By Michelle Colesanti
Sammy Sullivan brought joy to his family, and when he passed away at 22 months due to an unexpected illness, his parents, Joe and Brenda Sullivan, were determined to honor Sammy’s short life and honor his memory by giving comfort to others in their time of need through the Sammy Sullivan Charities.
In Sammy’s memory, the charity funded $400,000 to A Kid’s Place, a 60-bed, five-home, emergency shelter for abused, abandoned, and neglected children. Their pledge was to build one of the five homes which shelter abused, abandoned and neglected children. The Sammy Sullivan Home opened April of 2009. The Sullivan’s goal is to raise $100,000 annually to keep the home funded.
On Thursday, October 11, O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Sammy Sullivan Charities will host a tournament kick-off party and live auction at O’Brien’s Irish Pub starting at 6 p.m. The party will benefit Kids Charity of Tampa Bay and the Sammy Sullivan House. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Local company Sun Belt, Inc. is a new major sponsor of Sammy Sullivan Charities.
Along with the live auction, which will be held at 8 p.m., there will be more than several raffle items ranging in value from $100 to about $300. A chest of cheer and 50/50 tickets will also be available. O’Brien’s is located at 701 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon. The community is encouraged to come on out and have a good time while supporting this great charity. Raffle items valuing about $200 to be donated for the event will be welcomed. For information about donating raffle items or to R.S.V.P., please call Sandy at 982-3969 or e-mail sbloodgood@sullivanbenefits.net.
Sammy’s father, Joe Sullivan said, “I think what’s important to Brenda [Sullivan’s wife] and me is to create more awareness for A Kid’s Place in Sammy’s memory, and to make the O’Brien’s function a memorable community event where all are welcome.
If you can’t make the event, but would like to donate, visit www.sammysullivancharities.org or send a check (payable to Kids Charity of Tampa Bay) to Joe Sullivan, 1105 Nikki View Dr., Brandon, FL 33511.
The annual Sammy Sullivan Charities golf tournament will be held at Summerfield Crossing Golf Club, located at 13050 Summerfield Ave. in Riverview, on Friday, October 12, and is sponsored by Mutual of Omaha. For more information, visit www.sammysullivancharities.org/tournament.html.
