It’s February, the season of love. It’s also my birthday season.
Ironically, this event planner rarely plans her own party– just a series of small gatherings. This year we sang karaoke, roller-skated and enjoyed a jazzy-Jamaican-jerked Sunday brunch.
Everyone from besties, to Facebook friends, to colleagues have shared the most beautiful expressions and well-wishes.
I think I’ll be eating red-velvet cake (a.k.a. “celebrating”) all month.
There was an over-whelming outpouring of love.
It makes 45 feel fabulous.

But let’s talk about a love that is even better than the “birthday love” we shower on friends and family.
Let’s call it “a greater love”.
When you think of the idea of loving your neighbor, do you think of Mr. Rogers?
I think a greater love would be loving those community members who are unknown, unsheltered and in the worst cases, unwanted.
During this Valentines season, I challenge you to give the gift of time and talent so that the cold, hungry and unsheltered may experience a greater love.

SERVE AT THE COLD WEATHER SHELTER

Cooler weather is expected for the next few days.The county MAY DECLARE a cold weather emergency.
Click below for more info about how you can volunteer on standby when the temperature drops below 40 degrees.
Location: The Portico’s Community Hall | 1001 N. Florida Ave.
Read the Cold Weather Shelter Guest Rules here.

Read below for more ways to serve this week:

Habitat Build | 7:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 11

Serve Day: Community Meal | 12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13
Your service is a gift to this city.

Peace,

Chalette M. Davis
Events & Missions
The Portico
Chalette@ThePortico.org
O: 813.222.2299 | M: 813.951.6974
1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33602
Conversation. Connection. Community Change.

Posted in Connections News