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Painter Named Angel Of Year

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 28, 2007

Updated: 11/26/2007 06:22 pm

LITHIA - He said he's certainly not ready to sprout wings, and he can hardly be described as angelic.

Nevertheless, Rob Silver modestly accepted the honor of being the first Foundation Angel of the Year recipient at the second annual Greater Brandon Community Foundation Evening of Hope on Nov. 17 at the Palmetto Club for his contributions to the program.

The Riverview resident said he was a bit surprised to be recognized for doing something he enjoyed.

Silver, owner of Dynamic Painting in Riverview, learned about the foundation a couple of years ago when his wife, Sharon, became involved.

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 the charities.

The organization also sponsors the Foundation Angel Program, a database of businesses and individuals who volunteer time or services to families facing medical crises or catastrophes.

The program is funded and showcased at the annual Evening of Hope, during which residents meet families who have benefited and "angels" who have donated goods or services.

Rob Silver attended the first Evening of Hope with his wife last year and left the banquet forever changed.

"I didn't hesitate to sign up to be an angel," he said. "It was a beautiful evening. The stories were so inspiring. I've always wanted to be able to volunteer and, now that I have my own business, I can afford to take time off to do things for others."

The foundation board promptly called on Silver, an admitted jack-of-all-trades.

Anissa Mayhew of Brandon, mother of 3-year-old Peyton, who is fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia, had a special request. The wooden deck on the back of the Mayhew home, where Peyton rides her trike and plays while her mother keeps watch from the kitchen, deteriorated and became unsafe.

Silver spent three days working beside Peyton's father, Pete, replacing the deck with donated wood and serving as a handyman on various projects in the house, such as fixing a bathroom window.

"He didn't just come and build the deck," Anissa Mayhew said. "He came and spent time with us - both he and his wife. It wasn't just about wood and nails."

"We're of the same generation, and we had a lot in common," Silver said of Pete and Anissa Mayhew. "We became friends."

A similar bond developed between Silver and Doug Tate of Valrico, one Tate says he treasures.

Foundation members got to know the Tate family when Doug's wife, Kindra, 39, was diagnosed with a rare and virulent form of cancer.

"She touched my heart," said foundation volunteer Chad Brock, a WQYK, 99.5 FM, disc jockey and country music recording artist. "Nine months later, when we lost her, ... my heart was heavy. It was so, so sad to see a family go through something like that. But Doug was like an oak. I've never come across a man that strong in my life. And I've never seen so much love."

Brock also was astounded by the way the community came together to help the Tate family.

Before Kindra Tate became ill, the Tates planned to paint their home. They had picked out the paint, but "little things like landscaping and home improvements don't mean a lot anymore when you're facing something like cancer," Doug Tate said.

Kindra Tate, however, mentioned that she would still like to have the house painted. Rob Silver stepped up. And when the family's air conditioner was on the fritz, two more Foundation Angels, Chuck and Terri Long of Ice Pro Mechanical in Valrico, came forward to help.

Sharon Silver took the Tate's teenage daughter, Krysta, and her friends on a shopping spree, courtesy of Westfield Brandon mall.

"It was a beautiful thing," Doug Tate said. "They did it in such a way that you didn't feel like you were getting charity."

The Tates were among three families the Longs helped last year. In all, the foundation has assisted 20 families since the last Evening of Hope.

"We were blessed in their humility and appreciation," Terri Long said. "We support this program because we love and care about people."

Silver was among 60 individuals and businesses that registered as Foundation Angels last year. Forty more signed up at the Evening of Hope.

"Rob stood out because he went above and beyond the call of duty," said foundation Executive Director Liz Brewer. "He's always so willing to help us. He's a true model of what this program is all about."

The foundation is seeking more angels, as well as Brandon area families in need of assistance. Foundation Angels can offer a variety of services, including lawn care, gift certificates to restaurants, rides to doctor appointments, haircuts, companionship, meals, babysitting, dry cleaning or laundry services and car repairs. Foundation Angels receive decals they can display or be listed anonymously.

To register, visit the foundation Web site at www. brandonfoundation.org.

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

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