Tampa, FL – January 4, 2017 – In late 2016, the Leadership Tampa class took on a community project at A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay, a non-profit residential community serving foster children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Leadership Tampa participant and Division Manager for Wharton-Smith’s Tampa office Todd O’Donnell knew the project would be one that Wharton-Smith founder George Smith would be proud for his company to be a part of.
Over the last six years, A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay has provided a home and educational opportunities to over 1,100 children. The Leadership Tampa project is designed to convert the porch area of the administration building into an additional classroom. In December, the Leadership Tampa and Wharton-Smith teams worked together over a two-day period on the drainage, piping, and catch basins to prepare the site for construction.“Thanks again for all of your hard work and dedication in making this very special and important project a reality,” remarked Todd in a note to the team. “This will serve as the stepping stone in moving closer to finishing our ultimate goal for the future classroom,” he added.
Wharton-Smith partnered with Leadership Tampa to provide pro bono construction services, along with McDade Water Works who generously donated materials for the drainage piping. When the project is complete, Wharton-Smith and subcontractors will have donated $20,000 in materials, equipment, and labor towards the project.
Founded in 1971 by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Tampa introduces its class members to aspects of the greater Tampa community through an intensive nine-month course. Members are challenged to see their community as they never have before. Every other week, Leadership Tampa brings in top-level business, civic, and government leaders for an interactive behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement, education, social services, the environment, economic development, and the arts.
