Bennett Ricks, volunteer administrator services chief for Pasco Country Fire Rescue was a guest at a recent coffee hour at Leisure Days RV Resort. He was presented with a check for $960 for the Volunteer Rescue fund. This is a yearly donation from the residents of the park.
Bennett explained the funds would go toward the purchase of equipment not made available by the county, and also for training of volunteers. He also will be sending someone to the park to demonstrate how to use the new AED located in the hall.
This is just one of the many ways the residents of Leisure Days reach out to their winter community.
For several years, Christmas baskets are set up in the hall. Each year, three families are selected to receive gifts purchased by the residents. The families receive toys, clothing, handmade items and food. Diane McMillan, coordinator for this project, said, “the parents really appreciate the gifts. There are always a lot of tears when they see what strangers have done for their families.”
The Busy Hands program has reached out to hundreds of people in the Zephyrhills area since it started in 2011. Residents of nursing homes, hospice, the pregnancy center, local schools, and many others, are the recipients of these handcrafted afghans and quilts, made through the Busy Hands program.
Tracy Thompson, volunteer manager for Gulfside Hospice and Pasco Palliative Care, said she is always hearing “how appreciative the residents and their families are – of receiving these beautiful works of art, and in fact are frequently moved to tears at the generosity of the Busy Hands. Thank you, thank you – your efforts are truly appreciated and make a big difference in people’s lives.”
Local schools, both elementary and secondary, are also being supported by the Leisure Days residents. Along with the hundreds of stocking hats that have been delivered to local schools, the residents support the Thomas Promise weekend backpack program in many ways.
The offering from the Sunday morning church service goes to the Zephyrhills High School Back Pack program.
The pregnancy center has also been a recipient of very generous gift.
The residents also purchase items for the backpack program. The food is delivered to the high school by Diane McMillan and Diane Deaton every two weeks. Diane said, “It is so little effort on our part (residents), but so important to the students; it means some go to bed less hungry.”
Another resident, Laurely Deans, learned that the high school had collected prom dresses for the students. Over the years, she has donated numerous prom dresses and added jewelry, shoes and matching ties for that special date.
Diane Vaughan, ABC Program coordinator and registrar of Zephyrhills High School, summed up the generosity of Leisure Days residents.
“Leisure Days RV Resort is a prime example that people really want to help, but they aren’t sure how. Once the residents knew about the plight of some of our financially struggling students and their families, they jumped right to help. Residents have donated money, food, clothing, handmade hats, scarves and afghans, all in an effort to help these students.
“By opening their hearts, the residents at Leisure Days RV Resort have made a significant difference in the lives of our students. I am in awe of their generosity.
“The donations provide much needed food to fill our weekend backpacks. The Thomas Promise Foundation provides food from their pantry for the weekend backpacks. Now that they are filling 1,000 backpacks a week, the pantry can use the assistance of the community.”
For more information about Thomas Promise, visit their website at TheThomasPromise.org.
By Anne Astles
Published March 18, 2015
