Happy Holidays from the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay!
IN THIS ISSUE
QUICK LINKS
A Gift of $20 to the Crisis Center Provides: 
25 items to help restock the Crisis Center food pantry. 

A Gift of $500 to the Crisis Center:
Helps an entire family with rent & utilities for one month.

A Gift of $1,000 to the Crisis Center Provides: 
Six trauma therapy sessions for a child and three for a parent.

 

Crisis Center Mission: 
The mission of the Crisis Center is to ensure that no one in our community has to face crisis alone.

  
Crisis Doesn't Take a Holiday
By Clara Reynolds, President & CEO 

I have to admit, I love holiday music!!! I have many favorites, but one of them is Andy William's classic "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year". This song paints an ideal picture of the season with images of people singing carols and roasting chestnuts over a cozy fire. While we all know that these idealistic holiday experiences portrayed in songs, television specials, and Norman Rockwell paintings aren't our reality, most of us still have fun decorating our homes, attending parties, sending holiday cards, and exchanging gifts. I like to think that the holidays are a temporary respite from the stress and concerns we experience throughout the year.

All of us know that people face trials and troubles regardless of the season and even during the "happiest season of all", there are people in our community who face some of the worst times of their lives. Wouldn't it be incredible if we could push a magic button and pause crisis and trauma for everyone during the few weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day?  Sadly, we all know this just isn't the case. I think this is part of the reason we try to be kinder, smile a little brighter, and act more charitable during the holidays. We want people who are struggling to know that they are not alone this time of year and to be reminded that they matter to us.... (READ MORE) 


Safe for the Holidays: Kristin's Story
 
Kristin paused to gather her thoughts and then bravely walked through the glass door marked "Family Stabilization". She was nervous and worried, but hoped this would finally be the beginning of a better life for her and her daughters, Jordan, age 13 and Ava, age 11. She walked up to the reception window and said "I have an appointment to see Kelly."

Just a few weeks earlier she had made one of the biggest decisions of her life. After suffering through years of physical abuse by her husband, she grabbed a few necessary items for her and her daughters, and escaped while he was away from home. She felt the only way to be safe was to have as much distance as possible between her and her husband, so she decided to move from North Carolina to Florida. She reached out to friends in Tampa who allowed her and her daughters to move in.... (READ MORE)  
KidsatTheCrisisCenter- MORE GOOD NEWS! -

Amazing Opportunity to Triple Your Impact!
 
Thanks to a generous challenge gift from Elizabeth & Tim Traud, your tax deductible end-of-year financial gift will be tripled!   

The Trauds will match every dollar donated with an additional $2 - up to $25,000 until midnight on December 31st! Your charitable donation will help Kristin and her daughters find peace and safety this holiday season.

Donate now or mail a check to:
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay 
14901 Crisis Center Plaza 
Tampa, FL 33613  


Providing Hope for the Holidays

Preparing to distribute
Holiday Giving Program gifts.
This is the time of year when the Wilcox Room at the Crisis Center is transformed into "Santa's Workshop". For the first 2 weeks of December, local businesses, civic groups and individuals deliver toys, games and gifts for seniors as part of the Crisis Center's Holiday Giving Program.

Many people who come to the Crisis Center for help have experienced financial difficulties, medical emergencies, or emotional trauma. The Holiday Giving Program is a way to do something special for these individuals and their families. Local businesses and civic groups obtain a list of holiday wishes, and then return to the Crisis Center a couple weeks later with a delivery of bicycles, coloring books, clothing, gift cards and an assortment of other gifts.

This year 18 organizations are participating in the program. Because of their commitment and generosity, over 800 gifts will be delivered to almost 400 people. Thanks to everyone who helped make the holidays a little merrier for people who are struggling this season! 

AAA-The Auto Club Group & The Crisis Center: Providing Travelers Aid at TIA
A couple visiting from Germany receives
help at the Travelers Aid desk.
 
This is the busiest time of the year at Tampa International Airport. Over 1 million people will visit TIA between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day as they travel across the country and around the world to enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

While the vast majority of these travelers will have a worry-free experience, there are going to be some unlucky individuals who experience unforeseen circumstances and emergencies while going through the airport.

Fortunately these stranded and severely inconvenienced travelers have help available to them. Through the support of AAA, the Crisis Center operates a Travelers Aid desk at TIA...(READ MORE)   

Celebrating Crisis Center Donors and Partners 

Clara Reynolds thanks donors
at the Holiday Celebration
Each year, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay receives financial support from individuals and organizations through a variety of giving programs, including the Sustainer Society, Corporate Partnership, Legacy Society, and Circle of Caring.

While the holidays are a time of giving, they're also a time when we pause and give thanks to those who make our world a happier and healthier place to live. In this spirit, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay hosts a Holiday Celebration to thank the people who support the organization's mission, "To ensure that no one in our community has to face crisis alone."

Over 100 Crisis Center supporters and partners attended this year's Holiday Celebration at the beautiful rooftop space, 220 West Seventh Avenue, along the Hillsborough River. Guests enjoyed hors-d'oeuvres and private cellar wines donated by John-Edward Alley & Beth Rutberg. CEO and President, Clara Reynolds, inspired the group of supporters with her remarks about the difference they make for people in crisis.

Special thanks to Prida Guida & Company for sponsoring this year's Holiday Celebration and to The Beck Group for allowing the Crisis Center to use their special event space. 

Crisis Center Donors Honored on National Philanthropy Day
 
On November 12th, the Suncoast Chapter of The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) hosted an awards luncheon at A La Carte Event Pavilion to highlight philanthropic accomplishments made in the Tampa Bay area. The awards coincide with National Philanthropy Day, a special day that pays tribute to the great contributions the philanthropic community makes in our community and in the world.

Two Crisis Center of Tampa Bay donors were honored at the 2015 awards. The Kraus family & Ella Bing Bow Ties were named Philanthropic Small Business of the Year, and Cornelia & Dick Corbett were named Philanthropists of the Year.

Congratulations to the Kraus family, and Cornelia & Dick on receiving this honor!

Events- TAKE A TOUR! -

   

Share Your Heart Tours 

Tuesday, January 5th (12pm-1pm)
Thursday, January 21st (12pm-1pm)
Thursday, February 4th (12pm-1pm)
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, One Crisis Center Plaza, Tampa, FL 33613

 

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay offers tours for people to learn more about the services we provide to the Tampa Bay community. See firsthand the difference we are making. Join us for a one-hour lunch and tour where you will meet with a board member, key staff and other interested community members.     

 

For more information and to register, click HERE