The Plant City Courier & Tribune
Evelyn and Batista Madonia Sr. Community Center
Published: September 1, 2010
PLANT CITY - A former college campus has been transformed into a center for farmworkers by a couple better known for their ownership of the Red Rose Inn and Suites.
Evelyn and Batista Madonia Sr. bought the former Spurgeon Baptist Bible College campus on State Road 60 near Mulberry about five years ago. They have established housing for families who work for their tomato growing and distribution business and set up a day care center and church there.
The Madonias have owned the Red Rose for about a decade. Evelyn is particularly well-known for her cable television commercials pitching the Southern-themed hotel and restaurant. But they have been involved in farming for much longer.
They continue to make improvements to the nearly 40-year-old former college campus just east of County Line Road.
"We recognized the location and facilities would be ideal for our employees in that area and their families," Evelyn Madonia said. "We did a lot of refurbishing throughout the campus. ... Batista and I are very pleased with the results."
The day care facility, leased and operated by the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, includes six classrooms, four infant/toddler rooms and two preschool rooms. The staff includes two teachers per classroom, two social workers, three administrators, one maintenance worker and a cook.
"In November, we expect to have another building renovated and open to provide education and day care services specifically for the older preschool children," said Veronica Arteaga, a Redlands Christian Migrant Association coordinator. "The infant/toddler center will gain space, making room for 60 younger children."
Most of the children at the facility have family members who work for the Madonias, Arteaga said. "We appreciate the relationship that we have with them."
Classes at the center start in November and conclude in June.
The Madonias, who own East Coast Brokers & Packers Inc., have tomato fields in Hillsborough, Manatee, Martin and Polk counties, and Mappsville, Va.
"We started with a small farm 30 years ago, but now we own several farms in Florida and Virginia," Batista Madonia said.
The college chapel on the grounds was christened the St. Juan Diego Chapel by Miami Catholic Archbishop Thomas Wenski when he toured the grounds with the Madonias last fall. The Hispanic missionary priest from St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lakeland, Father Franklin Salazar, conducts Mass at the center at 10 a.m. Sundays.
The church seats about 300 people and is often filled with Madonia employees who live on the property and in the surrounding areas. Others who live nearby also attend. Baptisms are frequent during each Sunday service. Socials are also held on the grounds.
"Father Salazar is a wonderful priest," Evelyn Madonia said. "He is like a father to those attending church. They are proud to take their families to participate in the services each Sunday. The sharing of Christian traditions and the love of God is a big part of their lives."
Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 731-8161.