TAMPA, Fla. --- Seven East Tampa community organizations will host Community Survival Day – Moving To The Next Level from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 18th Ave. Park (west of S.R. 41 between 18th Ave. E and 21st Ave. E).

The seven organizations---the Tampa Bay Community and Family Development Corp., Family and School Support Teams (FASST), Hillsborough Co. Health Department, Lee Davis Neighborhood Service Center, Lee Davis Advisory Board, The East Tampa Community Revitalization Committee, and the CDC of Tampa, Inc.---want to provide families, aspiring leaders, students, and community members in East Tampa and surrounding areas with information, resources and enrichment activities that will improve the availability of services and the community's access to them.

That's a lot of people power under development.

That's a living, breathing, sweating kind of democracy under a July sun. In Florida, where we know sun. The spirits of America's Founding Fathers must be kicking up their heels with glee.

Six hundred to 1,000 participants are expected.

Conchita L. Canty-Jones of the Tampa Bay Community and Family Development Corp. (a 501(c)(3) community service organization) is looking for sponsors.

"Our goal with Community Survival Day is to provide community linkages to resources that will impact the community," Ms. Canty-Jones explained.

Event themes will include Minority Health Disparities, Education, Economic Development, Housing, and Youth Relations, with activities for children and adults.

Ms. Canty-Jones: "Our agenda, at a glance, includes: Walk-A-Thon, Booth Displays, Smoke-Out (Stop Smoking Campaign), Bogie Bear (Mascot and entertainment for youth and adults), back-to-school supplies, and of course food and music."

In the past, this event has drawn more than 600 people.

This is democracy in action. Smoking cigarettes is a problem in East Tampa---it shortens lives, wastes precious economic resources, and dirties the environment (just as it does at Tampa Palms). And ultimately, it effects everyone in one way or another. But while many Americans might imagine that TV commercials and restrictive ordinances will do the trick, Community Survival Day will feature a Stop Smoking booth manned by volunteers who aim to help those afflicted kick the habit.

Housing is a problem too, for too many families. The CDC of Tampa, Inc. will be on hand to showcase new homes for sale in East Tampa---single-family homes with lawns to mow that a family income of $41,600 can afford to buy.

Not to go all Norman Rockwell, but this is the throbbing heart of community laid bare and it's an awesome sight.

Sponsors: Please send contributions---including donations of gift cards, supplies, etc.---to Tampa Bay Community and Family Development Corp., 3000 N. 34th Street, Tampa, FL 33605.

Sponsor Levels and Benefits: