Osprey Observer 2018-4 Brandon/Winthrop by Osprey Observer

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NFL Players Bring Charity & Friends To Visit Kids At Brandon Regional

By Nick Nahas

can do anything that you want to.” According to the website, the DRC Foundation provides opportunities to disadvantaged youth through programs and events that address the educational needs, social elements, and economic hardship of young people and families in underserved communities. Photos Courtesy of Nancy Nahas

Corey Coleman interacting with a young fan at Brandon Hospital.

Shaquill (right) and Shaquem Griffin partaking in fun activities.

The former NFL 1st-round pick has a scholarship fund which awards a scholarship to a student-athlete from the Bradenton area. He also partakes in several other programs that help underprivileged youth, such as his Holiday Program and the Dreambuilders program that provides essential nutrition to kids in need in the New York City area, and it also supports the St. Jude’s Research Hospital, and its efforts to find cures and save children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. An 11-year NFL veteran, RodgersCromartie is currently a free agent and wants to sign with another team to continue playing in the NFL. For more information, or if you would like to donate to his cause, you can visit his website at DRCFoundation.org.

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Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, former New York Giants cornerback, visited Brandon Regional Hospital on April 7 to spend time with kids in the hospital. He and a few of his NFL friends joined the children in doing artwork and visiting with them. Rodgers-Cromartie said he wanted to celebrate his 32nd birthday by doing something meaningful for the community. He played football at Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton and later went on to play college football at Tennessee State. Players that were a part of the festivities include Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman, Ravens safety Anthony Levine, Cowboys defensive end Damontre’ Moore and twin brothers, UCF standout Shaquem Griffin and Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Rodgers-Cromartie also put together a celebrity basketball tournament in Palmetto to raise money for his charity, the DRC Foundation. “It means a lot,” said Rodgers-Cromartie. “Any time you can come back and have a platform, I think you should always use it and be a part of the community, and let everybody know that if you believe in yourself, you

April 2018 Volume 13, Issue 4 Ph: 657-2418 P O S I T I V E

C O M M U N I T Y

ECHO Breakfast Fundraising Success Helps Make Riverview Location Possible

By Libby Hopkins

pledging over $35,000 Virginia Woolf over the next five years. once said, “One can“We had a wonderful not think well, love presenting sponsor in well, sleep well, if one Brandon Legal Group,” has not dined well.” Saunders said. “ ECHO has been helpThe money raised ing residents of the at this year’s breakfast Brandon community will go towards launchand beyond live well ing a new ECHO locafor more than 30 tion in Riverview. “Plans years. “We are here are now officially underwhen someone loses way to launch ECHO's their job, gets their second location in hours cut, moves from Riverview,” Saunders another state without a said. plan, or faces eviction,” Saunders and all of said ECHO’s ECHO are so incredibly Executive Director, ECHO of Brandon held their annual thankful for all those Eleanor Saunders. breakfast in March and raised an astounding $90,000. who attended the “ECHO is here to prorecent breakfast and generously gave. “ vide immediate relief.” ECHO gives more ECHO will be their next food drive on clothing per client than any other nonprofit May 12. Non-perishable food items can in Tampa Bay. In addition to clothing, be left in bags next to residents ‘mailboxECHO clients each receive at least 20 es on Saturday, May 12. Postal employpounds of food per family member. Food ees will collect the food on their routes. All that includes fresh meat, eggs, produce, food collected in Brandon, Valrico, cheese, and butter. Seffner, and Riverview will be donated to This past March, ECHO hosted their ECHO. Visit www.echofl.org or call 685annual breakfast. “Our first breakfast was 0935. ECHO is located at 507 N. Parsons held in October 2015,” Saunders said. Ave. in Brandon. “The ECHO Board of Directors and our former Executive Director, Stacey Efaw envisioned an annual fundraising event that would showcase first hand stories, a In This clear presentation of ECHO's vision for Issue the future, and an opportunity for attendees to partner with us in creating a community of hope and stability for neighbors BLOOMINGDALE POSITIVITY..............PG 3 in crisis.” HOA HOT TOPICS ...............................PG 5 This year’s breakfast raised an astounding $90,000 for one morning’s LIGHTNING GRANT ............................PG 6 time. “Yes, $90,000 was raised in one PAINTING FROM THE HEART .............PG 8 morning,” Saunders said. “But, that includes all pledges made over the next GUARDIAN AD LITEM.......................PG 20 five years. When a partner pledged EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 25‐26 $5,000 over the next five years, we were required to count the entire pledge ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT................PG 44 amount. The actual day of netted SUMMER CAMPS ......................PGS 33‐40 $22,000, with the remaining $68,000 coming in on a monthly basis over the SPORTS CONNECTION...............PGS 46‐47 next five years.” ECHO’s Board of READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE Directors came in strong this year as well,

Yia Yia's Greek Salad

Pimento Crunch Sandwich

Bloomingdale High School seniors Tony Alvarez and Gianna Rivera, winners of the Fresh From Florida Student Cook-Off, are headed to the national competition in Kentucky this month. The students served their winning dish, the T&G Burrito, to Florida Fresh Chef Paula Kendrick and Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Eakins last month. Pictured here with Culinary Instructor, Chef Rene Marquis.

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