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Tampa Treasure Hunt To Benefit LifePath Hospice

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By LAURA FRAZIER

lfrazier@tampatrib.com

Published: October 20, 2008

TAMPA - Ray Kitchens, who died a year ago from an aggressive, fatal form of dementia, always loved the outdoors and a good adventure.

So the Oldsmar resident's family has organized a treasure hunt to mark the anniversary of his death and raise money for the organization they said helped ease his passing.

His daughter, Sherrie St. James-Bastien, said LifePath Hospice enabled her father to die with dignity and offered much-needed counseling after his death for the grief-stricken family. She organized the Ray Kitchens Memorial Pirate Treasure Run to benefit the hospice, which has inpatient facilities and resource centers throughout Hillsborough County.

"They provided my father with such loving care, and they never turn away people who can't afford the services," she said.

The fundraiser will kick off at 8 a.m. Nov. 1 at The Creative Native Gallery, 5307 N. Falkenburg Road. Participants are invited to dress as pirates and will receive a treasure map to a half-dozen or more checkpoints.

At each stop, players will participate in activities and collect tickets and coins for prize drawings to be held at the final destination, Quaker Steak & Lube in Clearwater, where there will be food, drinks, live entertainment and an arts-and-crafts show.

Kitchens' daughter Rhonda said motorcycle groups and pirate krewes will participate, but the run is open to everyone.

For information or to register for the Treasure Run, e-mail Sherrie St. James-Bastien at scubadiva1@aol.com or call (813) 774-9785.

For sponsorship, checkpoint or donation information, call Rhonda Kitchens at (941) 704-7558.

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