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Group Helps Those In Need

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2007

LITHIA - She was consistently first in line with a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand or a hot meal whenever someone was in need.

Rhonda Wills of Lithia simply wasn't used to being on the receiving end.

"We were always the givers," she said.

So, in the months after her husband, Patrick, was diagnosed with leukemia March 24, 2006, and friends and family offered help, she would tell them they were doing just fine.

In truth, the Wills' world was falling apart.

Patrick Wills wasn't able to work, and Rhonda Wills could work as a real estate agent only sporadically, negotiating deals from her husband's hospital room when she wasn't running back home to care for the couple's three sons, Tyler, 10, Hunter, 7, and Keller, 3. Following a bone marrow transplant, Patrick Wills lost 75 pounds in 2 1/2 months. It was Rhonda Wills' job to change his IVs, keep track of his 40 medications and somehow run the household.

"It's every second of the day," she said. "There's so much you have to organize, to juggle. You go crazy."

Then there was a knock on her door. Members of the Greater Brandon Community Foundation had learned of the Wills' problems and came to see how they could help.

"They were a huge godsend. What they did for us was just phenomenal," Wills said. "You feel so humble. I don't know how to begin to repay them."

Longtime Brandon residents Anne Nymark and Arlene Waldron started the foundation as a way to raise money for Brandon's struggling charities. The foundation hosts a Charity Golf Classic each year to build an endowment that provides grants to area nonprofit organizations.

The foundation also formed the Foundation Angels program, a database of businesses and individuals who volunteer time or services to families battling cancer and other medical crises. This program is funded by an annual Evening of Hope, the second of which will be held starting at 6 p.m. at the Palmetto Club in Lithia.

"These angels are truly, truly amazing," Rhonda Wills said. "People came from all over to help."

Among them were Terri and Chuck Long of Ice Pro Mechanical. The Willses' air-conditioning system was on the fritz, and Rhonda Wills had called several companies to see about repairing it.

"But they all wanted to replace it," she said. "The foundation sent Terri and Chuck over, and they fixed it at no cost."

Another angel, Chris Trotti, manager of Autoway Nissan, came to the rescue when the daily trips to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute began taking their toll on the Willses' car. Trotti repaired the car, which had 108,000 miles on it, and then helped her purchase a new one.

Although Patrick Wills lost his battle against leukemia this year, Rhonda Wills said she feels blessed.

"Cancer is the best and worst thing that can ever happen to you. It gives you such a sense of love and understanding of life and what really matters," she said.

"Patrick and I both grew so much," she said. "You get to see how good people can be."

Now Wills plans to reciprocate by becoming a foundation angel herself. She also has volunteered to be events chairwoman for the American Cancer Society's FishHawk Ranch Relay for Life.

"I'm so happy they created this organization," she said. "It's the only organization of its type I'm aware of. And it's so needed, not only for those who are helped, but for those who are helping."

The focus of last year's Evening of Hope was cancer. But Nymark said this year's emphasis is on another major killer in the United States: heart disease. Randy Poindexter, a longtime Brandon resident and Hillsborough County school administrator who retired in 2004 following heart problems, will be the keynote speaker.

WQYK FM 99.5 radio disc jockeys Chad Brock and Veronica Young will serve as masters of ceremony. Silent and live auctions will be held for items that will include a guitar signed by Brock and Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Mike Alstott, a Lake Tahoe trip, an extreme home makeover with house painting and home staging and a script signed by the cast of the "Sopranos."

Guests also will see a video featuring foundation angel recipients, an interpretive dance performance by Joshua Generation and testimonials from two families who benefited from the Foundation Angel Program. The FishHawk Ranch Outback Steakhouse will provide a full meal.

The Foundation Angels database has 60 individuals or businesses who have helped 21 families.

"It's not always about writing a check," Nymark said. "Many people get joy out of serving others. People want to help, and, by not letting them help, you're depriving them of a blessing. I think the angels feel more blessed than the recipients.

"By the same token," she added, "there's nothing like the human touch, knowing that you're cared about in your time of need. I believe Pat knew this community would be there for his family and that God had provided for them through us. I believe we're opening doors and building bridges. Hopefully, one day we'll be a model for other cities."

Tickets are $75 or $1,000 for a table of eight. The foundation is seeking sponsors and items for the silent and live auctions. Call foundation Executive Director Liz Brewer at (813) 661-8683. To order tickets, visit www.brandon foundation.org.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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