Charity Distances Itself From Anthonys

Nonprofit Unaware Family Was Donating Caylee Anthony's Shoes

POSTED: Wednesday, August 25, 2010
UPDATED: 7:57 am EDT August 26, 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Central Florida
charitable group said it fears its organization will be hurt because of a
donation made by Casey Anthony's mother.On Tuesday, Cindy
Anthony sent an e-mail to Local 6, announcing that she would be donating
some of her granddaughter's belongings to the Children of Love
Foundation."I will be attending this event on Saturday, donating
some of Caylee's shoes. I think that this project is worth mentioning,"
Cindy Anthony wrote.The organization's founder, Doris Patalano,
said she was unaware of Anthony's donation until she began receiving
harassing phone calls from protesters Wednesday morning.Patalano,
who was orphaned as a child, created the Children of Love Foundation
with her husband nearly 20 years ago. The nonprofit organization
provides food, clothing and mentoring to orphans in Honduras and Central
Florida.Patalano also works at a pharmacy, where she said Cindy
Anthony has been a long-time customer. The Children of Love Foundation
is holding their annual shoe drive at the same pharmacy.Patalano recently began passing out fliers to her customers, including Anthony, to inform them of the shoe drive.According
to Patalano, Anthony offered to share the flier with local media
outlets. Patalano assumed the media might mention the shoe drive as
part of a "public service announcement." She said she did not know
Anthony was planning to donate her granddaughter's shoes and share the
information with the media.By Wednesday morning, Patalano said
she was being bombarded with phone calls at home and at work from
protesters, whom she described as "hateful." Patalano fears the
controversy could jeopardize her 20-year career at the pharmacy. She
also said several other pharmacies have decided not to host similar shoe
drives as a result of the negative publicity, which means fewer
donations for the orphans.Patalano wants the public to understand
her organization has no association with the Anthony family. She does
not believe Cindy Anthony meant to cause trouble, and offers her prayers
to the family. However, Patalano insisted that she has never sought
publicity for her charity work.In an e-mail sent to Local 6 on
Wednesday, Cindy Anthony responded to the controversy, saying,
"Hopefully everyone will be respectful to what this event is all about.
It's not about my family. It's about doing a good thing for others. My
goal is to help this foundation collect shoes for the orphans in
Honduras. Unfortunately, the media would not have normally covered this
event had it not been for my involvement."Also on Wednesday,
attorneys Mark Lippman and Jennifer Craddock filed court papers
indicating they are now representing George and Cindy Anthony. Lippman
represented the family earlier this year as they successfully avoided
home foreclosure by renegotiating their mortgage.Last week, the Anthony's former attorney Brad Conway announced he was no longer representing the couple.Caylee's
mother, Casey Anthony, is jailed on first-degree murder charges in the
death of Caylee, whose remains were found in December 2008. Caylee was 2
years old when she was reported missing in July 2008, about a month
after she was last seen alive.Casey Anthony has pleaded not guilty. Her murder trial is scheduled to begin in May.
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/24764997/detail.html

Report: Cindy Anthony's offer to donate Caylee's shoes causes stir for nonprofit

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-casey-anthony-caylee-shoes-20100826,0,450703.story

VIDEO REPORT: http://www.clickorlando.com/video/24765602/index.html