Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 11-28-17

Local
Mom Of Toddler With Sickle Cell Forms Organization To Help Families
Cameron Pate and mom, Latalya Daniels.
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Organization formed 4 months ago
When Ms. Latalya Daniels learned that her son, Cameron Pate, had Sickle Cell Anemia, she was devastated. By the time he turned 6 months old they had begun their back-and-forth trek to the hospital on a reg- ular basis, “every other week it seems,” she says. “Holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s found us at the hospital.”
Ms. Daniels, who is a carrier of the trait, soon found out what it’s like to have the disease. “It’s “a life- long battle of health prob- lems, such as pain crisis, infections, blood transfu- sions, stroke and possibly death,” she explains.
“In addition to having a devastating effect on the child, it also takes a toll on the whole family,” the former licensed childcare provider for the military further stated.
“I was working at MacDill Air Force Base, going to school (studying for an AS degree in Early Childhood) and taking care of a family.
Without support, it was very difficult. I felt alone. That’s when I realized I needed to do something to help families who don’t have support,” she explained. She still has that same busy schedule.
That’s the reason the di- vorced mother of 5 (ages 15 to 3 years old) established En- hance The Chance, a 501c3 organization that she founded and became certified 4 months ago. She is the CEO. Three others join her as members of the Board of Di- rectors: Ketasha Smith, Johvonna Mann and Cierra Strother.
“The focus of this organi- zation is the children. With this organization, no one will have to fight alone; we can stand together,” she said.
The organization is open for donations to help make a difference in the lives of chil- dren with Sickle Cell Anemia and their families. Make tax- deductible donations at en- hancethechance.org, or on facebook at Enhance The Chance.
Today, Tuesday, Novem- ber 28, 2017 is “Giving Tues- day,” where nationwide individuals are encouraged to give to their favorite charita- ble organization.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Foundation Selects Co-Chairs For Gala
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Foundation has selected Honorary Co- Chairpersons for its 2nd An- nual Fundraising Dinner and Gala. Mrs. Sherryl J. Cusseaux is the gala chair- person for the 2nd year.
Hillsborough County School Board Vice Chairper- son, Ms. Tamara Sham- burger, and Bob Conigliaro, Vice President of Community Relations, Caspers Company, McDon- ald’s Restaurants, have been selected as Honorary Co- Chairpersons.
The gala will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2018, 6 p. m. at TPepin Hospitality Centre, 4121 N. 50th St., Tampa 33610.
The following Monday, January 15, 2018, the 29th Annual MLK Parade will be held in East Tampa, with its route beginning at Cuscaden Park and ending at 22nd St. and Osborne Ave.
“Adding the gala compo- nent was a longtime dream of mine,” stated Robert Scott, Foundation President. “We needed the gala to further foster opportunities to fund the Foundation’s three pri- mary initiatives – awarding scholarships to high school seniors, honoring commu- nity heroes and sponsoring the MLK Year of Service pro- grams.
“Moreover, and based on the success of last year’s gala, our corporate community partners and guests agreed. We were very appreciative of the wholehearted support we received from the Tampa community,” he concluded.
Mrs. Gwen Myers is the Scholarship Chairperson and Ms. Amber Smith is Chair for MLK Year of Serv- ice.
The inaugural gala lead- ing up to the 28th Annual MLK Day Parade, “exceeded all expectations,” stated Mrs. Cusseaux. The event honored Drum Majors For Justice in the persons of Atty. Arthenia Joyner, Rev. Dr. W. James Fa- vorite, Atty. Delano Stewart and Dr. Samuel L. Wright, Sr. The scholar- ship recipients were: Anta-
Committee members: seated from left, Gwen Myers, Doris Scott, Sherryl Cusseaux, Ingrid D. Young and Linda Adejumo. Standing, Jason Scott, Robert Scott, Howard Harris and Bob Conigliaro.
Seated from left: Marilyn J. Johnson, Orlando Gudes and Vale- ria Cook. Standing, Amber Smith, Barbara Jackson, Sherryl Cusseaux and Ursule Martin. Committee members not shown: Jean Collins, Valerie Daniels, Gwen Miller and Ricc Rollins.
nia Dixon, Cregory Boatwright and Cordell Issom.
The 2017 Parade Grand Marshals were citizens Gwen Hayes, Editor, Florida Sentinel Bulletin, Derrick Brooks, #55 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Founder/CEO Derrick Brooks Charities, and a rep- resentative from each Branch of the military.
The Foundation Commit- tee is reaching out to the
community businesses, cor- porations and individuals for sponsorship. Volunteers are also needed in a number of capacities.
For more information on volunteering, sponsorship, scholarship contributions, gala tickets or the parade, please contact Mrs. Cusseaux at (813) 789- 9658, the Parade Foundation at (813) 327-8316, or visit the website at www.mlkjrpa- rade.com.
GALA HONORARY CHAIRPERSONS
MS. TAMARA SHAMBURGER BOB CONIGILARO
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017