Local family selected to receive Clearwater Marine Aquarium giveaway!

Meet the O'Shell Family...

William O'Shell Jr., retired 1st Sgt of the U.S. Army, and his wife Annette O'Shell, contacted Healing Heroes Network this past May when they heard about a giveaway contest for military families in the Tampa Bay area.  Healing Heroes Network was giving away free family admission passes for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to a local deserving military family.  Born and raised right here in Pinellas county, Annette reached out right away to tell HHN about her amazing, heroic family.  Upon reading about the O'Shell's, we knew just who was going to win this awesome trip.

Annette and William have a strong military history and family tradition.  William is from Pennsylvania and served proudly for 25 years in the U.S. Army. In 1991, he finally left the military to take care of his mother, who had become ill and was dying. Both Annette and William are now retired, and started doing foster care 4 years ago in 2010. They are currently licensed Medical/Therapeutic foster parents for children with special needs here in Pinellas County.  Annette and William have a son who is now a Sgt. in the U.S. Army, stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC., and their daughter in law is also medically retired from the U.S. Army.

The O'Shell home is currently residence to 6 children, 5 of which are in the foster care system. Their youngest, biological son Grayson is 11 years old.  The other children in the home range from ages 1 month old to 2 years old, 5 years old, 7 years old, and 15 years old.  Annette says, "I was born here in Pinellas county and have watched all the changes the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has gone through. I have not been able to see the Aquarium due to the expense of all the kids. We can't wait to take a day and come visit the Aquarium and Winter.  Thank you Healing Heroes Network!"

In conjunction with the family's trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Healing Heroes Network will also be sending the O'Shell family to have dinner at Crabby Bill's on Clearwater Beach.  We are honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to give back and show our appreciation to this deserving military family right here in the Tampa Bay area!  Healing Heroes Network would like to thank the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Crabby Bill's Seafood Restaurant for making this possible!