How South Tampa Can Help Boston Bombing Victims, Girl Struck by Lawn Mower

South Tampa residents who have been searching for ways to send some love to Boston or to a Palm Harbor toddler who lost limbs in a lawn mower accident have some places to turn to lend their support.

 A local charity, 50 Legs, is reaching out to help in both instances.

Largo-based 50 Legs is a nonprofit that provides prosthetics to children in need. It was founded by former wrestler Steve Chamberland, an amputee who lost a leg in a motorcycle accident. Chamberland started the charity in 2011 after he was contacted by a friend who knew of a 9-year-old girl in need of a prosthetic leg. The girl was injured when she saved her sister's life by pushing her from the path of a truck headed their way. 

"When I heard this story, I realized that my leg was taken for a reason and that I would devote myself to helping other children amputees," said Chamberland on his 50 Legs website. Chamberland contacted his prosthetic doctor and together they presented the girl with a prosthetic leg.

Chamberland’s charity is now striving to help Boston bombing victims who lost limbs in the April 15 attack. It’s also helping Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old Palm Harbor girl, who lost a portion of both legs in a lawn mower accident.

The charity is hosting its second-annual golf tournament at East Lake's Tarpon Woods Golf Club on April 27. For more details about that event and to register, visit 50 Legs online. The organization also accepts donations via its website.

Want to learn about other ways to help Ireland Nugent? Check out this story about all the ongoing local efforts to help the girl and her family.

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