Riverview/Apollo Beach
Chalklines 7
Educational Feature
August 2022
Volume 20, Issue 8
See Page 44
Ph: 813-657-2418
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
COMMUNITY HELPS BRING LOCAL TEEN BACK FROM MEXICO AFTER HORRIFIC CRASH By Sharon Still
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
By Ella Martin B3 was asked to join the Bandolero Team for Curt Britt Motorsports and participated in numerous races with them. He has raced at several professional speedways, such as the Citrus County Speedway in Inverness, where he has a six-time winning streak; Crispy Motorsports in Georgia, with two first-place
Billy Lee III, also known as B3, holding a first-place trophy he won at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
This upcoming fall, Billy Lee III will be heading into the fourth grade at LLT Academy South Bay, except his life has an exciting twist. Lee, whose racing name is B3, is an 8-year-old racecar driver. B3 comes from a third-generation racing family, which is why his love for racing was sparked at Billy Lee III, also known as B3, racing in the Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Thursday Thunder event. such a young age. His father, Bill Lee Jr., is a drag racer, as was his grandfa- wins; and the Atlanta Motor Speedway. B3 ther. His mother, Amy Lee, grew up near an races with the rookie class and is the youngoval track, so she spent lots of times around est participant in this category, as most racers are 10 and over and can even include racers and cars. For B3’s first birthday, his parents gifted adults. Over B3’s years of racing, he has received him a shiny, blue Power Wheels Corvette. Around the age of 2, B3 began participating lots of publicity and sponsorships for his in a local Power Wheels racing leagues. His amazing accomplishments. During NASCAR mother explained that the purpose of this weekend in March 2022, Jaime Little from league is to “inspire young and old racers.” Fox Sports 1 interviewed B3 and featured When B3 was about 3-and-a-half years old, his story on a national news segment, hophe upgraded to a Power Wheels firetruck, ing it would inspire and motivate other kids which his father modified to mimic a jet to chase their dreams. B3 is currently sponsored by many busitruck. At age 4, B3 was asked to be the opening act at the Night of Fire Jet Truck nesses, including NAPA Auto Parts, Bill Lee’s Professional Automotive, Jack’s Apparel and Show. This was a turning point for his young ca- Forward Bite. B3 is also seeking additional reer, as he was able to partner with Larsen marketing sponsorship and can be contactMotor Sports, even getting to sign auto- ed through Amy at 941-933-2135. graphs after the show. However, in early 2020, COVID-19 hit and put a pause on most racing events, but this did not stop B3 APOLLO BEACH CONNECTOR...........PG 3 from wanting to pursue his dream of professional racing. Amy said that “All B3 wanted FISHING WINNER ......................... .......PG 4 to do was race,” which led to him redirecting EYE ON BUSINESS ...................PGS 25-26 his focus, and he went on to win three cham- LADIES TEA........................................... PG 31 pionships as a go-kart racer.
IN THIS ISSUE:
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When tragedy struck and her aunt in Leon, a local Wimauma famiMexico and returned ly, community members them to Tampa. Jasmin quickly banded together was then transported offering emotional and fito Johns Hopkins All nancial support. Children’s Hospital in A family friend reached St. Petersburg, for furout to the South Shore ther care. Chamber of Commerce “Although we helped with the heartbreaking get the final $7,500 story of 12-year-old Jasthey needed, there are min Cervantes-Garcia, a still going to be so many student in Academy 2027, expenses once they get a first-of -its-kind middle her home, so feel free school program at Sumner to continue sharing her High School in Riverview, GoFundMe page,” Davis who ended up the sole Jasmin Cervantes-Garcia of Wimauma posted. survivor of a car crash remains in critical condition at Johns Garcia reported that killed her parents, Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Pe- that Jasmin suffered Maria and Cruz, and tersburg after surviving a crash in Mexico a brain injury and grandparents, Enrique that killed her parents and grandparents. that she is aware but and Alicia, in late unable to speak, June while they communicatwere vacationing ing through eye in Mexico. The blinks and hand crash left the squeezes. She young girl fighting for her life in a hos- added that Jasmin is unaware of what pital in Mexico while the deceased fam- happened. ily members’ bodies were sent back to In addition to the funds raised by the Ruskin/Wimauma for funeral services. South Shore Chamber of Commerce, area Jasmin’s aunt, Cindy Garcia, a nurse churches and Helping Hands of Southherself, quickly realized that the medical Shore also made contributions. As of system in Mexico is much different than press time, a little more than $48,000 of in the United States; Jasmin’s care was the $55,000 goal had been raised. at a stand-still, and she knew she had to “This is not even the beginning,” said bring her back home. That was when a Garcia. She stated that some of the monfamily friend turned to the South Shore ey has already been spent and there is a Chamber of Commerce and its executive long road ahead. “This is nothing we have director, Melanie Davis. experienced before,” Garcia added. Davis took the story to Facebook, urg“We will continue to help the family by ing members for donations to help bring being a resource to them,” commented Jasmin back and assist with the medical Davis, noting that she talks daily with bills. After her Friday post, Davis report- Garcia. ed on Monday morning that the money Those interested in helping Jasmin set out to raise to help get Jasmin home and her family can do so through Zelle had been raised. at 941-345-7423, Cash App via $cindyOn July 10, JET ICU, a Tampa-based air garcia9 or through the GoFundMe page ambulance company, picked up Jasmin; at www.gofundme.com/f/bring-jasher older brother, Cruz Cervantes-Garcia; min-home-and-medical-expenses.
LOCAL 8-YEAR-OLD BILLY LEE III, KNOWN AS B3, SHAKES UP THE RULES OF RACECAR DRIVING
Recruitment is underway for veterans, military spouses and former law enforcement officers to ‘Continue the Mission’ through career and mentorship opportunities aimed toward protecting children. The program launched s in Pensacola in June, with First Lady Casey DeSantis at the podium to praise the statewide effort. See the full article on page 34.
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