A Northdale real estate broker has assembled a volunteer organization to assist families of deployed soldiers.
Bob Graviss Jr. founded Operation Homefront in March - just as the United States prepared to invade Iraq. "All these spouses have left a family and a home life, and they're not around to do the things around the house that they used to," said Graviss, whose son Bobby is a former Marine living in Tampa.
The nonprofit group has a database of more than 550 volunteers ready to help spouses and children waiting for their loved ones to return. Plumbers, electricians, doctors, dentists, handymen, mechanics, car dealers and babysitters offer their services free or at reduced cost.
Operation Homefront also has a long list of sororities, churches, fraternities and Girl Scout troops who performed chores and errands in recent months. A few weeks ago, a woman with a broken refrigerator got a visit from a repairman who went to her house after his regular work day. The repairman got $300 from Operation Homefront to buy her a new compressor, then installed it free of charge.
Homefront has raised about $30,000, Graviss said. But in the months after President Bush declared an end to major combat, the flow of donations became a trickle. "Now it's almost dry," Graviss said. To find out more, call (813) 964-8230.
Alzheimer's center might build off campus
An offshoot of the planned Alzheimer's center at the University of South Florida has won support from one of Florida's most powerful lawmakers, a promising development for an impoverished community northwest of USF.
House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, said this week he supports using state money to build an Alzheimer's day care and patient assessment clinic in the area, which has a high concentration of senior citizens.
State Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, who proposed the clinic, said it would bring much-needed jobs and income.
Although no design exists, Crist suggested the clinic could be an $8-million, 25,000-square-foot facility.
The clinic would be affiliated with the $45-million Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute under development at USF.
