Digest

Golf tourney to help visiting lung patients

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 3, 2007

LAND O'LAKES

A nonprofit agency that aids lung transplant patients and their families is sponsoring a charity golf tournament Friday at Plantation Palms Golf Club on Collier Parkway. One Breath at a Time will register golfers until the day of the tournament. The fee is $125 per player. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Lunch and an awards ceremony will follow the tournament. All players will receive a continental breakfast, use of the driving range, greens fee and cart, and goody bags. There will be contests for hole-in-one, closest to the pin, and long drive. One Breath at a Time's goal is to establish a transplant home as temporary living quarters for out of town patients and family members who come to Tampa General Hospital. For information, call Tony Zappone at 813 470-9623 or e-mail obaat1@aol.com The Web site is www.onebreathatatime.net.

COUNTYWIDE

Money for roads safe, senator says

Despite fears in Pasco County, state road money envisioned for projects to ease congestion does not face budget cuts, state Sen. Mike Fasano said Tuesday. Fasano, chair of the Senate commission on transportation spending, said a $225-million cut to transportation funds proposed by Gov. Charlie Crist is not part of House and Senate plans to balance the state budget. Pasco wants to use at least $5-million of the state money to eventually widen State Road 54 between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills, and $50-million more is already slated for other projects. County officials sent Fasano, R-New Port Richey, and other lawmakers letters recently, urging them to spare the roads money.

COUNTYWIDE

Temporary foster parents needed

More than 4,500 children in Pinellas and Pasco counties have suffered abuse, neglect or abandonment. Many need to live in a temporary foster home, but there is a shortage of temporary foster parents. The Safe Children Coalition is seeking volunteers. You need to be at least 21 years old, have appropriate housing and be able to pass a background screening. You will need to complete a home study and 30-hours of special training. You must have adequate space and be able to provide for your existing family. You will receive financial assistance to help care for the child - you cannot rely on this to pay your bills. You can be single or married, have a family of your own or be an "empty-nester." For more information on becoming a foster parent, please call the Safe Children Coalition Recruitment Line toll-free at 1-866-666-5656.

[Last modified October 2, 2007, 21:36:18]