Community support is near and dear to Ashley's heart.  She has recently gravitated to St. Peter Claver Catholic School which is located in the heart Tampa, Florida.  

 

Established in 1894, St.Peter Claver is Florida's oldest African-American school.  Since the beginning of the school's opening it has been faced with many challenges.  The first building was burned down by arsonists, whom openly said they did not want a black school in their community.  Recent developments of 21st-century high-rise apartments and businesses in the area have moved many of the students outside of Downtown Tampa.  This put the school at risk of closing in 2010, before local leaders of the community stepped in to generate funding and awareness.  The school currently educates over 200 children and this number continues to grow.

 

Ashley led the garden project for St.Peter Claver School, dedicated on October 4, 2015 in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of the environment and animals.  Though the garden project was successful, Ashley felt as though she needed to do more.  More than 96% of the children of St. Peter Claver come from homes that earn less than $26,000 per year, leaving them in poverty and in need of supplies, lunches, after school programs and financial aid.  

 

In the spring of 2016 Ashley directed and marketed the first Ybor Culture & Cocktails benefit for St. Peter Claver School.  This event featured a few of Tampa Bay's best artists, dancers, and musicians.   Fun was had by all and $25,000.00 was raised to benefit St. Peter Catholic School.  This is by far one of Ashley's proudest achievements and she looks forward to the second annual Ybor Culture & Cocktails event July 20, 2017 at the historic Italian Club in Ybor City. 

 

You may buy tickets to the next event at https://www.501auctions.com/2017ycc

 

Or donate directly to St.Peter Claver by going to http://www.stpeterclavercatholicschool.org/

 

"Remember that when you leave this earth you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given."

-Saint Francis of Assisi