Westchase Charitable Foundation Helps Families in Need

Recently the Westchase Charitable Foundation (formerly the Westchase Community Foundation) helped several families in need. When Suzanne Mininno heard the difficult news that her niece, Adriana, was diagnosed with medullablastoma brain tumor and the family had no health insurance, she immediately reached out to Steve Brunk, one of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Steve quickly brought the news to the entire board asking for help. Within only a few days, the board was able to provide a donation to the family in the amount of $5,000.

“We’re delighted to help the Mininno family defray their portion of Adriana’s medical care. That’s exactly the mission of the Westchase Charitable Foundation -- helping families through their financial crisis as a result of a critically ill family member or a family tragedy. We couldn’t be happier that Suzanne reached out to us for help,” said Sean O’Donnell, President of the Westchase Charitable Foundation.

Jim and Amber Mininno, Adriana’s parents, said this all began with her complaining about headaches and then other complications followed. Shortly thereafter, Adriana was diagnosed and the tumor removed. She now faces several weeks of radiation, five times a week, and an entire year of chemotherapy. If you’d like to help the family, please call Adriana’s father Jim at 813-361-2128 or jimmininno@hotmail.com or you can make a donation to the Adriana Mininno fund at any SunTrust bank.

The Foundation also recently made a donation to The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay in the amount of $1,000. When one of our board members, who is also an Ambassador for the Crisis Center, heard that they were in desperate need of financial help to get them through the remainder of 2009, the Foundation stepped up and helped. 

“When board members Ronda Woble, Todd Marks, and myself delivered the check to the Crisis Center, we were immediately made aware by David Braughton (President & CEO of the Crisis Center) how the funds would be disbursed,” said Ahmed Bhutta, Treasurer of the Westchase Charitable Foundation. “ Mr. Braughton said that the donation would allow two families to stay in their homes through Christmas; which means a few children will wake up in their own bed Christmas morning rather than being homeless or at a shelter,” Bhutta added. For more information on the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, go to www.crisiscenter.com

The Westchase Charitable Foundation is hosting the annual Westchase Cup Golf Outing on Saturday, April 10 at Westchase Golf Course. Great sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, call Sean O’Donnell at 813-777-1776. Please join the Foundation on Facebook or find more information on this site.