Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 8-10-18

Features
Father, Son To Host Back To School Extravaganza
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Sunday, August 12th, a Tampa businessman and his son will host their Second An- nual Back To School Extra- vanza. It will take place from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m., at Bounce Boy Fun Factory, 5008 E. 10th Avenue, (corner of Columbus Drive and N. 50th Street), Tampa 33619.
Gary Onzy, owner of Bounce Boy said, “This year, my son, Gary, Jr., will co- host the event with me. We are prepared to give school sup- plies to 600 students in grades from kindergarten to 12th grade.”
Onzy said the event is more than just a giveaway. “This is not just a back to school event; it is a community event that will have something to benefit everyone who comes out.”
There will be haircuts available for boys, speakers, the Ice Cream Truck, and one of the invited guests will teach the kids how to play the drums.
He further stated that Cricket wireless will be on hand offering free phone acti- vations and phone accessories. Bounce Boy will also offer a 50% discount for a kid party.
GARY ONZY
... Owner of Bounce Boy
Others included in the event are Safe & Sound Hills- borough, the CDC of Tampa, Inc., Lee Mobile Game Truck, a group offering a Caribbean Dance Routine, a group of dancers from Jackson Heights, Q105 FM Radio Station, sev- eral vendors, and many others.
Onzy said, “This is not just an event where parents can pick up school supplies. There will be live entertainment, food, and activities for the chil- dren, such as face painting, balloon twisting, prizes, games, giveaways, and other activities. There will also be in- formation for adults.
“There will be all types of activities. I am doing this be- cause I realize the problem in
GARY ONZY, JR.
the community is the people are disconnected. I am provid- ing information and sharing knowledge. I want the adults to take something away with them that can help them and let them know what’s available to them.
“We are going to have peo- ple there who can provide in- formation about many things that people in the community can benefit from and learn about. We are inviting the community to come out and take advantage of this infor- mation,” he said.
Onzy also stated that all students must be accompanied by a parent or adult. For addi- tional information about the event contact Onzy at (813) 231-0582.
County To Hold Affordable Housing Open House
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Tuesday, August 14th, the Hillsborough County Af- fordable Housing Services will hold an Affordable Open House event. It is designed to give people information about housing and other commu- nity events.
It will take place at the Emanuel P. Johnson Recre- ation Center, 5855 S. 78th Street, (in Progress Village), from 10 a.m. until 12 noon.
Todd Pratt, Media Rela- tions for Hillsborough County said, “There will be agencies that help with financing, peo- ple that help find out if you’re eligible for financial assis- tance, people that help with credit counseling, and groups that help Veterans or those with special needs.
“Sometimes residents don’t need to move to find de- cent housing, they just need help fixing up their current homes. Officials will be at the summit with information about assistance for housing repairs,” he said.
Some of the not-for-profit organizations and partners of Hillsborough County will be in attendance are:
Members of the CDC of Tampa, Inc., Solita’s House, and the Housing & Education Alliance will be on hand to help with housing counseling.
The Housing Partners in- clude Housing Finance Au- thority of Hillsborough County (HFA); the Florida Home Partnership (FHP),
and Habitat for Humanity. Organizations offering Re- habilitation and Special Needs services slated to at- tend are The Centre for Women (CFW), Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay (RTTB),
and Self-Reliance.
Sunshine Line (HC) and
HART are the Transportation Partners participating in the Affordable Housing Event.
Consumer & Veterans Af- fairs (HC) will also have rep- resentatives on hand to provide assistance to Veter- ans.
The partners also include representatives from the Tampa Housing Authority, who will provide information on the topic, “Section 8 Rental To Home Ownership.”
Pratt further said, “Af- fordable housing is one of the most important issues facing residents, and Hillsborough County plans to make these affordable housing summit events a regular event. The County hopes to have the summits quarterly, and will have them in different parts of the County so everyone has an opportunity to attend.”
The event is free and open to the public. For more infor- mation, call the Affordable Housing Department at (813) 274-6628.
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