• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

New Tampa girl uses her talent to help others

January 4, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

 

Emma Skantze is not your typical philanthropist.

For one thing, she’s just 11 years old.

The New Tampa girl began raising money for Metropolitan Ministries three years ago by organizing an annual benefit concert at Family of Christ Church at 16190 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

She recalls how it all began.

“One day, I remember watching a TV show and there was this natural disaster and there were these people, I think it was professional singers and performers, and they were raising money for the people who had been damaged and needed new housing and stuff,” she said.

“We started talking about how everybody could do small things to make a difference,” recalled Stephanie Skantze, Emma’s mother.

“First, I figured we could do a bake sale.” Emma recalled. “My mom said, ‘Think of something that you’re really good at.’

“At that point, I was really good at piano. I decided to do a benefit concert. I named it ‘The Helping Hands,’ ” Emma said.

The event is a grassroots effort, Stephanie Skantze said, involving the help of young musicians, two piano teachers and Family of Christ Church.

The first year, Emma and other piano students of Paula Konicek performed and some of Emma’s friends sang, too.

The concert raised $350, which was matched by Emma’s family.

The second year, the concert included Konicek’s piano students, as well as piano students under the tutelage of teacher Mary Wendelken. Some of Emma’s friends sang at that concert, too.

That second concert took in $500 at the door, which Emma’s family matched. Verizon – where Emma’s dad, Johan works – matched their $500 contribution, bringing the grand total to $1,500.

This past year, a total of 21 performers, ranging from second-grade to college, were on the concert’s program.

“I had also been practicing violin, so I also did that,” the 11-year-old said.

Heather Tomasello’s daughter, Catie, was one of the performers. The 8-year-old performed two songs, including one she composed.

Tomasello said the concert gives performers a chance to exhibit their creative talents, while at the same time doing good for the greater community.

The third concert took in $750, matched by Emma’s family and by Verizon – adding up to a total of $2,250.

“People who come are usually interested in seeing a specific performer,” Stephanie Skantze said.

Organizing the concert requires a lot of work, Emma’s mom said, her eyes brimming with tears as she talked about her daughter’s commitment.

A concert date must be determined, a venue secured and performers lined up. Other details include making and distributing fliers and invitations, sending out emails, making telephone calls and so on.

“You’ve got a really long to-do list that you rework every year,” Stephanie Skantze said. “You learn a little bit every year. Emma has already started her planning for next year.” her mom said.

Emma said she wanted to help Metropolitan Ministries because it is an organization that helps people with true needs. It provides presents for poor families and offers temporary shelter for the homeless, she said.

The Terrace Community Middle School sixth-grader said she enjoys helping others. She thinks others involved with the concert enjoy helping, too.

Metropolitan Ministries is grateful for her efforts, said Angie Pattison, manager of community donations for the charitable organization.

“We are inspired by her. Her generosity and initiative is just incredible, especially in someone her age.

“This past holiday, we served over 25,000 families. Her gifts were part of that and made that possible.

“We’re just so honored that she chose to benefit our families,” Pattison said.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

New Community Garden Arrives at Del Webb Bexley 

March 28, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

Exciting things are happening at Del Webb Bexley, the 55+ active adult residential community just off Sunlake Boulevard, … [Read More...] about New Community Garden Arrives at Del Webb Bexley 

TPA-Parkview-Myrtle

Imagine More at Mattamy Homes’ Area Communities

March 28, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

With every new home community, Mattamy Homes demonstrates their dedication to thoughtful details and meaningful value … [Read More...] about Imagine More at Mattamy Homes’ Area Communities

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

04/01/2023 – Bunny Hop Eggstravaganza

The Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, will host a Bunny Hop Eggstravaganza on April 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be bounce houses, games, music, food trucks, and scheduled egg scrambles. The event will be at the outside football fields and basketball court. Registration is required to participate in the egg scrambles. The cost is $3 per child. Children ages 2 to 10 can register with their age division and time frame at Secure.rec1.com/FL/pasco-county-fl/catalog. For questions, call 813-929-1220. … [Read More...] about 04/01/2023 – Bunny Hop Eggstravaganza

04/01/2023 – Cacti and Things

Kessler’s Cacti and Things will host its annual Spring Plant Sale on April 1 and April 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, at Bearss Grove, 14316 Lake Magdalene Blvd., in Tampa. The event features thousands of plant varieties, and an assortment of specimen and collector’s plants. For information, email . For questions and directions, call 813-264-5614. … [Read More...] about 04/01/2023 – Cacti and Things

04/01/2023 – Dade City Art Walk

The Downtown Dade City Art Walk will take place April 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be more than 20 art locations for guests to meet the artists and shop local artwork, as well as a little Pre-Casso Exhibit for young aspiring artists. There will be an opening ceremony at 5 p.m., along with a map distribution, at Florida Cracker Lunch on Limoges. … [Read More...] about 04/01/2023 – Dade City Art Walk

04/01/2023 – Easter Bash

Hope City Church, 5513 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host an Easter Bash on April 1, for the whole family. Admission is free. For information, call 813-948-7555. … [Read More...] about 04/01/2023 – Easter Bash

04/01/2023 – Food Truck Festival

An International Food Truck Festival will take place on April 1 and April 2 at the Tampa Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive in Lutz, with more than 70 food trucks, tents and trailers, to benefit local charities. Admission is $5. For more information, call 727-674-1464. … [Read More...] about 04/01/2023 – Food Truck Festival

04/01/2023 – Historical Association

The Zephyrhills Historical Association will meet on April 1 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St. Participants can discover and discuss historical events, places and people of Zephyrhills and Pasco County. For information, call 813-780-0064. … [Read More...] about 04/01/2023 – Historical Association

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: