Press Release For “Keep Our Angel Home” Fundraiser

 Media Advisory…
 
Contact:  Anna Vuong, 813-956-3822, avvuong@gmail.com
 
A fundraiser will be held for the Bloomingdale Library attack victim on July 30, 2011.  The “Keep our Angel Home” fundraiser will raise money for therapies and other services the young woman will loose following her transition to the Aged and Disabled Adult Medicaid waiver. 
 
Tampa/Brandon, FL (June 14, 2011) – The Bloomingdale Library attack victim was set to loose the majority of her benefits on her 21st birthday when she would age-out of Child Medicaid Services.  With the help of many community leaders, such as Senator Rhonda Storms,she has been enrolled in the Aged and Disabled Adult Medicaid waiver.  She has been on the waiting list since 2008 but recent funding to the program has made it possible for her to take advantage of these additional benefits. 
 
The added help from the waiver will keep her at home, instead of moving to a nursing home, but she still needs help from the community.  The waiver has its drawbacks as the program does not pay for all the therapy she needs, like aquatic therapy for example, that has proven to be beneficial for the young woman.
 
With the support of family, friends and neighbors, plans are in motion for the “Keep Our Angel Home” fundraising effort.  Hopefully, the services lost through the transition can likely be paid for with the money raised.
 
The event is in need of donations for the cost of food (meat, cole slaw, potato salad, buns, sodas) and supplies (paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils), estimated to be about $2,500. There is also a need for item donations for the silent auction and for the raffle. Please make checks payable to “Anna Vuong” and mail to 8041 Canterbury Lake Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33619. Please write “fundraiser” in the comment line.
 
When: Saturday, July 30, 2011 – 10 AM to 5 PM 
Where:   E.G. Simmons Park – 2401 19th Ave NW, Ruskin, FL  33570
Event Pricing:  $8 per event ticket, $2 park entrance fee per car, kids under 12 free
Event Information:  BBQ & live music, raffle prizes, silent auction, bake sale, kids activities – Rain or Shine
 
*Media please note that photos of the Bloomingdale Library attack victim’s face and the use of her real name may not be used*
 
About the Bloomingdale Library attack victim:
In April 2008, the high school senior, who was granted a full academic scholarship to the University of Florida, was raped, beaten and left to die outside of the Bloomingdale library. The victim can no longer walk, talk, see or eat on her own.  She communicates through widening her eyes, smiling and clenching her fists.  The victim requires around-the-clock care and attends daily physical, occupational and aquatic therapies to aid her slow recovery. 
 
Her attacker, Kendrick Morris, was found guilty of the crime and was sentenced to 65 years in prison.