TAMPA BAY, Fla. - Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Wednesday, November 23.
(1) No road closures
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and county road construction crews will make Tampa Bay drivers lives easier for the Thanksgiving holiday beginning on Wednesday.
Starting this afternoon through Monday morning, there will be no closures on area interstates or the Selmon Expressway construction zones in Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.
An estimated 33 million people nationwide will travel by car over the holiday weekend.
FDOT wants to remind you to buckle up while on the roads. Thanksgiving weekend is one of the most dangerous and deadliest times of the year to travel.
If you have a problem while driving to your destination in Florida, call the Florida Highway Patrol at *347 on your cell phone to receive aid.
(2) Metropolitan Ministries needs help
One of Tampa Bay's largest charities is in desperate need of food to be donated on Wednesday for their Holiday Assistance Program.
The Ministries is critically low on turkeys and canned yams. More than 1,000 turkeys are still need to meet the need. The Brink Foundation generously stepped up and will be matching all turkey donations that come in, up to 500 turkeys.
Donations can be dropped off at the Ministries' main Holiday Center located at 2010 North Florida Avenue in Tampa from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Approximately2,500 families are still left to be served by Metropolitan Ministries' Holiday Assistance Program.
For more information, call (813) 209-1000 or visit www.metromin.org .
(3) Gobble Wobble
The TUCCI Foundation is holding a pre-thanksgiving charity event to benefit the U.S. Marines Corp's annual Toys for Tots Foundation on Wednesday.
At the inaugural Gobble Wobble, each guest is asked to donate $10 or a wrapped gift for children and families in need this holiday season. Marines will be on hand to collect the gifts and money.
"Lot's of people are in town for the holidays and many go out the night before Thanksgiving, so we figured why not use this opportunity to raise money for a good cause while we have a captive audience," said TUCCI co-founder Clint Bertucci. "We couldn't be more excited to partner with Toys for Tots for the inaugural Gobble Wobble because they, like us, are committed to enhancing the lives of children."
The charity event takes place from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. at Mangroves at 208 South Howard Avenue in Tampa.
For more information, visit www.thetuccifoundation.com .
(4) Get Roasted
The 13 Ugly Men are hosting their own pre-Thanksgiving charity benefit on Wednesday.
All proceeds from the Get Roasted event benefits the Bob Sierra YMCA.
The semi-formal benefit takes place from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at Jackson's Bar, Bistro and Sushi at 601 South Harbor Island Boulevard in Tampa.
For more information, visit 13uglymen.com .
(5) The Black Eyed Peas
Hip-hop pop superstars The Black Eyed Peas hold their final concert on 2011 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Wednesday.
They will be joined by an all-star cast of friends including Marc Anthony, Cee Lo Green, Flo Rida, Jason Derulo, Sean Kingston and T-Pain.
On July 6, The Black Eyed Peas announced they will take an indefinite hiatus following tonight's concert. The group took a similar break between 2005 and 2009.
Will.i.am added on Twitter the break does not prevent them from working on creations together.
The concert begins at 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.sunlifestadium.com .
