RUSKIN – The Mary & Martha House in Ruskin is so well-known that it has become nearly ubiquitous in Hillsborough County. In a sense that is unfortunate because in ubiquity, people tend to forget the vital and unique mission of this South County resource: to offer much-needed shelter to battered and/or homeless women and their children. More than that, the organization also offers a path to a new and better life for those women and children through training and job opportunities. For vulnerable women in need, the non-profit organization is a Godsend. For the community, it is an asset deserving praise and ongoing support.
On the latter note, volunteers from several women-owned companies gathered last week to give the kitchen and dining areas in the shelter a fresh, new look. The companies and individuals included Tammy Franco of Beautiful Walls And More, LLC, Heather Kildis of MediterraneaDesignStudio.com, Cindy Preston of Overall Painting, Linda Baykent of Decorartizani, LLC, Lynn Browne of Grand Illusions Painting, Lenda Inda of IndaMood Decorative Painters, Beverly Bakalyar of BeverlyBakalyar.com, and Karen Lewis.
Proving that providing sanctuary for battered women isn’t a gender-specific issue, Sherman Williams of Ruskin donated wall paint and Interbay Paint Company donated the ceiling paint used to complete the makeover project.
For the companies and individuals involved, it was an act of compassion and in the process, all have made not only the shelter, but also the community, a better place to live.
For information on how you can help the Mary & Martha House, visit www.marymarthahouse.org or call Executive Director Laurie Kepler at 813-645-7874.