MISSION STATEMENT:

Ye Notorious Krewe of the Peg Leg Pirate, Inc. was formed with the mission of assisting amputees, their families and organizations that work with amputees.  the Krewe also participates in local community parades and enjoys the opportunity to meet and make new friends.

HISTORY:

Ye Notorious Krewe of the Peg Leg Pirate, Inc. was incorporated February 20, 2004 in the state of Florida as a non-profit organization.  We are a 501(c)(3) IRS recognized charitable organization.  We have also been admitted as a member in the Inter-Krewe Council.

The listed charity donations are all made possible by our Annual Sporting Clays Benefit Shoot which is held the last Saturday in February.  To date, we have had seven (7) of these events and have raised a total of over $125,000;  the net proceeds are all allocated to our charity fund.  To read more about this please visit the Fundraising Section as well as the Gallery of Photos.

With a generous donation from Larkin Contracting in Tampa and Tony Snow in Plant City, the Krewe owns its float.  The membership designed and built the float with advice and help from professionals.  The float has a 6’ peg leg pirate (Pete) on the front, a large treasure chest which also serves as our refreshment center during the parades, a large speaker system with iPod to provide music, and a jail house on the aft of the float that contains two port-a-potties for Krewe use (we do have a number of other Krewes use our facilities during the parades).

During the last 7 parade seasons we have been fortunate enough to participate in the Ruskin Veterans Day Parades, The Krewe of Venus Christmas Parade, the Gasparilla Children’s Parades, the Gasparilla Day Parade, the Sant’ Yago Knight Parades, the Rough Riders St. Patrick’s Day Parades, and the parade in Bradenton.

Membership is by invitation only.  Our members range from age (approx) 22 to 70 and come from throughout the Tampa area (from Dale City to Thonotosassa to Sarasota and Clearwater with a number of them residing in the Tampa/ Brandon/Apollo Beach area.  Our costumes consist of black pants/skirt, decorated black vest with our logo patch on the back, red shirts, black boots/shoes and some kind of head covering.

This is an active and committed Krewe.  Our community work has been recognized in several articles in the Tampa Tribune, St. Pete Times, Observer News, South Shore News, and Fox TV News “What’s Right with Tampa Bay”.  We will continue our work for those who need some assistance while at the same time having a good time at the parades and socializing with members of other Krewes in the area.

The Krewe started with 12 members who were committed to helping amputees and having a good time participating in the local parades in and around Tampa.  We have slowly grown to over 45 members with a Board of Directors and Officers that numbers nine.  Through networking and the generosity of members, their employers and friends, in our first seven years the Krewe has been able to assist in the the following ways:

1. Partnered with the Marine Corps League #1124 in Zephyrhills and the VFW #6287 in Ruskin to provide two (2) handcycles to double amputee teenagers (Kenji and Heather) so that they can complete in state and national racing competitions and increase their social activities.
   
2. Partnered with Maranda Insurance Agency and the USPS Vehicle Maintenance Department in Tampa to provide two (2) tricycles to single leg amputees (4 year old Casey P and 4 ½ year old Cheyenne) to enable them to increase their physical therapy and at the same time allow them to be part of their neighborhood peer group – every kid deserves a bike.
   
   
3. Donated cash from proceeds of fundraiser which was noted in the Donor Gold Book at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
   
4. At the request of the Apollo Beach Sheriff’s Office, donated over 70 pairs of shoes and socks for the migrant children for the school year.
   
   
5. Thanks to members Frank and Cheryl Dodd, donated an electric HoverRound wheelchair (est. value $6,000) to the Seating Department at Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
   
   
6. Partnered with Project ArmsStrong of St. Pete to provided hand-controls so that a young, double amputee (Kenji) could drive himself to college to continue his studies.
   
   
7. Partnered with Tampa Bay Prosthetics to provide a rebuilt knee prosthetic and a new spare knee replacement for the prosthesis of a farm worker (Teofilo) so that he could continue to work and provide income for his family.
   
   
8. Contributed to the McCollum Family Fund Trust after the firefighter husband and his young wife lost their 7 year old son, their unborn child and his mother in a tragic flood in North Carolina.  The young wife also lost her leg.
   
   
9. Traveled to Petal, MS to help in the aftermath of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina.  The Krewe took food, water, personal items, baby needs, non-prescription drugs, pet food, clothing, tarps, chain saws, etc.  The most important item was the Krewe and friends that traveled to Petal to work with the local residents clearing trees and debris and to help deliver much need supplies.
   
   
10. Donated a third special equipped tricycle to a six year old little girl named Lexi who was born with only one leg.  She can now ride her tricycle with her twin sister while getting the additional physical therapy that is needed.
    
    
11. Assisted a gentleman in Kentucky (James) who had lost his nose due to cancer.  With his new prosthetic nose he can now return to work and once again be a contributing member of his community.
    
    
12. Provided a new socket replacement for a woman in Iowa (Janice) who had been unable to afford a replacement.  Her stump had changed size and the prosthetic leg didn’t fit well making it very difficult to walk.
    
    
13. Through the generosity of the staff at the Maranda Insurance Agency, the Krewe was able to provide a tricycle to a 6 year old boy (Raeshaun).  His mother could not afford to provide this much needed form of physical therapy and was most thankful to the Krewe and Maria Maranda and her staff.
    
    
14. Through the generous contribution of member Sharon Rubright, we also arranged for the Oscar Mayer® WeinerMobile™ to visit the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Tampa on Dec. 3, 2005.   A party was held for the patients and their families with many Krewe members volunteering to help out with the games and logistics.  A good time was had by all.
    
    
15. February 25, 2006 found us at the Deer Creek Sporting Clays venue in Land O Lakes for the First Annual Sporting Clays Benefit Fundraiser.  General H. Norman Schwarzkopf (Ret.) joined the more than 100 shooters for a day of shooting competition and support for our cause.  The net proceeds from the event totaled over $13,000 for our charity fund.
    
    
16. In April, 2006 the Krewe presented a handcycle to Casey D., a 10 year old boy, who had lost a limb at the time of his burth due to a cancerous tumor.  The presentation was made at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children with Casey and his family, members of the Shriners, volunteers from the hospital and Krewe members all in attendance.
    
    
17. Members assisted the staff at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children with the “Gasparilla Party” for the National Junior Disabilities Championship which hosted athletes with physical disabilities from an international field of competitors.
    
    
18. In September, 2006 two additional tricycles were presented at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children to a 6 year old boy,Rhett, who lost both legs at birth due to cancer, and to Nahomi, a little 5 year old girl from Honduras who is a triple amputee.
    
    
19. At the request of the Shriner’s Hospital for Children the Krewe purchased 2 tricycles (Jamoy and Reianna) and sent them to kids with amputated legs...one in Jamaica and one in Maryland.
    
    
20. Purchased a handcycle for Elisha, a 16 year old double amputee.
    
    
21. Provided rental/electric payments for 2 amputees (Neal and Bob)
    
    
22. Paid for materials to build ramps for easier access to homes for receent amputees (Susan and Joe)
    
    
23. Remodeled an old bathroom for an elderly woman, Beulah, who could not safely get in and out of the tub after losing her leg to blood clots.
    
    
24. In 2007, 2008 and 2009 provided funds for tuition, fees and uniforms for a double amputee in Jamaica (Reianna) who would benefit from the private school environment and the care that could be provided.
    
    
25. Purchased hand controls for a veteran (Juan) who lost both feet due to illness.  This made it possible for him to once again drive his car and not have to depend on others.
    
    
26. Assisted the mother of a recent amputee still in the ICU following an accident.  Paid her mortgage for one month to help with income she lost due to time spent with her son in the hospital.
    
    
27. In 2008, awarded a $2,000 scholarship to an activist amputee, Chris, to pursue his Masters Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics at the University of Michigan.
    
    
28. In 2008, awarded a total of $12,000 in scholarships to undergraduate students at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, Prince Georges Community College in Maryland, York College of Pennsylvania, and Western Carolina University.
    
    
29. Purchased a tricycle for 4 year old Victor who, due to birth defects, was missing one leg and both arms.  The tricycle was modified so that Victor could turn the wheels using his chin.
    
    
30. Purchased a tricycle for 5 year old Bubba who lost both legs due to birth defect.
    
    
31. In both 2008 and 2009 sponsored six (6) children at a week-long Adventure Amputee Camp held in Bryson City, North Carolina with several members driving to the Camp to put on a “Pirate Party” for the kids.
    
    
32. Provided a tricycle for Taylor and a handcycle for Maria, both residents of Florida.  Taylor suffered the loss of a leg in a boating accident and Maria is an above the knee amputee due to birth defect as well as suffers from limited movement in her joints.
    
    
33. In 2009, awarded a total of $7,500 in scholarships to undergraduates at Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH, Brown University in Providence, RI, Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA, Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA, and Prince Georges Community College in Largo, MD and one graduate student at Northwestern University.
    
    
34. Assisted a single mother, Cheryl, with a daughter to obtain a used car so that she could safely get to work while saving her income so that she could move out of the battered women’s shelter.  She lost her arm in an accident.
    
    
35. In cooperation with Tampa Bay Prosthetics provided Javier with a replacement socket and necessary paraphernalia so that he could return to work and begin supporting his family again.
    
    
36. Provided funds for 5 children to attend the Adventure Amputee Camp in North Carolina.
    
    
37. Five pirates traveled to Middleburg, VA to put on a Pirate Party at the Amputee Camp, Inc. The campers enjoyed decorating their pirate hats, went on a treasure hunt, played several games and came away with some good booty.
    
    
38. In partnerhips with Tampa Bay Prosthetics, provided Minelli with a new prosthetic leg so she could continue to raise her children and provide for her family.    She had left the Dominican Republic at age 18 and had not had a new, fitted prosthetic since then.
    
    
39. Provided a custom tricycle to Youri who is a 3 year old boy from Haiti.  He is living with his adoptive guardians and has the most winning smile.  Youri had both legs amputated below his knees as a result of a birth defect.
    
    
40. Provided a new socket for Jeff.  It had been a number of years since Jeff had been able to have a replacement for the socket that no longer fit.  Through partnership with Waldo Esparza at Tampa Bay Prosthetics, the Krewe was able to provide the socket so that Jeff can now walk without pain.
    
    
41. Provided Isaiah with a new AMtryke in partnership with Tri-City AMBUCS.  Isaiah was born without legs and his feet were attached to his pelvis.  That required a speciality trike that runs on arm power.  Our new partner provides just such a trike.
    
    
42. She has lost one leg and is currently undergoing dialysis treatments. Candy was brought to the attention of the folks at Tampa Bay Prosthetics.  All she really needed was some help with transportation to her various doctors appointments.  So the Krewe provided her with an unlimited 6-month bus pass.
    
    
43. Provided over $46,000 in scholarships for amputees in universities, colleges, trade schools and one private elementary school student.