Celebrate Christmas in July to benefit Pediatric Cancer Patients

By Cierra Craft

Plant City businesses are inviting the community to celebrate the spirit of giving with Christmas in July, a toy drive benefiting pediatric cancer patients. Christmas in July is organized by No More Umbrellas. The non-profit organization offers financial support and resources to pediatric cancer patients and their families throughout Central Florida. The organization is led by Emily Pierce and her family in memory of her daughter Morgan Pierce, whose wish for the future was a world with only rainbows, no more rain, and ‘No More Umbrellas.’

The community is asked to drop-off new, unwrapped toys and items like gift cards to any drop off location between July 1 and July 28. A full list of drop off locations can be found on Facebook at @nomoreumbrellas or on their website at nomoreumbrellas.org.

The toys will be delivered to pediatric cancer patients at All Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, and Tampa General Hospital. Often organizations like No More Umbrellas receive a lot of giving during the Christmas season, but the hospital’s social workers expressed a need for new toys this time of year.

“it is difficult to put into words how the Plant City area, and the Downtown Plant City community have supported our family’s mission to help local kids with cancer. Anytime I present a need these folks show up, and in a big way!” said Emily Pierce. “I am overwhelmed, and deeply grateful for [the business’s] contributions in the past, and now with this Christmas in July event. No More Umbrellas is proud to be from Plant City!”

For more information on No More Umbrellas or the Christmas in July Toy Drive, contact Emily Pierce at emily@nomoreumbrellas.org

PLANT CITY PERSONALITIES!

CAN YOU GUESS WHO THIS IS?

HERE IS YOUR CLUE:

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Hi-Yo Silver! It’s this month’s Plant City Personality!

This adorable little Nino was born in McAllen, Texas and moved to our fair city as an infant. As a child, he was taken with Transformers, Marvel Comics, and you guessed it…The Lone Ranger. By Elementary school age, he could be found singing in his church choir. In fact, it was discovered by accident, that this little Cowboy was indeed a MUSICAL VIRTUOSO! He learned to play the guitar and other instruments with the speed of light. His father, who was a musician himself, simply handed him a microphone and BOOM!!! He blew the audience away with his beautiful voice and perfect pitch. At age 15, he was the Lead Vocalist of his very own band. By popular demand, he and his band mates enjoyed much travel filling many bookings and musical obligations. Oh! Just another little tidbit about this person…EDUCATION is of the UTMOST Importance!. So important, that after graduation from PCHS, he actually earned not one, but two degrees from USF. A Degree in Marketing and a Degree in Business Management. These days, our P.C. Personality is a proud father who enjoys fishing and coaching soccer. WELL……..Any guesses as to who this person is???? Here is another hint, Our Personality of the Month really is like the Lone Ranger!!! He has become a Well Respected and hard working Entrepreneur in our city and well within the Latino Community.

IF

813-707-8783

The first 3 people to guess the correct person will win a PRIZE!!!!

(The TRUE identity will be given in next month’s FOCUS Magazine)