New Tampa Woman Throws Holiday Party For 125 Kids

NEW TAMPA, FL — New Tampa resident Carolynn Smith has two words for people who claim they don’t have time to help others in need.

“Bah, humbug.”

Between operating her own public relations company, raising her 5-year-old son, Isaiah, and now expecting a second son, Smith manages to make room in her busy schedule to regularly volunteer with underprivileged teens.

For the past five years, Smith has served as a mentor to youth in grades nine through 12 at the Wilbert Davis Branch of the Boys & Girls Club in Belmont Heights.

A few weeks ago, she became aware that no service organization, business or charitable group had come forward this year to sponsor a holiday party for the club’s 125 children as in previous years.

She, therefore, decided to take on the project single-handedly .

“These are children from inner-city families who struggle to buy schools supplies and snacks for these kids,” she said. “They can’t afford Christmas gifts and I couldn’t bear the thought of these kids having no presents to open. I’ve been blessed financially so I decided to throw a party on my own.”

Smith wasn’t on her own for long, however. After posting her intentions on Facebook, friends and strangers quickly responded with offers to help.

She launched a fundraiser on the website, www.gofundme.com, with the hopes of raising $3,500 for gifts and holiday party decorations.

In just two weeks, members of the community doubled the goal she set, raising more than $7,000. Moreover, she was flooded with people volunteering to help with the party.

“It’s been amazing,” Smith said. “I originally committed to providing $25 worth of gifts for each child. Now we’ve increased it to $35.”

The holiday party is set for Friday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. In the meantime, Smith continues to seek donations of food and drinks for the party, Christmas decorations, candy, stocking stuffers and gift cards.

“I’d really like to create a magical winter wonderland for the kids with a balloon arch and Christmas trees with all the decorations,” she said. “I want this to be a party they’ll remember.”

In addition to hosting the holiday party, Smith has collected backpacks and school supplies for the club’s children each year, and this year she helped provide Thanksgiving dinners for 150 families involved with the club.

“I was raised to believe that, while we can’t help everyone, we can always help someone,” Smith said. “You should give even if you only have a little to give. That philosophy has guided my life.”

Smith noted that any donations that are not used for the party will be donated to the Wilbert Davis Branch of the Boys & Girls Club, one of the largest clubs in Hillsborough County, for needs throughout the year.

To donate, visit Smith’s Tampa Bay Gives Back Go Fund Me page.

Carolynn Smith helps distribute back-to-school supplies to children at the Wilbert Davis Branch of the Boys & Girls Club.

Photo provided by Carolynn Smith