A raffle will help a nonprofit organization, Angels Unaware, provide group homes for disabled adults.
By GRACE AGOSTIN
Published October 17, 2003
About 30 years ago, a group of parents concerned about their developmentally disabled children living in state institutions founded Angels Unaware, an organization to improve their quality of care.
The Tampa agency has built nine group homes for adults throughout the Tampa Bay area, including Carrollwood and Lutz.
The nonprofit corporation will hold a raffle Tuesday in hopes of raising at least $10,000 to put down a deposit on a new house, said Bill Maen, chief fundraiser of Angels Unaware. Winners will receive $25 to $75 gift certificates from participating South Tampa restaurants.
Homes operated by Angels Unaware serve six to eight adults, who receive round-the-clock care. Too often, residents previously lived in large, "warehouse" conditions, Maen said.
"They have been neglected in a lot of cases," he said. "We provide them with a real quality life."
Angels Unaware, which has an office at 4918 Linebaugh Ave., offers residents recreational activities, vacations, dental and health care, social skill development and therapy.
"We take them to a training center and try to help them learn a sort of trade skill so they can learn to support themselves," Maen said.
Some residents develop skills so they can live on their own. In those instances, Angels Unaware will check on them to ensure they are taking their medication and eating properly.
Angels Unaware receives the bulk of its funding from the state. The rest comes from its residents, fundraisers and private donations.
Raffle tickets cost $5 and can be purchased by calling Angels Unaware at 961-1159. Winners will be contacted by phone.
The following restaurants are participating in the Angels Unaware raffle: Applebee's, Bamboo Club, Bella's Italian Restaurant, Benedetto's Italian Ristorante, Big City Tavern, Blue Martini, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's, Champps Americana, Colonnade, Dish, Flemings, Green Iguana, Kahunaville, La Terrazza Ristorante, Lauro Ristorante, Maggiano's, Outback Steakhouse, Perkins, Profusion, Red Lobster, Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q, Steak & Ale, T.C. Choy's, Tia's Tex and Mex, TooJay's Gourmet Deli and Valencia Gardens.
