By Al Higginbotham | Hillsborough County Commissioner
The late journalist Eric Sevareid once said, “Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.”
This holiday season, I have had the great pleasure of serving as the chairman for the 40 Years Drive for Metropolitan Ministries, in Tampa. In each event we’ve held, I have met new people from all walks of life, both with a helping hand extended and a hand outreached for help. From each one of them, I have found a genuine desire to better the world in the role they play.
On Dec. 6, more than 300 businessmen and women joined Metropolitan Ministries at the Breakfast of Business Champions, donating toys and food as an important part of the holiday assistance for 25,900 families in need. I was invited to speak about the life-changing injury that led to my paralysis and my recent climb of White Mountain in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.
That morning, I was reminded that each one of us can do our part, no matter how small, to help someone else. As I walked through the aisles of food the community had donated, I was impressed by the Tampa Bay residents and their thoughtfulness.
Here, we are blessed to have the United Food Bank of Plant City. It is my hope that as we celebrate with our families, attend our church services and give gifts to one another, we also remember those who need our help. Please donate, be it a toy, food or monetary donation, to the food bank and its families in need. For details on what and how to contribute, call the bank at (813) 764-0625.
May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!
Al Higginbotham is the county commissioner for District 4. He can be reached at (813) 272-5740 or by email, HigginbothamA@hillsboroughcounty.org.