For Good: Volunteers Renovate Children's Cancer Center In Tampa

Private businesses and volunteers have finished renovations at the Children's Cancer Center located at 4901 West Cypress St. in Tampa.

According to Tyler Freriks, marketing and fundraising coordinator for the Children's Cancer Center, the renovations were a community effort.

"Businesses adopted rooms and the staff and volunteers helped with the work," she says. "We got down and dirty with scrubbing and cleaning up."

The Children's Cancer Center is a nonprofit organization that provides educational and emotional support as well as financial resources for children suffering with cancer or chronic blood disorders and their families.

Freriks says renovations included replacing carpets, adding fresh paint and new furniture to meeting rooms, refurbishing the playground and organizing its art studio.

Panera Bread raised $50,000 through its community donation boxes, which were matched by the Covelli family, bringing the total to $100,000. Other businesses involved in the project include the Westshore Alliance, A&K Energy Conservation, Mayer Electric Supply and Mykelz Paint Design.

"The renovation project was an amazing opportunity to witness business owners and local professionals coming together and taking a hands-on approach in transforming our center into an environment conducive to the needs of the families we support," says the center's CEO Patricia O'Leary. "It is a testament to how wonderful the people of Tampa Bay are. Their efforts will have a positive impact on our children and families for years to come."

The renovations were celebrated with an open house, which took place on Sept. 25, 2010, and featured a book signing with Bay area author Dan Sherman. A portion of sales for his book, You Can Be a Peak Performer!, will benefit the center and its operations.

Additional upcoming events designed to benefit the Children's Cancer Center are listed on the Center's online calendar.

Writer: Missy Kavanaugh
Sources: Tyler Freriks and Patricia O'Leary, Children's Cancer Center