Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
The Red Cross Angels Tampa Bay chapter is hosting a Silver Coffee hope to raise at least $50,000 to help local military families. TAMPA, FL — The Red Cross Angels Tampa Bay chapter will host its annual signature fundraiser, a Silver Coffee, on Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Tampa. All funds raised at the event will benefit the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces division. “It’s basically an event where people come together to socialize and also celebrate the services to the Armed Forces program,” Leslie Jennewein, the chapter’s president, told Patch. “It’s not just a morning of hospitality, it’s about carrying forward a message of service.” The local chapter is especially important given the Tampa Bay area’s connection to the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, she added. The event will feature finger foods, including tea sandwiches, mini scones, tarragon chicken croissants, provided by Sally Cook of Cook’s Kitchen. It will take place at a South Tampa home with a view of Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club. The fundraiser dates back to 1982, when Beverly Austin created the chapter and hosted the first Silver Coffee in her South Tampa home, where 200 women became charter members. “The event has been going on ever since, except for, I think, one or two years where we didn’t have it; one being COVID,” Jennewein said. The Red Cross Service to Armed Forces serves military personnel — including active duty, National Guard and Reserve, and veterans — as well as their families, according to the nonprofit’s website. This includes emergency services, such as helping service members with returning home for family emergencies and financial assistance. Red Cross volunteers and employees also work with military and Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics. The organization also helps families cope with a military lifestyle through various community programs, including mental health, preparedness, and health and safety courses, health-care job certification training, and volunteer, networking, and support opportunities. “They help build strong families and resilient communities,” Jennewein said. All money raised at Wednesday’s fundraiser helps military families in the Tampa Bay area. The group hopes to raise between $50,000 and $75,000. “It definitely augments the local [Red Cross] budget. They really appreciate it,” she said. “More than ever they need the support financially. They’ve taken a hit, as far as budgets go.” The Red Cross Angels local chapter also works on projects throughout the year, Jennewein added. This includes its Bundles for Babies initiative that provides supplies to young military families, baking cookies to soldiers at MacDill, sending cars to soldiers serving overseas, and Holiday for Heroes, where they collect items to fill stockings delivered to soldiers overseas or veterans in hospitals and nursing homes. “One simple holiday card brightens their day,” she said. “Even if it’s just a small thing, it shows our appreciation and tells them they’re not forgotten.” There is a minimum donation of $50 to attend Wednesday’s Silver Coffee. Those interested in the event or donating to the organization should email redcrossangels@gmail.com.
