Spirit of the Season: Featured charities

This season, we're focusing on a wide variety of Tampa Bay area charities that make a difference in our community. Here's where you can learn more about each charity and how you can help.

Battling back against MS

Imagine waking up one day to find your left arm is dead weight. Or your feet won’t move when your brain tells them to. At age 44, Brad Romp was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or MS. After wrapping his mind around the fact that his body was now at war with itself, he chose to use his body to fight back. Fourteen years later, he’s an inspiration to the one million Americans living with the illness as he works tirelessly to push for a cure.

Boy sews stockings for every kid in school

Hunter Asbury is making his dream come. The 8-year-old and his family are sewing 800 Christmas stockings for every student at Hernando Elementary School in Inverness, Florida.

Affordable care for four-legged friends

Even basic health care for pets can be pricey. That’s where the Pet Pal Veterinary Clinic comes in. Their mission is to provide the best care they can to as many people as they can – all while trying to keep the cost affordable. They also fund a shelter with a special place for pit mixes.

Once again, thankful for 'Thanksmas'

This holiday season, thousands of the Bay Area’s less fortunate will get hot ‘Thanksmas’ meals thanks to Joe Maddon’s Respect 90 Foundation. The former Rays and new Angels manager returns every year to help serve at these signature events.