When it comes to helping the homeless, she’s not too proud to beg By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
In her previous role, Carol Scheckler delivered warm greetings to people when they dropped in at the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce. But she stepped away from her job as administrative assistant at the chamber in May, and has since become president of The Samaritan Project, based in Zephyrhills. The chamber job, she said, was her paycheck. The Samaritan job doesn’t pay Scheckler a dime. “Now, I don’t have a paycheck, just a passion and a mission,” Scheckler told members of the East Pasco Networking Group at its July 8 breakfast meeting. In fact, there are no paid positions in The Samaritan Project organization, she said. “None of us get anything other than the reward of knowing we are helping some people,” said Scheckler, who became acquainted with the charitable organization when she was working for the chamber. She learned about it through Tim Mitchell, who was president of the Zephyrhills chamber at the time, and president of The Samaritan Project as well. “I met a lot of unique people, coming into the office, applying for assistance,” Scheckler said. She felt compelled to get involved. “My dad is a minister. I was raised that we were to help those less fortunate,” Scheckler said.“Not to turn our backs on them, not to stereotype them, but to help them.” The Zephyrhills woman understands how it feels to struggle. “When my husband and I moved up in 1982, we did it for a reason. We were losing everything,” she said. Her husband, a semitrailer driver had been through two major gas wars. “This was our fresh start,” Scheckler said. “That’s why this project is so important to
me. I have been there. I know firsthand what it is to lose everything.” The Samaritan Project has been helping people since 2008. It operates on donations and fundraisers. “We assist people with past due rent and utilities,” Scheckler said. The organization keeps its operational costs low. “We do not pay rent. We have one overhead (cost), that is our Internet, because as you know in this day of technology, everything relies on the Internet.” The project has spent more than two years in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Education Building in Zephyrhills in 500 square feet of space, including the bathroom and air-conditioning room. “My private office is the bathroom,” she said, noting whenever she has to make a private call to a landlord or utility company or somewhere else, she steps into the bathroom to do it. But the organization is moving to much larger quarters at 5722 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills. Last week, the Samaritan Project signed a two-year lease, rent-free lease for the 1,400-square-foot home, thanks to the generosity of a local couple. In addition to its own fundraising efforts, the organization received a $76,000 Emergency Solutions Grant earlier this year from the Florida Department of Children and Families and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “With this grant, we are able to get them into housing,” Scheckler said. “We can pay their first month’s rent, we can pay their electric deposit, water deposit, the security For more information To help The Samaritan Project, based in Zephyrhills, or to get help from the organization, call (813) 810-8670.
OF A
RY AP COMPLIMENTA 2 drinks (with this ad) se of 2 dinners and with purcha
We’re bringing food that is passionately prepared as an outlet for culinary artistic expression to Wesley Chapel. A relaxing dining experience with an emphasis on new flavor experiences and creative takes on old favorites is our forte. Our inspiring menu creations are crafted from organic and sustainable local sources. Humanely raised poultry and meat equals chef inspired Gastropub innovation with a savory twist of environmental responsibility. Enjoy a selection from a wide variety of beers as the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Or, awaken your inner sommelier. Boutique wines from our collection are available by the glass or bottle. Our cocktails are shaken and poured examples of bartending precision, creativity, and expertise.
75 !
I
CityGrill.us
" I
Bruce B. Downs
EN!
813-782-4624
GUNS • AMMO • SURPLUS MILITARY GEAR • First Responder Discounts • • Certified Gunsmith & Law Enforcement Armorer • • AR500 Body Armor Dealer • • Weapon Customizations & Repairs •
O ld 5 4
813.973.9988
deposit.” There is a drawback, though.The organization must raise matching funds for the grant money it spends, Scheckler said. The grant also requires applicants to fill out a form that’s about 20 pages long. “We don’t make the rules. We strictly abide by the rules,” she said. Still, the project is thrilled to be able to help more people, Scheckler said.The grant is aimed at preventing homelessness and getting people without housing back into homes. Sixty percent of the grant is earmarked for getting people back into housing, she said, and the need is great. “We had 151 homeless, registered students, just in Zephyrhills,” Scheckler said. At any given time, there are 1,500 to 2,000 registered homeless students in Pasco County. One of the biggest challenges is finding a place for these people to live thanks to past evictions and credit issues, she said. “Landlords won’t step up.” “If you know landlords who own property, ask them to trust us,” Scheckler said.“Our organization is backing these people.We follow them for six months. I do a case management every 30 days on everyone that
OP NOW
GIFT T* ENJOY OUPERTI ZER OR DESSER
Waffle Chicken Sandwich
B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO
Carol Scheckler, president of The Samaritan Project, said helping the homeless is her passion and mission.
we assist.” Despite challenges, Scheckler said her volunteer work has moments of sheer joy. “The biggest thing is, when you walk up to this client and you go,‘Here’s your lease,’” she said, with her voice breaking and tears in her eyes,“I do get real emotional.” A couple of weeks ago, the organization moved a young woman and her father into an apartment.The woman has special needs and the pair had been living in a truck. “Habitat for Humanity stepped up and donated the furniture,” Scheckler said.“When I walked them in the apartment, I told (them), ‘This is yours.This is all yours.The furniture. The TV. Everything.’ How do you put a price on something like that?” While many youths are couch-surfing to keep a roof over their heads, there also are elderly people who are in desperate need, Scheckler added. “We have an 87-year-old woman who couldn’t pay her water bill. She was living off of pool water, drinking water out of a pool,” she said. “Did we step up and help her? Absolutely.” After telling the group about The Samaritan Project’s mission, Scheckler went into her fundraising mode. “Any of you women in here wear jewelry?” she asked, to set up a pitch for a fundraiser planned for Aug. 10. She also urged them to get involved in the Harvest Festival, another fundraiser on Nov. 1, or to hit the links on Feb. 7, at its annual golf benefit. Scheckler frequently speaks at churches and civic organizations to drum up support for the cause. “What we really, really, really need is support of the community,” she said.“Our motto is ‘Working together to make a better community.’That’s what we want to do.” And Scheckler said she’ll do whatever she can to make that happen. “I am not too proud to beg,” she said. “I can cry. I can do whatever it takes.”
SCAN TO VIEW OUR MENUS!
www.Facebook.com/citygrillwesleychapel
Consuming raw or undercooked meat, eggs, poultry or seafood may increase your risk of contracting a foodborne illness especially if you have certain medical conditions. Section 3-603.11 2001 FDA Food Code
32733 Eiland Blvd. #104 • Wesley Chapel, FL 33545
www.GreyWolfArmory.com
George Harder, Esq. Attorney at Law
Featuring: 18 Hole Par 72 Golf Course and 9 Hole Executive Course
nt Restaura e th to Open Public
Championship Course
par 72
18 HOLES OF GOLF WITH CART Mon-Fri ..........AM $26 ($24 after 11am) Sat & Sun ........AM $29 ($27 after 11am) $18 AFTER 2PM EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK
Executive Course INCLUDES GOLF CART 9-Holes Tuesday Special ............$8.00 9-Holes Wednesday-Monday.....$10.00
Tee times can be scheduled 3 days in advance. Coupon valid for up to 4 players. Proper golf attire required. No denim. All rates are plus tax. Rates are subject to change without notice. Rates effective May 5, 2014 through October 31, 2014.
Tee Times: 352-588-5454 10641 Old Tampa Bay Drive • San Antonio, FL 33576 (1/4 mile west of I-75 on SR 52)
813-455-4551
gharder@harderlawgroup.com
HOA
and
BANK
FORECLOSURE
URE S O L C FORE
DEFENSE 2255 Ashley Oaks Circle Suite 101 • Wesley Chapel, Florida 33544
www.HarderLawGroup.com www.LakerLutzNews.com
July 16, 2014
13