News
Local business pays it forward at the Farm
By Wendy Joan Biddlecombe | Hernando Today
Published: December 23, 2012
SPRING HILL - "This will last us a whole year!" a boy exclaimed as Ron Rueff opened the double doors of a trailer Saturday at Pay It Forward Farm.Published: December 23, 2012
Inside were countless bundles of toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies — even computers — donated by Rueff, owner of the local Thunder Bay Builders Sinkhole Specialists.
"Who needs diamonds when there's toilet paper?" said Christine Collins, laughing. Collins is the founder of Pay It Forward Farm of Spring Hill, an organization she started in 2010 in honor of her mother, who raised seven of her nine children on her own after her husband died in a boating accident.
Collins' mission for the 10-acre property is to motivate and encourage single mothers to make their goals a reality. At the moment, the farm serves 15 families, and while the mothers don't live at Pay It Forward Farm, they often spend up to 40 hours a week there volunteering or taking advantage of the classes, such as horticulture, sewing, baking and computer programs.
"She is so selfless," said Joseph Cortes, marketing and public relations for Thunder Bay Builders, adding Collins is active in the Chamber of Commerce, enlisting the community's help.
All the paint for the freshly coated salmon walls were donated, as well as the floors and installation set for the new year. Pay It Forward Farm holds two garage sales a month, selling donated items to pay the electric bill. Collins said she hopes to start additional cottage industries for the women, such as making jam or muffins, or sewing.
"Our moms work for everything they get," said Collins, adding, "Our farm has no animals, no crops, just beautiful moms and kids."
wbiddlecombe@hernandotoday.com (352) 544-5283