FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Heather Rollert – Zumbathon Instructor and Coordinator, (813) 380-3694, letsdance4queena@gmail.com
Vanna – Queena’s mother, (813) 751-5745, vannablue9@yahoo.com
A Zumbathon Fundraising Event for the Bloomingdale Library Survivor
Powerhouse Gym in Channelside will open its doors for a “Let’s Dance for Queena” Zumbathon event
(TAMPA, FL – 01/08/14)
WHAT: Powerhouse Gym near Channelside will open its doors Saturday for a two-hour “Let’s Dance for Queena” Zumbathon event. This event will help raise money for the Bloomingdale Library Survivor’s therapy and ongoing medical expenses. In addition to a great workout, the Zumbathon will have basket drawings, raffle prizes, a silent auction and more!
WHO: The public is invited to take part in this special Zumba class taught by instructor Heather Rollert at Powerhouse Gym. Tickets purchased in advance are $10 and door admission the day of the event is $15. Tickets may be purchased at Powerhouse Gym or by contacting Heather at letsdance4queena@gmail.com.
WHEN & WHERE:
Saturday, January 11, 2014 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Powerhouse Gym, 1120 East Kennedy Blvd, Suite 129, Tampa Florida 33602 (located near Channelside)
Parking is located behind the gym and is free for the first two hours.
WHY: While the Bloomingdale Library Survivor, now known to the community as Queena, works tirelessly in continuous therapy sessions to regain the life she once knew; Heather Rollert has been busy organizing a Zumbathon event to help raise money for her. “I wanted to contribute more to Queena’s recovery and get the community involved; all while getting in a good workout and having some fun,” said Rollert.
Medicaid covers only $1,500 per year of the Survivor’s physical therapy and speech therapy, while nearly $70,000 is required annually for all of treatments that have helped her make such progress. These additional expenses are funded through the generosity of the community. The community can follow Queena’s progress on her website JoinQueena.com. This website documents Queena’s journey to regaining her life through therapy, faith and love as well as a glimpse to her daily life.
About Queena, the Bloomingdale Library Attack Survivor:
In April 2008, the young woman, formerly known at the Bloomingdale Library Attack Victim, was brutally raped, beaten and left to die outside of the Bloomingdale Library in Brandon, Florida. Equipped with an incredible will to survive, she did not die that night, and has spent the last five years working hard to recover from the brutal attack. Queena was about to graduate from high school and continue her education on a full scholarship to the University of Florida, but on that night, her life changed in an instant. Queena cannot walk, talk, see or eat on her own, but she is making improvements. She communicates through widening her eyes, smiling and clenching her fists. She requires around-the-clock care and attends daily physical, occupational and experimental therapies to aid her recovery. The recovery process is slow, but very noticeable, as she slowly makes strides toward regaining her own normalcy every day.
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