I have known the founder, Beth, for a little over 3 years now, and I have never met a more generous and caring person than she is...except maybe her husband, Ray, who is by her side through it all. She works tirelessly day and night to find ways to provide for people who cannot provide for themselves, no matter what their circumstances are. If they are sick, she helps them get treatment. If they are hungry, she feeds them. If they are dirty, she finds a place for them to get clean. If they are cold, she blankets them. If they are just
lonely, or feel alone, she gives them her time and friendship. If they have a chance to work, but no way to get there, she makes sure they arrive on time. She is so selfless that it brings tears to my eyes.
Beth and her husband go above and beyond, and have even been known to provide special items that are needed, like bicycles to get to and from work, or steel-toed boots to work construction. When it was so cold this winter, she spent the day making huge pots of soup, filling Styrofoam cops with lids, and handed them out that night. During Christmas week, a homeless man mentioned that all he would ask for Christmas would be to sleep on a bed once again, because it had been so many years that he couldn't remember what it felt like...so Beth paid for a hotel room for Christmas eve, Christmas day, and they day after, and handed him the key.
When I first met Beth, I jokingly asked her "Why did you call your organization 'Blanket Tampa Bay'? Who really needs a blanket in Florida?"
Beth just smiled and said, "That answer is simple. Blankets do more than keep you warm...they can help protect you from the elements, conceal you from bugs, or give
you a place to sit or sleep that isn't gravel or dirt. Blankets provide a type of comfort, and my goal is to 'blanket' Tampa Bay's homeless population with comfort and love." ...It gave me goosebumps, and I'll never forget her answer.
Blanket Tampa Bay is a wonderful organization! They help so many of the homeless population with blankets, as well as with other needed personal items. They do this week after week! They are awesome!!
I love the work that Blanket Tampa Bay does in the Tampa Bay community. Beth and her husband are truly caring and appreciative for every donation, volunteer hour given and media coverage published because it helps their message. We need to take care of our less fortunate for the right reasons and Blanket Tampa Bay does some amazing things to serve that mission. Thank you for your work and dedication.