MAA Belmere Providing Hope, One Family at a Time
By Jessica Meder Assistant Property Manager MAA Tampa Oaks
Since 1997, MAA Belmere has proudly provided a welcoming home to families supported by Open Arms. Located in sunny Tampa, FL, MAA Belmere provides a peaceful retreat with its serene pool, tranquil lakes and local wildlife, making it the perfect place to relax while remaining close to many of the hospitals partnered with Open Arms.
Denise Thomas
Denise Thomas, Property Manager at MAA Belmere since 2012, has always held Open Arms close to her heart. She often shares that supporting Open Arms is the most rewarding aspect of her role at MAA. Over the years, one particular story stands out to her as a reminder of the program's impact. “The most memorable story about Open Arms is a family that would return each year so their son could receive medical care at Shriners Hospital for Children,” Denise recalls. “The family from Honduras had a very young son who was unable to walk. I remember when I first met them, the father brought him into the office in his arms. They were taking him to the hospital to get fitted for a specialized electric wheelchair. They returned each year for about 3 years as the little boy’s body changed for medical care. On the very last day of their final stay in our Open Arms apartment, the whole family came to the office to say goodbye. The father called to the son and told them to come in and give me a hug. Instead of seeing him in a large electric wheelchair, he walked into my office with specialized leg braces and arm crutches to give me a hug. His family and I had tears of joy that day. ”
Denise reflects, “This is why our Open Arms Foundation means so much to me. I'm blessed to see how the foundation truly helps people.”
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