The 22nd Annual Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest program encourages customers to support local non-profit groups in Florida. This can be done by dining at one of the Columbia Restaurant locations during the entire month of September for lunch or dinner.
The Columbia restaurant will donate 5 percent of all September lunch and dinner checks to the non-profit organizations. Each guest can mark next to a charitable organization on the list and then give it to the server. Columbia Restaurant then donates the 5 percent of the bill to the charity chosen.
In the last 21 years, $2.4 million has been donated to non-profit organizations throughout Florida because of the Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest. The program began in 1998 as a way to help non-profit organizations that are important to the community.
The Columbia Restaurant was originally founded in Tampa’s Historic Ybor City in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., it is now Florida’s oldest restaurant.
All Columbia Restaurant locations are owned and operated by 4th and 5th generation members of the founding family. The only exception is the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport, this location is operated in partnership with HMSHost.
One organization on the ballet will be Wheelchairs 4 Kids, they will only be listed on the ballot for the Clearwater Columbia Restaurant location.
Many children are living with physical disabilities and require a wheelchair. Children typically outgrow their wheelchairs before government or insurance programs will allow for a replacement. Leaving children in a wheelchair that is too small, in disrepair, or that does not fit the needs of the child.
It is unsafe for children to be in a wheelchair that does not adequately meet their needs, it can impact their health in serious ways including scoliosis, respiratory problems, and pressure sores.
There are families that are faced with attempting to care for their special needs children in homes that are not modified to meet their specific needs. It would be unbearable to lift a teenager in and out of bed or a bathtub without an assistive device or a modified bathroom.
The name may say Wheelchairs 4 Kids, but they are doing so much more, they are addressing a much-neglected need and being part of a solution.
This organization is dedicated to improving the lives of children with physical disabilities. Wheelchairs 4 Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based out of Tarpon Springs, Florida.
The children and families that benefit from Wheelchairs 4 Kids have shared testimonies of the positive impact of this organization. A wheelchair may not seem like a huge impact for some, but for these kids, it gives them the strength and confidence they deserve in life.
Customers dining at the Columbia Clearwater Beach location during September will be provided a ballot listing the names of several deserving non-profit organizations. Wheelchairs 4 Kids has been chosen as one of the groups to be listed on the ballots given out at lunch and dinner.
The donations are from Columbia Restaurant, the guests do not spend any additional money for this donation.
Wheelchairs 4 kids actively engage with the community for sponsorship. Below are some of the ways members of society can help this organization improve the lives of children.
The best golf tournament in the Tampa Bay area is the Kimberly Knorr Memorial Celebrity Golf Tournament, it was held on January 24th, 2019 at the Cypress Run Golf Club.
Participants had a chance to golf with some of their favorite sports stars and support Wheelchairs 4 Kids. The best way to enjoy life is to make someone else’s life better and that’s what this golf tournament is all about.
The annual Jail and Bail allows local businesses to raise money by being labeled as “felons” and putting themselves in “jail”, raising enough money to “bail” themselves out.
Terald Hopkins is the general manager of Ed Morse Cadillac in Brandon and has been a supporter of this charity of a long time.
Another “felon” is our local radio host from Wild 94.1, Joey Franchize, he supports Wheelchairs 4 Kids along with the Bearded Brothers Band.
Elite Insurance Partners and MedicareFAQ are proud sponsors of their event, Wheely Good Time. This event will be held on November 23, 2019, at Ruth Eckerd Hall and will be hosted by Fox 13 news anchor Mark Wilson.
If you can’t make it to the Ruth Eckerd Hall event, there will be a silent auction with mobile bidding, this will allow you to bid right from your phone.
The Wheelchairs 4 Kids organization created Guardians of the Wheel Kids Club as a way for community members to make a small monthly donation that will improve the lives of these physically disabled children.
Monthly donations help contribute to much needed assistive equipment, wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications for children. When you join you receive a quarterly newsletter that will keep you updated on the children.
You will also get a yearly calendar that features pictures of all the children you helped.
No matter what your schedule or your wallet looks like there is a way to help. By supporting this cause you will help children reach their highest physical potential.
You‘ll be helping them gain independence, which will allow them to join in everyday activities with their friends.
Ways You Can Help:
- Volunteer
- Visit their webpage
- Like their Facebook page
- Follow them on Twitter
- Hold a fundraiser
- Make a donation
- Donate a car, boat or RV
- Send them your scrap gold
- Conduct a collection at your work
Wheelchairs 4 Kids is making strides to help improve our community, you can be a part of the cause by visiting their website and joining their Guardians of the Wheel Kids Club, signing up for one of their upcoming fundraising events or by donating. When you follow them on Facebook and Twitter, make sure to invite your friends to join you!
