Osprey Observer » emergency care

Morningstar Named Ambassador Of The Year

Jennifer Silverstein — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:30:39 +0000

Local Brandon resident and owner of local electric company, Morningstar Electric, Tammy Morningstar has been selected as the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador of the Year.
Morningstar is co-owner of Morningstar Electric, located at 506 Shamrock Rd. in Brandon, with her husband, Ken.
“I was completely surprised when I was announced as the winner of the award,” she said. “I felt honored to receive this award. I was selected by my peers for this award and it means a great deal to me to know my peers respect and trust me enough to honor me in this way.”
Bonnie Tekampe, who was Ambassador of the Year in 2006, said that receiving the award is quite an honor because the ambassadors do a lot to get the word out to the community. “It meant a whole lot to me,” she said. Tekampe said that Morningstar deserves the award because she is very giving; involved in the community and her business is very reputable. “I’ve used her business both commercially and residentially,” she said.
“Basically, the job of the ambassadors is to welcome new members and make them feel a part of the community, and she does that very well,” Tekampe said.
“When I became an Ambassador I was extremely shy and didn’t know anyone,” she said. “I made it my goal to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself everyday to excel to new levels.”
Morningstar said her future plans for the community is to see it come together and support local business and charities, neighbors helping neighbors and family events for all to attend.
Her company is very involved in the community and has plans to become more involved. It has done free electrical work for wounded soldiers as well as some local charities. It is involved in the Community Roundtable Charities of Brandon and plan to waive its $49 Dispatch Fee to all customers in the month of April and May if they donate a bag of non-perishable grocery items to us for the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO).
“I was also involved with the Brandon Mayors Race and plan to stay involved until I myself am able to run for Mayor,” Morningstar said.
Morningstar and her husband have lived in Brandon for 12 years and have three children, Alexis, 14, Nicholas, 12 and Kelly, 8, and they all attend Central Baptist Christian School located on Windhorst Rd.
For more information on Morningstar Electric, please call 892-4582 or visit www.morningstarlighting.com.
The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce is located at 330 Pauls Dr. in Brandon.
For more information on the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and its Ambassador program, please call 689-1221 or visit it’s Website at www.brandonchamber.com.

Eco Quest Challenges All Residents

Carisa Biesecker — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:36:54 +0000

New and improved, the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) is kicking off its Fourth Annual Eco Quest, offering four challenges for residents to choose from this coming spring.
Scheduled for Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m.-12 Noon at the Alafia State River Park, located at 14326 S. C.R. 39 in Lithia, the Eco Quest has something for everyone. Residents can sign up for one of four events: the Eco Quest, the Eco Mini Quest, the new Ultimate Challenger or the new Nature Walk.
According to Executive Director Stacey Efaw, Eco Quest was created in 2006 because, “ECHO was looking for a way to come up with a fun, different type of fundraiser that would reach out and touch different groups.”
For those in peak condition, the Ultimate Challenge may be the way to go as one must have endurance and stamina to trek this 17-mile challenge consisting of a four-mile run, 10-mile complex bike, three-mile canoe and an obstacle course. The YMCA actually created the obstacle course which will be incorporated throughout all four races.
Those who are in fit condition but want to have a relatively laid back exercise regime for Saturday morning may want to check out the original, 13-mile Eco Quest maintaining a four-mile run, six-mile bike, a three-mile canoe and an obstacle course.
Both events require participants, taking part solo or in a team of two, to fundraise a minimum of $65 or more to cover the entrance fee.
Those with children in tow can enjoy the family-friendly Eco Mini Quest, a two-mile event comprising of a one-mile run, a one-mile bike and an obstacle course, or the Nature Walk, a low-intensity event encompassing a two-mile walk or run – your choice.
Encouraging each entrant to raise at least $30 for the entrance fee, the Eco Mini Quest’s top three winners will be awarded prizes, along with the top three winners of the Ultimate Challenge and the Eco Quest. All contestants will be given a commemorative T-shirt, a goodie bag, an event poster and free breakfast and lunch.
Having raised almost $30,000 over the last three years, this year’s Eco Quest is expected to bring in a colossal $15,000 with over 250 anticipated to attend, almost doubling 2008’s 150 participant count.
This year, the top three entrants to raise the most funds will be recognized through the sporting of yellow jerseys. Also new in 2009, the Grand Prize Fundraiser will be held as a raffle for those who obtained massive donations, with every $500 calibrating to one raffle ticket for the possibility of winning a $2,000 custom mountain bike frame from Quijano Bicycle Company. All are invited to the event’s festivities immediately following the race, with music, food and activities planned.
“It is a fun day; there are four different ‘adventures’ to choose from, so there is something for everyone,” says Efaw, who mentions, “ECHO will really need their help this year. This is a great way to spend time outside with family and friends and help the needy in our area.”
Helped by approximately 90 volunteers weekly, ECHO has been a place of refuge for those in need since 1987, having helped over 100,000 residents in need. Located at 507 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon, the facility welcomes volunteers and donations, such as jelly, spaghetti sauce and canned meat, through the hours of 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monetary donations are also welcome, going towards the purchase of perishable food items by ECHO at a discounted rate. Those who would like to help can mail donations to ECHO or donate online at www.echofl.org.
To register for the Eco Quest, with a deadline of Friday, March 20, visit www.echofl.org. For more information, email echodirector1@verizon.net or call 685-0935. For more information about Alafia State River Park, call 672-5320.

Rotarians Unite To Help Medically Needy Nations

Carisa Biesecker — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:05:23 +0000

“We can better the lives of others and even save lives in countries that have lacked the proper medical facilities and supplies. What a reward, knowing that we can make such a difference,” stated Kathy Curry, sergeant of arms of the Brandon South Rotary Club which, along with the Brandon Rotary, recently packed a 60-foot Wal-Mart semi-trailer truck with medical supplies gathered from local rotary clubs in support of Project C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment).
Project C.U.R.E., an organization helping medically depleted countries, is said by local chairman Alan Feldman of Feldman’s Photography to be sending over a million dollars worth of donated medical supplies weekly to 105 countries throughout the world. Former president of Brandon Rotary, Feldman went on to say, “Seven thousand tons of medical supplies are thrown away everyday in the Unites States. It’s pretty sad, us throwing away things everyday that others could really use.”
Feldman felt led to support this organization, informing fellow Rotarians of the lack of necessary tools and equipment that we as Americans have access to during surgeries, but those overseas may not – things like scalpels, gauze, numbing agents, crutches or even a bed to recover in post surgery. From there, various rotary clubs of District 6890 teamed up to collect needed medical items from generous facilities such as Brandon Regional Hospital, Bill’s Prescription Center, Brandon Outreach, Emergency Care Help Organization and many more in order to support the cause.
Together, the rotary clubs were able to accumulate enough medical supplies to accommodate the 60-foot trailer of a semi-truck, which was donated for use by Wal-Mart upon its return back north, stopping in at Nashville, Tennessee to drop-off the supplies. In response, the rotaries received a thank you letter for their support from Project C.U.R.E. Its mission to be one of support to charities and the community, Rotary International has a total of 1.2 million members. Brandon Rotary, meets every Tuesday at 12 Noon at Center Place located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon and Brandon South Rotary meets on Wednesdays at 12 Noon at Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country Club located at 2721 S. Miller Rd. in Valrico.
If you are interested in joining the clubs in their efforts to help Project C.U.R.E., which is now sending supplies to Haiti, please call Feldman at 685-4343. To learn more about either rotary club, please visit either Website at www.brandonrotary.org or www.brandonsouthrotary.org.Or visit www.projectcure.org.

Feed The Bay Event To Help The Needy

Marie Gilmore — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:03:31 +0000

By Donna M. Rogers
Based on the motto, “Together we can do more,” 14 churches in the Brandon area and two grocery store chains will join forces to combat hunger and poverty in a practical way. Due to the overwhelming basic needs of our community, the food pantries of charities in the Bay area cannot keep up with the demand to feed the needy. The goal is to collect 150,000 pounds of food to stock the shelves of 12 local charities. “Our economy is affecting families from all walks of life, and it is our desire to reach out to these people and share the love of Christ in a very practical way,” says Pastor George Thomasson from Bell Shoals Baptist Church. Church members will be given a preprinted grocery list at their morning worship service on Sunday, November 23. The church leadership will then encourage its congregation to leave church and go shopping at a participating Sweetbay or Publix Supermarket between the hours of 8 a.m.-2 p.m. for the benefit of those in need in our community. Feed the Bay participating supermarkets will be ready as store employees will have shelves stocked with grocery items requested by the charities, and trucks will be open and ready to receive these items to be delivered to the various charities. Sweetbay Supermarkets will provide trucks at each of their locations for delivery of the food. In addition, they have committed to giving a five percent donation of store sales from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on November 23 to the participating charities. Recipients of the collection include ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization), Metropolitan Ministries of Tampa, Day Star Faith Center, America’s Second Harvest of Tampa Bay, Women’s Resource Center, Everyday Blessings, Life Center of Brandon (formerly Brandon Care Center), Bread of Life, Good Samaritan Mission, Inc., Manna on Wheels Ministries, Beth-El Farm Worker Ministry and Cynthia Pinckney Ministries. Stacey Efaw, executive director of ECHO, is concerned about the state of our community. She says, “One thing that scares me most is that over the past month, over 70 percent of our clients are new clients, meaning they have not had to ask for help before. We are seeing people from all industries that have lost their jobs and need assistance -licensed electricians, plumbers, realtors, bankers, landscapers, employees of the car industry, etc.” Efaw also shares, “I had a man crying at the front desk of ECHO; he is a licensed tradesman, has worked all his life and has never had to ask for help. Last month, he sold all of his tools so he could pay his bills. He was so humbled and so grateful to receive the food that we gave him.” Efaw also expressed her thanks, “Without Feed the Bay, we may not make it through the holidays. I cannot express my gratitude enough to this community of for putting this opportunity to serve together. You are going to help thousands of people!” The community is encouraged to participate in this effort to “Feed the Bay” by visiting http://feedthebay.org. Anyone can help. You can purchase gift cards from any grocery store and drop them off at a participating local church for distribution, which include: Bay Life Church, Bay Life Riverview, Bell Shoals Baptist Church, Bell Shoals Baptist Church-East Bay, Big Bend United Methodist Church, Celebration Church, Cornerstone Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Brandon, First United Methodist Church of Brandon, First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, FishHawk Fellowship, Grace Community United Methodist Church, St. Andrews United Methodist Church and The Crossing Church. For more information about this project or how to volunteer, please visit http://FeedtheBay.org, call Liz Brewer at 299-6745 or call Cindy Perkins at 661-3696, ext. 246.

Bleu Donates Special Day For Victim

Jennifer Silverstein — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:24:48 +0000

There has been a recent outpouring of support from the community for the East Bay High School student who was attacked at Bloomingdale Library in April.
Recently, a benefit was held at the Ruskin VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), located at 5120 U.S. Hwy. 41 N. in Ruskin raising more than $17,000 of much needed funds for the student who now requires $30,000 per month in rehabilitation costs
In Valrico, Bleu Salon will open its doors on a Monday when it is typically closed and donate all funds for services to the girl’s fund. On Monday, September 29, 12 Noon-5 p.m., all haircuts, blow dry and style, mini manicures and mini pedicures, 15-minute massages and waxing will be for donations to the fund. Bleu is located at the Lithia Crossings Stein Mart anchored plaza at 3472 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Call 651-4020 or visit www.bleusalonandspa.com.
This is not the first time that Bleu Salon has given back in August of 2007 they held an event called Hairdresser Unlocking Hope. A total of $2,665 was raised for those still in need from Hurricane Katrina.
In 2005 and 2006, the salon sponsored local participants in the Susan G. Women 3 day walk for Breast Cancer and donated $3,024 (in 2006) and $2,975 (in 2005). Bleu Salon has also donated to the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO). Back in 2005, the entire salon and clients donated 800 cans of food for those in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
At the Ruskin event, there was food, music, and beverages. The cost was $10 per family at the door or $5 per person. Additional donations were also accepted; for a donation of $10 or more, people could sign an eight-foot banner for her.
Melanie Morrison, the executive director for the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, who along with a small committee comprised of Denise Reiter, Shirley May, Tony Zipperer, Stacy Self and Kelly Reedy, organized the event in less than two weeks, she said. She enlisted the help of some of the girl’s friends.
The event raised a total of $20,000, with the Wal-Mart on Bloomingdale Ave. having donated $1,000 prior to the event, and the Brandon Foundation committed to donating $2,000. The night of the event, Morrison said, they raised $17,000 in cash.
“We never dreamed it would be that great,” she said. She had volunteered for the Ruskin Relay for Life in April of 2008, approximately two weeks before her attack, Morrison said. She had also volunteered the year before at the Ruskin Seafood Festival in November of 2007. “So it had extra meaning,” Morrison said.
The 18-year-old girl, who was blinded in the April attack and can’t walk or swallow, is undergoing rehabilitation in Sarasota. The girl was about to graduate from East Bay and had a full scholarship to the University of Florida. Morrison said the girl’s sister told them that the girl and her mother watched the event on television from their room.
Her care costs $30,000 a month and Medicaid recently notified the girl’s family that it would only pay for her medical care until August 15.
The girl’s 16-year-old assailant, Kendrick Morris, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, aggravated and sexual battery. He has pled guilty and is awaiting trial in Orient Road Jail.
For more information, call Morrison at 645-3808 or send an e-mail to ruskinchamber@earthlink.net.
For those who did not make the event, but still wish to contribute, a fund has been set-up for the teenager at SunTrust Bank. To contribute, go to any SunTrust Bank branch and request the money go to the Bloomingdale Library Assault Fund.
Other events are being planned across the community with all funds going directly to the care of the girl, whose name and identity has remained private.