Riverview/Apollo Beach
30
January 2022
Volume 20, Issue 1
SEE ARTICLE ON PAGE 34
Ph: 657-2418
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
MOSAIC AND THE TAMPA BAY BUCS HOMETOWN PAPER CELEBRATES 20 JOIN FORCES TO HELP THOSE IN NEED YEARS OF POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS By Libby Hopkins
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
The Osprey Observer team gathers in 2016 for the 15th anniversary ribbon cutting.
A major milestone has been reached for the award-winning Osprey Observer Community Newspapers as we print our 20th anniversary edition on Wednesday, January 5. The newspaper has been publishing local, positive community news in the Southeastern Hillsborough County area since January 5, 2001, and we couldn’t have done it without the commitment and dedication of its readers and advertisers. The Osprey Observer started out as a home-based business with a one-sheet newsletter and has grown into a corporation publishing more than 200 pages in five monthly editions with a team of more than 25 people. The main goal when we started was to make an impact on the local community. Our idea was to get involved and to make a difference in whatever ways we could. We recently purchased a larger office space on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico with room for team members to meet and run the day-to-day operations of the publication. As a community newspaper, we find that this is what sets us apart and keeps our readers interested as we cover the news. We are supported 100 percent by local small businesses who keep us a free community newspaper and allow us to print and direct-mail our editions each month. Without the support of these businesses, we wouldn’t have the staff to send to cover community events nor the community office to be the hub of local information. “My sixteen-year experience with the Osprey Observer has allowed me to integrate into my community in a very special way,” said Kerrie Hoening, FishHawk/ Bloomingdale & Valrico Sales. “The connections I’ve made [have] allowed me to build lasting relationships and friendships. I’ve also found many ways to take part in
and support local Brandon-based charities. The heart of this team is to support our residents, our local businesses, our charitable organizations and our community, and I have been very proud to be a part of the Osprey Observer for these past years.” In addition to concentrating on our main business, publishing newspapers that people read, we also have been active in our local chambers and encourage businesses to not just join but actually get involved and attend events. Just in the last year, we have been recognized for our community involvement in many ways. Managing Editor/Publisher Marie Gilmore was named the 2019 Citizen of the Year for Riverview and the Osprey Observer was named the Valrico/ FishHawk Chamber Business of the Year, Brandon Chamber Business of the Year and Riverview/Apollo Beach Chamber Small Business of the Year Finalist in 2019. The best advice we can give any small business owner is to find your niche in what you do best, be the best, treat every customer like your absolute best customer and follow the general small business rules that will set you apart: Be On Time, Send a Thank-You Note, Follow Up, Stick to Your Core Business and Do Your Best Every Time. If it weren’t for our loyal readers and avid business supporters, we couldn’t do what we do in the community. So, from the entire Osprey Observer & Christian Voice Monthly teams, we thank you!
IN THIS ISSUE: SURPRISE PATROL................................PG 3 TROOP 61 BBQ......................................PG 10 EYE ON BUSINESS...................PGS 25-26 SPORTS ....................................................PG 38
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Mosaic and the approxiTampa Bay Bucs mately 300 are dedicated to families in helping the comthe area.” munities where In addithey live, work tion to the and play. The two pantries, organizations reMosaic and cently joined forcthe Bucs will es to help those in also support need in their comFeeding munity by formTampa Bay ing the Tackling through Hunger Fueled by food drives Mosaic program both with and holding a their emMosaic and the Tampa Bay Bucs recently held a food food drive in Rivployees and drive in Riverview. erview. their com“Mosaic is dedicated to supporting the munities. communities where we live and work, and “Recently, we hosted food drives for this partnership is just one way we hope to Mosaic employees in the Riverview commake lasting positive impacts in the com- munity and at Raymond James Stadium,” munity to fight food insecurity,” said Karla Guzman said. “All three partners, Mosaic, Guzman of Mosaic. “According to Feeding the Bucs and Feeding Tampa Bay, believe Tampa Bay, one in four children are food that it truly does take a team to tackle insecure in Tampa Bay. This partnership food insecurity. We are proud to be able represents our continued commitment to to come together but also proud of how help those in need by removing barriers our neighbors and Bucs fans have contribfor children to thrive and succeed. By im- uted.” proving access to healthy and nutritious Mosaic and The Bucs love giving back to food, we are helping to fuel better learn- their communities. ing, development and overall wellness “All of our employees who have helped components critical for future success.” so far in this partnership have expressed The Tackling Hunger Fueled by Mosaic joy and pride in being able to give back to program is a long-term partnership be- our communities,” Guzman said. “Hunger tween The Mosaic Company and the Tam- is a year-round issue, but the holidays are pa Bay Buccaneers to open food pantries especially tough. Mosaic has an engaged annually in communities in need. workforce who not only supports this “To help fund this partnership, both Mo- partnership but supports many organisaic and the Bucs will donate $10 each, at zations throughout the Tampa Bay area. total of $20, for every tackle made during This is our home. This is our community. the regular season,” said Guzman. “Our This is where we raise our children. We all partner to help build and manage these live here, so to be able to be in a position pantries is Feeding Tampa Bay. Not only where we can each volunteer or donate, if are they a longtime partner of Mosaic, but we can help, we feel like we should.” they have the expertise to build, manage If you would like to learn more about and sustain the pantries. The first pantry the Tackling Hunger Fueled by Mosaic opened at Broward Elementary School in program, you can visit Mosaic’s website at Seminole Heights in October and serves www.mosaicco.com.
By Marie Gilmore, Publisher
More than 300 basket and sports balls were donated to YMCA Camp Cristina in December after a successful Beards & Bands for Bradley fundraiser to benefit the BH3 Foundation which provides financial support, in memory of James Bradley Hulett II, who tragically lost his life in December 2019 at the age of 15, for youth basketball players, teams, and organizations within the Tampa area. Organizers of the event were Beard MOBB Florida and Just 1 Person Can. Visit www.bh3fund.org
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