Valrico Edition
13
November 2021
Volume 18,
Issue 11
Ph: 657-2418
ENTRY FORM IN SECTION 3
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
A KID’S PLACE HOUSE PARENT WINS $50,000 LIGHTNING HERO GRANT
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING IS BACK AT CENTER PLACE
By Tatiana Ortiz
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic made all community holiday events extremely difficult to host, especially for Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association in Brandon. “Center Place’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting has been a part of the Brandon community more many years,” said Center Place’s executive director, Libby Hopkins. “The tree lighting was one of Center Place’s biggest event of the holiday season, and it was attended by the entire community. Last year, we had to limit the attendees to just 50 guests. This was heartbreaking for Center Place and our community.” Center Place Executive Board member and local resident Mike Owen has graciously agreed to be the sponsor of this year’s Christmas Tree Lighting event that will take place at on Wednesday, December 8 at Center Place. “I wanted to sponsor this event because the tree lighting at Center Place meant a lot to me growing up in Brandon,” Owen said. “The tree in the lake always signaled to me that Christmas is here. I can remember like yesterday, playing baseball at Brandon Little League and seeing the tree lit up across the street. I want the kids growing up in our community to have the same experience I had, so I’m proud to sponsor this event.” The Christmas Tree Lighting at Center Place is a free community event, and the center is working with local vendors like ABC Event Planning to help make this year’s event special. “The tree lighting in the lake is important to our community now more than ever,” Owen said. “Our community just went through a tough year. Our business community was turned upside down because of the pandemic. Now it’s time to get back to normalcy.” Owen and Hopkins hope this year’s event is attended by the community and bring back many fond memories of Christmas past. “I hope to have a large turnout from all parts of Hillsborough County,” Owen said. “Center Place is not just a Brandon
community center, it’s for all of the residents of our county, and I believe that will be reflected by those who attend. The Christmas tree in the lake at Center Place is just as important to me as the tree in Rockefeller Center. As a matter of fact, it is better, and I will take our community at Christmas over any community in the world.” The Christmas Tree Lighting at Center Place is a free community event that will take place on December 8 from 6-9 p.m. at Center Place. Free light snacks and refreshments will be available to the first 100 guests. Center Place is located at 619 Vonderburg Dr., Ste. B in Brandon next to the Brandon Library.
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relationships. Norm mentioned that since his arrival at A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay, he tries to think outside the box and develop tools to work with the kids, which includes music. “I have put on at least 50 dances as well as play music all over campus and do house dance parties,” Norm said. Elizabeth Frazier, senior vice president and philanthropy and Norm Cookson holding the $50,000 check which he received on community initiatives October 19 for being a Lightning Community Hero. executive diNorm Cookson had rector of the a humbling experience Lightning during the first period of Foundation, the Tampa Bay Lightning shared how game against the Florida Norm got Panthers on October 19. selected. Jabil presented a $50,000 “The comgrant to Norm through the mittee reLightning Foundation and viewed hunthe Lightning Community Heroes Pro- dreds of applications; Norm’s stood out gram. The grant will benefit A Kid’s Place as a finalist for the Lightning Community of Tampa Bay. Hero through his dedication to the kids A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay opened in at A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay,” Frazier 2009 with a mission to provide a safe, said. loving and nurturing home for foster Jeff Vinik and his wife, Penny Vinik, children ranging from newborns through established the Lightning Community the age of 18. This unique, state-of-the- Hero Program in 2011 to honor deserving art, 60-bed facility for abused, neglected heroes and funding to nonprofits within or abandoned children has provided a the Tampa Bay community. The Viniks home to more than 1,500 children and pledged another $10 million dollars for has assisted more than 675 families. the next five years to this program over Since 2012, Norm and his wife, Heidi the summer of this year. Cookson, both have worked at A Kid’s The deadline to apply for a grant is FriPlace of Tampa Bay as House Parents. day, February 11, 2022. Norm, who was once a foster care child For more information, visit www.nhl. himself, had a desire to work with them. com/lightning/community/communiNorm has made a positive difference in ty-heroes. For more information about A the lives of the children with his efforts, Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay, visit https:// such as gaining their trust and building akidsplacetb.org.
By Libby Hopkins
11/30/2021
With each kit, Knighten wants to provide a resource folder where foster teens can learn about local programs that can help them as they find a place to live, transportation and employment. Visit theknightenproject.org/ packing-w-purpose-2021-donation-drive or email knightenproject@gmail. com. See Full Story on Page 6.
11/30/2021
