By Carisa Biesecker

"I do more than the average bear, but that is not the issue. The issue is why people don't do more," states Steven Saunders, husband of Susan Saunders, a couple actively involved in the Brandon community.

The husband and wife team have come to be known as a great force in the area after giving their commitment and time to local organizations for years. Residents of the Brandon area for 22 years, the couple has involved themselves with organizations such as the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and the Neighborhood Accountability Board.

In addition, Susan also takes part in the Leadership Brandon Planning Committee, the Member Value Task Force and enables the staff to have 100 percent attendance at staff meetings by volunteering her time. She also spends time as corresponding secretary of the board of directors for Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association, in which she was past president, volunteers on the board of Campo YMCA and serves on the board of Leadership Brandon Alumni Association.

Steve, on the other hand, takes part in the community by sitting on the board of directors for the Presidents' Roundtable, in which he was past president, serving as president of the board of directors of the Brandon Outreach Clinic and volunteering his time as president of the Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society in which he also takes on the role of a soldier in the 1837 circuit of the Second Seminole War, reenacting history at Fort Foster.

In addition to his membership in the American Mountain Men and the Egmont Key Alliance, Steve is heading into his 35 year as a scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 110, all the while creating Troop 111 for migrant children.

An independent demonstrator for Stampin' Up!, Susan also finds time to share her love of scrapbooking and stamping with members of the Y Girls Rule program at Campo YMCA as well as those at Brandon Regional Hospital.

"It's not about the award. It's seeing those children's faces and making the difference in these young peoples' lives," mentions Susan.

The recipient of various awards, Steve, a retired major of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, adds, "I am just doing what I am supposed to do. It is what our country is founded on."

Steve, who looked to his father as a role model, has also become an example to his own children as well as those he leads through the Boy Scouts. Together, the couple has three children, all who take an active part in their communities.

"It was sort of like breathing," mentions Susan, a retired facility management assistant from Brandon Regional Hospital. "If you raise your children seeing you volunteer, they will be volunteers."

"When a community is good to you, it is your obligation and your duty to give back in order to make it a better place. Though it is my duty and obligation, it is also my joy," adds Susan.

And together, this couple provides joy to many people as well as more hours of service than this article could report.

On August 17, Susan will be chairing on the committee for Casino Night 2007 which supports the Leadership Brandon program. Tickets cost $30 and are available at the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Also, on November 9, the Brandon area YMCA will host Corks and Forks Fundraiser at the Palmetto Club with monies going to outreach programs. Steve asks residents to "invest in youth" by making donations to his boy scout troops so scouts can attend the world jamboree located in England. Scouts have to pay $2,000 a piece in order to attend the event.