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Many Amigos Pitch In To Help

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2008

BRANDON - Carrie Bayer did not work or dine at the Don Pablo's restaurant on Brandon Boulevard, but since it closed Dec. 26, she has visited regularly.

The Parish woman was motivated to lend a hand to the three managers-turned-restaurateurs by an inspirational book she recently read. She said the book suggests contributing to the lives of others as an excellent way to enrich one's own life.

In addition to providing hands-on help cleaning and painting the place, Bayer made dozens of cold calls to local businesses she thought might be willing to donate products or services to help the restaurant's former employees get back to work.

When managers Joe Morales, Anthony Mundi and Andrew Purdy decided new upholstery might be in order, Bayer went through the phone book and called vinyl repair companies to see whether anyone would help. By coincidence, one of Bayer's calls was to Tim Boyle, owner of Professional Trim and Upholstery in Brandon, a Don Pablo's customer who has dined there a couple of times a month for the past seven years.

Boyle donated materials and time, reupholstering 100 chairs and eight booths at the restaurant. He said he would like to see one of his favorite restaurants reopen, and added, "My business is slow right now, so I have some free time. I thought I could help them out and keep myself busy."

Other businesses that contributed goods or services to the restaurant are Rocky Orihuela, ceramic tile contractor; Cabel Vildibill of Odiorne Insurance; Mary Anne Ferrell of Licensing Solutions; Dana Drake of Village Residences; Susan Hogan of Washington Mutual; Gerry Acevedo of Acevedo & Co.; lawyer Thomas Gallo; Brandon Lock & Safe; and Home Depot stores in Brandon and Valrico.

Laura Frazier

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