Bloomingdale/FishHawk
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Bloomingdale Resident Receives Lightning Community Hero Award
By Kate Quesada
Pam Stamey of Home Makers of Hope was named a Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero last month. She is asking for residents’ help in expanding the number of families her charity can reach.
linens, kitchen equipment and decorative pieces. By the time we leave, the house is feeling like a home.” Thanks to generous donations from businesses and residents, Stamey states that the charity’s biggest need is not currently furniture, although they will always accept donations. “We have a warehouse of items and a great network on donors,” she said. “What we really need are volunteers to help us deliver the items to the families.” The charity helped 255 families last year and currently has a waiting list of six months with more than 45 families on it. “We need more truck drivers, warehouse workers, interior designers and people with a passion for changing lives,” said Stamey. Home Makers of Hope currently has three teams serving different areas of Hillsborough County and Stamey is hoping to soon add a fourth dedicated to helping pregnant women. But she cannot do this without more volunteers. “At this time, we set up six to eight families a week, but with help we can do so many more,” she said. For more information on Home Makers of Hope, visit www.homemakersofhope.com. On the website, residents can request a pickup for items, make a monetary donation and learn more about volunteering. Donations can also be dropped off on Tuesdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the group’s warehouse located at 2900 B E. 7th Ave. in Ybor City.
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FishHawk Pinch-A-Penny Big Green Eggfest Benefits Canine Memorial
By Kathy L. Collins
The Ninth being used takes Annual Big images from aeriGreen Eggfest al photos with will be a momenexact measuretous one for ments and allows FishHawk Pinchcustomers to A-Penny owners input the tile, Larry, Kathy and pavers and pool Jimmy Rutledge. surface they Eggfest will be want and allows held on them to see what The Rutledge family Saturday, April the ultimate out(shown on right) are 13 from 10 a.m. come would look joining forces with members of the motorcycle group, Nam Knights, like. to 3 p.m. at fund a campaign to build a Canine Memorial 16715 FishHawk towhich When you will be installed at the Sheriff’s Office. Blvd. in the Winn are ready for the Dixie Plaza in Lithia. remodel, Larry will take care of everyThe Rutledges invite the community thing. “If you have a complaint or probto come enjoy Eggfest and celebrate the lem, you can come to me,” said Larry. Grand Reopening of the store, which Jimmy said, “When you have an issue now includes a Design Center. with your pool and you call us, we will At Eggfest, cooking teams from the come out and fix it.” area will be on hand to show off what FishHawk Pinch-A-Penny is your they can do on a Big Green Egg. In addi- one stop shop for everything you need tion, there will be live music, ice cream for your backyard paradise. You can courtesy of Cold Stone Creamery and count on personal service from the children’s activities, including a bouncy Rutledge family. Larry said, “There is house. Attendees can vote for their nothing like this in the area.” Larry favorite recipe and be entered into a rafadded, “We guarantee your happiness fle to win a Big Green Egg Mini Max. and satisfaction.” For a donation of $10, you get entry For information, call 655-3700. into Eggfest, three vote tickets and one raffle ticket. You get to taste what is prepared by the cooking teams and enjoy a InThis really fun event. FishHawk Pinch-AIssue Penny has been elevated to Platinum Dealership level. INFANT/CHILD SWIM LESSONS..........PG 3 All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Canine Unit of the PEPIN’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY ...........PG 11 Hillsborough Sheriff’s Department. 9TH ANNUAL CRAWFISH FESTIVAL..PG 17 Larry is helping the motorcycle group, Nam Knights, put together a camIMPACTS GOT TALENT .....................PG 20 paign to build a Canine Memorial, which SUN ‘n FUN ......................................PG 25 will be installed at the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office. CHALKLINES....................................PG 40 The new Design Center is a state-ofFAMILY EASTER FUN .......................PG 44 the-art showroom where customers, who want to remodel their pool, can visualize SPORTS CONNECTION ....................PG 46 their dream of a pool paradise on a big screen. Gone are the days when you READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE had to imagine what the pool would like www.ospreyobserver.com using only small samples. The software
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Bloomingdale resident Pam Stamey and her charity Home Makers of Hope received some well-deserved recognition last month. Stamey was named The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Community Hero at a game in early March, granting the charity $50,000, but she is now asking for help making an even bigger impact with the money. Home Makers of Help is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing essential furnishings and household items to families struggling with poverty. “We help people who are truly poor and can change their lives in an hour with our donations,” said Stamey. The group receives donations of furniture and other household items and passes them on to people, referred to them by 30 local schools and agencies, who cannot afford to purchase the items themselves. “When we go in, we find families without beds, kitchenware, couches or tables,” said Stamey. “They are sleeping and eating on the floor. We are able to help by providing these items as well as
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April 2019 Volume 18, Issue 4 Ph: 657-2418
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LITHIA
“The Bloomingdale Senior High School choir’s last performance of its trip took place at the Church of St. Nicholas on the Old Town Square in Prague—beautiful! It’s the most famous Baroque church in Prague, and Mozart played the organ here during one of his visits. The chorus closed the performance singing its Bloomingdale Alma Mater!” said chorus parent, Cheryl Kehrmeyer. See the full article in next month’s Bloomingdale/FishHawk edition.
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