WOW Cares
Giving back to our community...
Westchase Thanksgiving Food Drive
WOW's Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is the largest community food drive benefitting Metropolitan Ministries. Participating communities include Westchase, Tree Tops, Westchester, Mandolin, Windsor Place, West Hampton, Waterchase, Fawn Ridge and Highland Park. In 2022, the drive resulted in the collection of:
- 38,888 pounds of food
- 786 turkeys
- $4,703.20 in monetary donations thanks to the generosity of our business matchers and individual donors.
The Great West Chase
The Great West Chase is a popular event hosting a 5K, 10K and Children’s Fun Run on the last Saturday in October. Thousands of runners and scores of generous volunteers and race sponsors come together to raise funds to help local schools with struggling kids.
- $31,000 for Davis Elementary (Title I), 2017
- $26,000 for Davidsen Middle’s ESE and ELE students, 2018
- $33,000 for Woodbridge Elementary (Title 1), 2019
- $15,000 for Citrus Park Elementary (robust special needs program), 2021
- $27,000 for Town and Country Elementary (Title 1), 2022
WOW has awarded $305,000 in Great West Chase funds since 2002.
The 2023 Great West Chase will be held Sat., Oct. 28. Registration is now open and sponsorship opportunities are available through Sept. 1.
WOW Spring Egg Hunt
The 2022 WOW Spring Egg Hunt raised approximately $12,000 for the Woodbridge Elementary Food Bank, while providing a fun afternoon of games and egg hunting for Westchase-area residents.
WOW Cares
WOW is a 501(c)3 charity that publishes the WOW newsmagazine, builds a stronger community by hosting important Westchase events and uses the proceeds to make charitable contributions.
Since 2004 WOW has given over $1 million in direct donations to local schools and charities. In addition to donations made possible through our three signature events, in 2022, the WOW also donated:
- $250 Jacob's Touch Charity Golf Tournament sponsorship
- $600 worth of turkeys and pies donated to victims of Hurricane Ian
- $1,000 Westchase Charitable Foundation Santa Parade sponsorship
- 50 holiday meals for Angel Tree families at Westchase Elementary, Davidsen Middle and Alonso High schools
