Over the last few years, Azaria Santos has become a fixture in the halls of St. Joseph’s Hospital, in Tampa, with her charity, Azaria’s Hope.
Now a star student at Trapnell Elementary School, the fifth grader was born three weeks early in the same hospital. She weighed only 1 pound, 15 ounces. Her grandmother, Rudyne Lee, could hold her in the palm of her hand.
Azaria nearly died four times and spent the first three months of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Azaria grew up hearing about her birth. Inspired by her own story, Azaria wanted to give back. She started Azaria’s Hope in 2013 to bring comfort and support to premature babies and their families at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
RAISING HER LEGACY
Azaria first got the idea for her charity when she was making rubber-band bracelets for friends and family two years ago. She decided she wanted to give more and remembered she was born premature. Since it was close to the holiday season, Azaria thought stuffed bears would be the perfect holiday gift for other premature babies.
Since then, Azaria and Lee have added on to the charity.
The first year, the duo bought 10 stuffed bears, out of pocket, for the premature babies at St. Joseph’s Hospital. They put them in colorful stockings, along with a picture of Azaria. Azaria even wrote her own letter about the story of her birth. She wanted to write the letter because her favorite subjects are reading and writing.
The second year they added baskets of goodies. They also gave baskets to preemies at Kainos International Church, in Plant City.
Azaria’s charity work has grown so much that she has been recognized by the City of Plant City.
With the continued support of her grandmother, Azaria takes her ideas for her charity and runs with them.
“She’s very creative,” Lee said. “This child really does have something going in her heart and mind.”
NEW IDEAS
This year, Azaria hopes to take her charity even further.
She’s added a poem that she has written in the gift baskets she is giving to premature babies. Hope is the central theme of the four-line verse.
But the biggest development is going to be a showstopper.
On Sunday, Dec. 20, Azaria will be hosting a fashion show, “It’s a Preemie Thing,” at the John R. Trinkle Center on the Hillsborough Comunity College Campus, in Plant City, as part of her continued charity efforts.
The fashion show will feature other preemies ages 10 and up, including Azaria as the show’s leader.
The show is a first for the charity, but it won’t be Azaria’s debut down the runway. She was previously crowned Junior Miss Central Florida and Little Miss Central Florida. She also walked in fashion shows for her grandmother’s former organization, 3-D Cultural Charm Program and Drill Team.
Azaria and Lee are hopeful that the Dec. 20 event can raise at least $2,000 for the hospital’s preemies through ticket sales, t-shirt sales and concessions.
The fashion show will feature casual wear and sportswear, as well as a Christmas scene, a “geek” scene and a cheerleader scene.
“This year we’re trying to see if we can really go further,” Lee said.
Though she’s excited about strutting down the stage, Azaria is already anticipating the impact the fashion show will have.
“I get to help out people,” Azaria said. “I get to help the children.”
The event is currently being sponsored in part by Varachati Chatman, another preemie and a former member of 3-D Cultural Charm.
Lee and Azaria are still looking for models for the event and other business sponsors. She needs models to sign up by Sunday, Nov. 15
NEXT UP
In the future, Azaria hopes to expand her charity to other hospitals, such as St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
“She really has had an open mind for kids all over the world,” Lee said. “It’s been very heartwarming. She feels hope for everyone.”
For Azaria, the upcoming fashion show and continued charity work is just the beginning. She has talked to her grandmother about wanting to be a pediatrician or a doctor who works with preemie babies.
“I could work at the hospital where I was born,” Azaria said.
In the meantime, the mission statement for Azaria’s Hope continues to speak volumes about her desire to help others: hope for the fighters, and peace for the survivors.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
AZARIA’S HOPE
In addition to baskets and bears, Azaria Santos also hands out encouraging letters to the preemies at St. Joseph’s Hospital. On them, she has included “Hope,” a poem she wrote:
Hope is the place you want to go.
Hope is the person you want to know.
Hope is the feeling that carries you through.
And hope is the future for me and for you.
GET INVOLVED
Azaria Santos and Rudyne Lee are currently looking for preemie models and business sponsors for the upcoming fashion show, as well as donors for Azaria’s Hope charity. Models need to sign up by Sunday, Nov. 15.
Facebook: Azaria’s Hope
Call: Rudyne Lee at (813) 764-7148
IF YOU GO
WHEN: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20
WHERE: John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road
COST: $15 per ticket; $15 for t-shirts sold at the event.