9 minute read
BURGER BOWL
By Lily Belcher
Glory Days Grill, located at 11310 Causeway Blvd. in Brandon, raised $1,000 to donate to Armwood High School in the first week of September after they won the Armwood at Bloomingdale High School football game.
The rivalry game took place on September 2 and was the second game of the regular season for each school. The Armwood Hawks outscored the Bulls on Bloomingdale’s field 28-14 and the Armwood Athletics Department was awarded the donation from Glory Days after the win.
“We have a great relationship with both schools, and being involved and supporting our community and youth athletics is one of our brand pillars,” said Jennifer Ulmer, Glory Days vice president of marketing and public relations.
Brandon’s Glory Days Grill and their team of generous employees have been working on sponsoring the event for a few years now. Brandon partner Deon McClendon finally got the initiative of the ground, making the 2022 rivalry game the inaugural Burger Bowl.
“Deon is a graduate from Armwood [High School],” explained Ulmer about the moti-
vation to sponsor the game. “[He is] also passionate about supporting our two local high schools in the Brandon area.” Leading up to the September game, Glory Days Armwood High School beat Bloomingdale High raised the funds School and won $1,000, donated by Glory Days at its Brandon locaGrill in Brandon. tion by rafing of “a Yeti cooler filled with swag and goodies.” Glory Days plans to sponsor the Armwood vs Bloomingdale football game each fall by donating a check to the winner of the match. Glory Days has hosted similar fundraisers for other high schools in the past to support the community through oth-
Deon McClendon presents a donation of er local markets. $1,000 from Glory Days Grill in Brandon with Glory Days is known the restaurant’s mascot, Gofer D. Glory. as a family-friendly, sports-themed grill committed to both the quality of its food and community involvement. Through initiatives like the Burger Bowl, the company keeps its promise of supporting local sports groups and the community. The sports restaurant has won the Restaurant Neighbor Award 16 times and the Community Partnership Award five times from the National Restaurant Association and works with seven charitable partners to help the community it serves. For more information on Glory Days Grill, visit www.glorydaysgrill.com/community.
BRING FAMILY TO HEIFER LIVING GIFT MARKET TO HELP END HUNGER
Staf Report
Would you like to be a part of helping people in need be free from hunger and have the chance to become self-reliant? If making a life-changing diference for someone in need is on your bucket list, come join us at the Heifer Living Gift Market on Sunday, October 16. This alternative gift giving opportunity will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Brandon’s fellowship hall at 121 Carver Ave. in Brandon from 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.
This ‘market’ will provide an opportunity to ‘purchase’ Heifer animals or shares of animals like pigs, sheep, goats, cows, chicks or even water bufalo that will be distributed, along with education and training, to needy families around the world. This is not a handout but an actual opportunity for the recipients of these animals to become self-reliant. Heifer International (www.heifer.org) has a special approach to sustainable development wherein the animal recipients “pass on the gift” by sharing an ofspring of their animal along with education about its care to another family in need, who then does likewise. This expands the network of hope around the globe.
The Heifer Living Gift Market is free to
attend and open to the public. Visitors of all ages will enjoy interesting exhibits presented in fun and informative ways, special activities for the kids, a chance to bid on gift baskets, a silent Early Risers Bible Study sponsored the chicken auction and a simple meal. All booth. donations will go to Heifer International. For each animal or share of an animal ‘purchased,’ donors will receive a specially designed honor card that can be sent to a loved one as an alternaFirst Presbyterian Missions Team sponsored the Heifer booth. tive gift. (Chances are good that some of the folks on your Christmas list, that already have everything they need, would love to know that a gift given in their honor went to make a life-changing diference for someone in need.) “The whole church gets involved, wearing costumes, educating visitors and raising funds for this worthy cause. It is a great event for the whole family,” said Pastor Mike McCormack. Come join in the fun, help people in need and make a lasting diference. Give the gift that truly keeps on giving. For more information, contact the church ofce at 813-689-4597 or visit its website at www.fpcbrandon.org.
By Lily Belcher
Bloomingdale High School graduate Jack Owens was awarded the 2022 Tony Saladino Memorial Baseball Award on August 7 and became coach Kris Wilken’s first athlete to win the award.
“[Coach Wilken] has had some great players on his past teams and to be even a thought of being a part of those great players is insane to me,” said Owens. “I was always the smallest kid, and even today I still am, but Kris has trained me to the max to become the best player I can possibly be.”
The Stetson University commit was recognized for his exceptional talent on the field, boasting a 1.80 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 35 innings pitched. He batted .460 with 17 RBIs and five homeruns, showcasing impressive talent both on the mound and at the plate.
While the Saladino Award is given to an outstanding athlete, the character, leadership and scholarship of the recipient is taken into consideration. Owens, in addition to being team captain, was on the principal’s honor roll and led the team to the state title as a junior last year.
“Jack understands that without accountable actions for himself, he can’t create trust
among those he’s leading,” said Wilken in his nomination of Owens. “… Jack is tough, accountable, respectful and caring.” Owens said teammate Makye Hayes expressed that the team played diferMother Angela Owens, son Jack Owens, Tony Sal- ently when Owadino, and father Jack Owens as the Bloomingda- ens is on the field. le graduate receives the Saladino Award. Owens took this to heart and reflected on how his performance could impact the team. He narrowed it down to one quote he tries to live by: “Treat others how you would want to be treated.” “Just by that quote I ended up pitching the best game,” said the Saladino Award recipient. “We ended up winning, and, most importantly, we all had fun because it doesn’t matter the talent level — if the chemistry level on a team is high, you will win.” The 5’11” Valrico native is the third award recipient from Bloomingdale High School, following Mike Valdes in 1995 and Ryan Strauss in 2004. “The Tony Saladino Memorial Baseball Award was established in 1971 and is presented annually to the outstanding high school senior baseball player in Hillsborough County as a memorial for my late father and my late wife, Bertha, to promote high school baseball,” said Tony Saladino.
SPECIALLY DESIGNED T-SHIRTS AND STICKERS WILL HONOR LEGACY OF POPULAR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER
Staf Report
Kelli Michael, a Mulrennan Middle School science teacher, passed away suddenly from acute lymphoblastic leukemia last month. Kelli taught for 27 years in the Hillsborough County school system, teaching locally throughout her career, beginning at Alafia Elementary, then teaching at Buckhorn Elementary and most recently being a science teacher at Mulrennan Middle School. She is survived by her husband, Brian Michael, and two children, Sean and Shane. Kelli was recently selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning as January’s Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher as part of the NHL’s Most Valuable Teacher program. Additionally, Kelli was previously awarded Teacher of the Year at Buckhorn Elementary.
She was also a Les Mills aerobics instructor at the YMCA and had a faithful following. Kelli advocated for the education of the mind and physical fitness for the body as she felt it was also good for the spirit. She was a great example to those around her, as she actively participated in 5K events for various causes.
Her favorite event and charity was Relay for Life because she had loved ones who
sufered or passed from cancer. She was an active participant through her school and was able to help raise awareness about this tragic disease that touches the lives of so many. Because of her dedication to Relay For Life, Kelli with fellow Mulrenann Relay For Life Team Members. this year, Buckhorn Elementary, Mulrennan Middle School and Durant High School are all joining together to honor Kelli. They have created a campaign to raise money with the sale of a custom T-shirt and stickers. “She loved the schools, this community and Relay for Life. The theme, ‘Curing Cancer Would Be Re-
Kelli Michael was always dressed and lay Sweet,’ paired with ready to support Relay For Life. Kelli’s favorite animal, the koala, will create a shirt we hope to see everywhere,” said Brian. Shirts are $20 and are on sale until Friday, October 14. The proceeds will go to Relay for Life and a fund to assist her two children. Local businesses, such as Daily Blends of Valrico, have put her sticker on their store window. The family would love to see other community members and local businesses support these eforts in her honor as well. For more information or to purchase T-shirts and stickers, contact Tifany Schrefer at tifany.schrefer@hcps.net.
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