I can to support her," said Bryan Zemina, 21, who prayed with the victim at a prayer gathering two weeks ago. "She can't speak or see, but she's in there. She laughs, she cries, she smiles and she is fighting."

Elaine Hill drove from Sun City for the event, which featured a silent auction, entertainment and dinner.

"I don't know the girl but I still get emotional thinking about it. She was one of our own," Hill said.

A second fundraiser is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Valrico State Bank. The carwash is being organized by some of the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue firefighters and paramedics who responded to the call for help, said Carl Cash, organizer of the carwash and a former fire station volunteer.

Valrico State Bank is at U.S. 301 and Bloomingdale Avenue, Cash said.

Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies arrested Kendrick Morris, 16, and charged him with rape and aggravated battery of the teenager, who had stopped by the library to return books after hours. Morris remains in Orient Road Jail without bail.

Morrison said donations for the victim's family can be made at SunTrust banks to the Bloomingdale Library Attack Victim Fund.

For information, call Morrison at the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, (813) 645-3808.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com. Community producer Kevin Brady can be reached at (813) 545-8731 or kbrady@tbo.com.

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