Breakfast, bingo raises money, awareness for children at Bethune Park

By SHERRI LONON

Special to the News & Tribune

In a time when budget cuts are hitting Hillsborough County government agencies hard, the folks at Bethune Recreation Center have 100 extra hands, thanks to the volunteers at The Hope Fund.

The Sun City Center-based nonprofit agency assists children in the after-school and summer programs at the park by providing scholarships, in many cases, making it possible for them to attend. Its members also run a number of activities for the school-aged youngsters, including a running program, called Marathon Kids; a Junior Master Gardeners program; tutoring; mentoring and more.

"(Many of) the children are from low-income families," said Robi Jackson, tutoring coordinator for the nonprofit. "We raise money to help them pay for it."

The cost of after-school care through the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department recently increased to $360 to $1,098 a year per child. The county uses a sliding scale that depends on family income. Even before the increase, many of the children needed assistance to pay. Now most youngsters at the center are on scholarships, said Carla Miles, founder of The Hope Fund.

"If it weren't for them, our attendance would be very low," said Jose Martinez, senior recreation specialist and park director at Bethune Recreation Center. "We have been blessed to have Sun City Center so close."

Martinez said the group not only runs programs for the children's benefit and pays for scholarships, but it often provides other extras the county's budget doesn't cover. It helps fund field trips, special guest speakers at the park, has set up a computer lab and more.

"They have never turned me down," Martinez said.

The roots for the nonprofit were planted in 1995 when someone suggested Miles visit the park. Seeing the need for assistance, she began raising money to provide scholarships.

By 2000, Miles realized a formal nonprofit was required to keep up with the fund's activities. So, she enlisted more help and officially established the organization, which now boasts about 50 volunteer members who help out at the park and with fundraising efforts.

"We love kids and we like to see kids who are needy get helped," said Bruce Andersen, who heads up the Marathon Kids program and also tutors.

Children in the 5-year-old Marathon Kids run a mile a week for 26 weeks. In the past, runners have been given T-shirts, new sneakers and other incentives. This year, Andersen said, the event is a fundraiser for the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa.

Each child in the program is raising $1 per mile from sponsors in Sun City Center. During spring break, the children will travel to the hospital to meet veterans and share lunch. The money they raised will be donated to help patients pay for items in the commissary, Miles said.

Dubbed Project Share, the venture is meant to show the youngsters they can give back, Andersen said.

"Hopefully they'll learn how good it feels to give back," he said of the 50 children in the program.

The park isn't the only beneficiary of The Hope Fund's efforts. The Wimauma Senior Center at 5714 North St. also appreciates the efforts of the volunteer group. The center offers mentoring and tutoring programs and also has been pleased to let the Junior Master Gardeners work in its own garden area. The center and Bethune Park are on the same parcel of land.

"It's the intergenerational part of our program," said Gerry Randolph, senior recreation therapist. "It is a perfect thing to have in your senior center,"

The Hope Fund relies on donations and fundraisers to provide scholarships and pay for programs at the 5809 Edina St. park. Its upcoming Breakfast and Bingo event is a semiannual fundraiser held at Community Hall. It runs from 8:30 to 11 a.m. April 10. The cost is $6 for a large omelet, a bagel and cream cheese or a Danish pastry, orange juice, coffee or tea. After breakfast bingo costs more and includes prizes.

For information about The Hope Fund, volunteering or Breakfast and Bingo, call Miles at (813) 634-4268 or visit www.the-hope-fund.org.

BREAKFAST AND BINGO

WHAT: A semiannual fundraiser for The Hope Fund. The event features a $6 breakfast and after-meal bingo.

WHERE: Sun City Center's Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd.

WHEN: 8:30-11 a.m. April 10

INFORMATION: Carla Miles, (813) 634-4268