Paul Gigante is hoping for a gigantic 50th birthday bash, but the party won’t be merely to celebrate him turning a half-century – it also will benefit homeless high school graduates who are college-bound.
Gigante, who earns his living through his school photography business, said he became aware of the plight of homeless students through his wife’s involvement in Wharton High School’s Parent Teacher Association.
“Our kids are in college now. But, it was brought to my attention a few years ago that there were over 14 homeless high schoolers at Wharton High School,” he said. “It has bothered me for the past number of years.”
Over time, he learned more about the problem, and he decided he would use his 50th birthday party to try to do something to help.
“In Pasco alone, there are 78 homeless high school seniors,” he said.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
“There are so many levels of homelessness. They could be kicked out of their house. A parent or two parents could be in jail. They could have been abandoned by their parents,” he said.
“There are so many scenarios. They’re living in a car. Or, they’re bouncing from apartment to apartment, staying on friends’ couches. There’s many, many scenarios.
“I don’t need to know all of the scenarios. I just want to know what it is that I can do to help them,” Gigante said.
To make that happen, he enlisted the help of his staff and his friends to organize a fun way to raise money.
The benefit will be on Jan. 24, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road in Tampa.
“My goal is $50,000 for my 50th birthday,” Gigante said.
“I’ve assembled three bands, four DJs — and I’m a DJ myself. So, at the end of the entire event, I’m going to be DJ’ing,” he said.
He’s hoping for a big turnout.
“We have a lineup that’s really fun. It’s going to be nonstop entertainment.
“I start off with the USF “Hot” Band. They’re going to have about 30 members there,” he said, noting the band has waived its appearance fee.
Gigante also has the Butch Ryan Band, which is made up of a bunch of band directors from Wharton; they’re going to do classic rock.
“We’re going to have about 20 baskets, everything from pampered chef theme to sports themed to wine theme to IPA beer. There’s going to be a whole bunch of different things,” he said.
Instead of holding a silent auction, he’ll be selling tickets for drawings to see who wins the baskets.
“I’ve invited all of the krewes (of Gasparilla) because I’m part of the krewe life,” he said.
He also has talked to the principals at the 35 to 40 schools where he shoots school photographs, encouraging them to spread the word.
After the party, Gigante plans to accompany a social worker to meet with homeless students who are college-bound to find out how he can help them.
“I could buy shoes. I could buy computers. I could give them out to everyone. But, what if they don’t need that? What if they need rent for 2 ½ months? What if they need food? What if they need clothes? What if they need a laptop? What if they need books?”
He wants to address specific needs.
“I want to make sure that from when they graduate until they start college, they don’t fall off the boat,” Gigante said.
He’s not sure how many students he’ll be able to help, or how much he’ll be able to provide.
He’s going to start with the schools served by his photography business.
In Pasco, those are Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch, Mitchell, Anclote and River Ridge high schools. In Hillsborough, they are Wharton, Jesuit and Steinbrenner high schools.
“This is a one-time deal for me,” said Gigante, who lives in Hunter’s Green.
“It’d be great, if everyone, when they turned 50, would decide to do something like this,” Gigante said.
Homeless benefit
What: Paul Gigante’s 50th birthday bash, including DJs, bands, raffles and 50/50.
Why: To benefit college-bound homeless graduates from Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
Where: Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road in Tampa.
When: Jan. 24 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
How much: Cover charge is a suggested $10 donation, plus a birthday card for Paul Gigante.
For information, contact Paul Gigante at (813) 340-4080.
Published January 13, 2016
