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28 C E L E B R A T I N G
December 2019 1 7
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Volume 14, Issue 12 Ph: 657-2418 P U B L I S H I N G
Brandon Meals On Wheels Brings Joy To Those In Need During Holidays
By Libby Hopkins
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
Greater This program is Brandon Meals on truly a mission of Wheels is a many hearts and Brandon-based many hands that connonprofit and it has tribute to its success been a part of the for the benefit of Brandon community those in need in the for 42 years. “The Brandon community. Greater Brandon Donations and volunMeals on Wheels, teers from the Inc. began in 1976 community are in an effort to make sure that Brandon what keeps community residents who were Greater unable to leave their homes could be Brandon Meals provided a noon meal,” said Greater on Wheels Brandon Meals on Wheels President alive. Guy Fultral. “Residents who need “Donations meals delivered are screened to from the comensure that they do not drive nor have munity as this access to transportation in order to is one of our shop for food. No one is denied if they main funding meet the screening criteria.” sources,” Greater Brandon Meals on Greater Brandon Meals on LaRussa said. Wheels is a Brandon-based Wheels started through the coopera“Our clients nonprofit and it has been a part of the Brandon community also donate tive efforts of Limona Village Chapel for 42 years. and St. Andrew’s United Methodist $2.50 per meal Church. “We currently have 17 churches or pay what they can afford. No one is that support our efforts,” said Vice refused a meal if they cannot pay.” No President Elena LaRussa. “They are government funding is received by Westminster Presbyterian, First United Greater Brandon Meals on Wheels. Methodist Church of Seffner, Kings Greater Brandon Meals on Wheels is Avenue Baptist, Bell Shoals Baptist, currently accepting donations of ham, Apostles Lutheran Church, High Point turkey, canned goods and monetary Church, St. Andrews, Nativity, First donations. “Our hope is that with the help Presbyterian, Holy Innocents Episcopal of the community, we can continue servChurch, Presbyterian Church of Seffner, ing the Brandon area for many more First Baptist Church of Brandon, St. years as the need is here,” LaRussa said. Stephen Catholic Church, Brandon “It’s very rewarding to get involved. We Christian Church, Rich Valley Church, would also like to serve the FishHawk New Hope Methodist Church and First and Lithia areas. Hopefully we can get Baptist of Dover.” These churches donate interests from more churches to sign up kitchen facilities for food preparation and from this area in the future.” volunteers to help prepare and assemble For more information or to donate, the meals. visit www.brandonmealsonwheels.com.
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Support Bloomingdale High School’s Running Of The Bulls 5K
By Jane Owen
Make plans participate. “We now to get a participated healthy start to because of the 2020 by registering incentives that the for Bloomingdale’s Band Boosters annual 5K. gave our team. We The Running struggle with of the Bulls 5K will fundraising dollars be held on and we do not get Saturday, January much support from 18, 2020 at the district since we Bloomingdale High are also a pay-forMake plans to participate in this year’s School. The 5K Bloomingdale High School’s Running of the play varsity sport, Bulls 5K on Saturday, January 18, 2020. starts and finishes so we try to get on the track and utilizes the sidewalks, every dollar that we can. I made it a chalroads and parking lots on campus. lenge to all of the team that if they beat The race, which participants can run me in the 5K that day, they did not have or walk, is full of community pride. The to complete the fitness test at the first day Bloomingdale Band Drumline will perof tryouts. They always love an opportuniform, and student volunteers will cheer for ty to beat me.” participants. Post-race food includes “We enjoyed the atmosphere the Chick-fil-A, Panera pastries and bagels most. I thought the Band Boosters did a and fruit. Participants will receive a shirt great job at creating an intimate atmosand will be entered into a raffle for donatphere utilizing almost every inch of paveed items from sponsors, including race ment on the school grounds. It was fun to entries into Tampa’s Gasparilla Distance see how they managed to fit 3.1 miles on Classic and gift cards to local businesses. campus,” Borowski also noted. Finishers will receive medals. To register, visit 2019 Race Winner John Carter from https://fitniche.com/event/running-of-thePlant City said he is apt to run the race bulls-5k/. again, “Because I am competitive, I always want to improve on previous race (times), but with the Running of the Bulls In This 5K, the pre and post-race activities is the Issue main reason I mark my calendar for the event.” BELL SHOALS RD WIDENING..............PG 3 Made possible by local business TS KENNEDY COMES TO TAMPA......PG 10 sponsorships such as Gold Sponsor Acropolis Greek Taverna, the race is 5 YR TRANSPORTATION PROJECT ....PG 12 hosted by the Band Boosters and supSTRAWBERRY FESTIVAL CONCERTS .PG 14 ports the Bloomingdale band and athletic teams. Registrants can choose an athletCHALKLINES....................................PG 24 ic team to support during registration. SPORTS CONNECTION .............PGS 28‐29 Bloomingdale Lacrosse Coach Matthew Borowski knows the 5K makes ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT...............PG 30 a difference. “These dollars go directly to fund programs to keep high school kids KETTLE KID......................................PG 31 active and busy in a productive way,” he READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE said. www.ospreyobserver.com Borowski not only ran the race himself, he encouraged his lacrosse team to
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