Several Fundraisers Planned For Kaitlyn Jenkins

Friends, family and supporters have several benefits scheduled to help Kaitlyn Jenkins.

The 7-year-old Land O’ Lakes resident and Oakstead Elementary student was recently diagnosed with  an aggressive and inoperable form of cancer, brain stem glioma. She is the daughter of Brady and Lt. Stacey Jenkins of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s detention bureau.

“We hope to raise enough money to help them pay their medical bills as well as go on vacations with Kaitlyn and not have to worry about where the money will come from,” explained Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Robert Ferro.

He is helping to organize a barbecue that takes place at the Rotary Pavilion at Safety Town, 15325 Alric Pottberg Rd., in Shady Hills Saturday, Feb. 12, from 2 to 6 p.m.

That event features food, games, live entertainment, Games 2 U’s 4-D movie experience, a silent auction and more. The cost to enter is $5 and tickets will be available at the door.

Also planned for Feb. 12 is a pork and chicken roast at the AMVETS Post 98 at 4629 Bartelt Rd. in Holiday. The event features music by The Sons of Eros and the cost is donation based. All proceeds will benefit the Jenkins family. The event starts at 1 p.m. For more information, call 727-943-5863.

Next Saturday, Feb. 19, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Road Dawgs of the U.S. Tampa Bay Chapter are playing host to “A Concert For Kaitlyn.” That event starts with 9 a.m. registration for a motorcycle ride at Pappas Ranch Restaurant, 11345 State Road 54 in Odessa. Kickstands go up at 11 a.m. and the cost to ride is a $20 donation per rider and $10 per passenger. That donation includes tickets to the event.

The concert takes place at Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Land O’ Lakes, 4420 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The cost is $10 and includes food and a ticket for door prizes. Live entertainment will be provided by Wiley Fox from about 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“I wish that this benefit did not have to take place, but since we cannot change what is happening, this is the only way we felt we can be a help to Kaitlyn and her family,” Ferro said in reference to Feb. 12’s barbecue.

Brady Jenkins, Kaitlyn’s father, said his family has been overwhelmed with the support people have shown.

“Me and Stacey are really grateful for everything everyone has done,” he said. “It’s amazing and eye opening. I really do want to thank everybody."