By Michelle Colesanti
When Sammy Sullivan passed away at 22 months due to an unexpected illness eight years ago, his parents, Joe and Brenda Sullivan, were determined to honor his short life and 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 to serve under privileged kids. The Sammy Sullivan Home opened April of 2009, and the Sullivan’s goal to raise $100,000 annually to keep the home funded continues.
The annual Sammy Sullivan Charities golf tournament will be held at Summerfield Crossing Golf Club, which is located at 13050 Summerfield Ave. in Riverview, on Friday, October 11. For more information, visit www.sammysullivancharities.org/tournament.html.
On Thursday, October 10, O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Sammy Sullivan Charities will host a tournament kick-off party and live auction at O’Brien’s Irish from 7:30-10:30 p.m. The party will benefit A Kid’s Place and the Sammy Sullivan House. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Along with the live auction, which will begin at 8 p.m., there will be many 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 Catherine Ratcliffe at 314-2222 or e-mail crat cliffe@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, you can still support Sammy’s Charities at www.AKidsPlacetb.org/donate.aspx, or send a check (payable to A Kid’s Place) to Sullivan Benefits, 1105 Nikki View Dr., Brandon, FL 33511.
