Bloomingdale-Riverview Patch
VALRICO, Fla. — Dozens of people hit the golf course on Saturday to help the woman who’s become known as the “Bloomingdale Attack Survivor.”
It was four years ago this month when the young woman was attacked while returning books to the Bloomingdale Regional Library.
Kendrick Morris, the man convicted of assaulting her, is behind bars, but the Bloomingdale Attack Survivor can no longer walk or talk and she will require medical care for the rest of her life. That’s why residents near the Bloomingdale Library, who are part of the Bloomingdale Homeowners Association, came together to organize the first-ever Spring Classic Golf Tournament on Saturday.
“This really touched me, what happened. This is our local area, and it’s very upsetting to know that something like this could happen,” said Heather Michael, one of the fundraiser’s organizers. “I’m hoping that people continually pull together and try to help out victims of violent crimes. We’d really like to see communities drive together to help others.”
The homeowners association estimates the tournament will raise a few thousand dollars for the Bloomingdale Attack Survivor. They hope it will become a tradition.
Another fundraiser is being held for her next month by students at East Bay High School. Prior to the attack, she was a high school senior there with plans to attend the University of Florida on a full academic scholarship.
That fundraiser, called 5K4Q, will be held on Saturday, May 19.
