The Professional Firefighters Union of Ocoee, Local 3623, held its inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Festival on March 20th at Bill Breeze Park at Starke Lake. The event, which featured a chili/BBQ cook-off and sampling, carnival rides and games, a vintage automobile show, live music, and arts & crafts, raised funds to help build a home for Army Sgt. Joel Tavera. Joel is currently undergoing treatment at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Tavera family will be the next recipient of a Building Homes for Heroes’ home.

Among the entertainers performing was New York’s own Theresa Sareo. Ms. Sareo is a frequent visitor/performer at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., which was the inspiration for her widely popular, powerful single, "Through a Soldier's Eyes." She regularly performs at military conventions, fundraisers and bases including Forts Bragg, Lee, Eustis, Monmouth, Hamilton, Gordon, The Fighting 69th and MacDill Air Force Base, and at VA Hospitals along the eastern seaboard including Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, The Brooklyn Campus of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System and James A. Haley VA in Tampa.

Ms. Sareo tells her own inspiration story, one that proves that being passionate about your dreams can mean the very essence of one's survival. After being hit by a drunk driver in midtown Manhattan in June, 2002, Theresa awoke in a hospital bed being told that she survived a horrific car accident which claimed her entire right leg. After months of grueling physical and emotional rehabilitation, she began the long journey of reclaiming her life and impressive singing career.

Please Sacrifice A Little For Those That Sacrifice So Much. Help build a home for the Tavera family! Donate in the Name of Sergeant Joel Tavera Insert Dollar Amount: $ (Do Not Include the $ please) Or click here for other donation options Credit Cards Accepted: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card