Valrico
14
July 2022
Volume 19, Issue 7
Ph: 813-657-2418
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
VALRICO RESIDENT LAURA BRAY WORKS TO END THE DRUG SHORTAGE THROUGH ANGELS FOR CHANGE
CAMPO FAMILY YMCA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS WITH A NEW SPLASH PAD By Amy Schechter
By Lily Belcher
Laura Bray hired two new employees and opened an office with a grant from the McKesson Foundation.
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
Photo credit: Gerardo Luna Photography.
Chicks for Charity presents $2,500 donation to Campo YMCA.
For two decades, the Campo Family YMCA has provided an avenue for health, wellness and all-around family fun. On May 31, along with the Greater Riverview and Valrico Fishhawk chambers of commerce and members of the community, the Campo Y celebrated this milestone anniversary with a ribbon-cutting for its much-anticipated splash pad. With the new attraction in the background and Diana Ekonomou, daughter of Ray Campo — for whom the facility is named — looking on, the GRCC 2022 chair of the board, Michael Broussard of The Flying Locksmiths, proclaimed May 31 Campo Family YMCA Day, noting, “It’s time to make a splash!” To celebrate the event, GTE Financial presented a check for over $10,000 as a charitable donation from its employee fundraising efforts in April. Additionally, Tammy Holmberg along with Chicks for Charity donated $2,500 from their Top Gun: Maverick movie night to benefit financial assistance for summer day camps. The new splash pad isn’t the only thing gushing, as staff and patrons cannot get enough of it. Aquatics director Heidi Blair said, “The new splash pad has been fantastic. Our first day open, there were over 60 people there enjoying it. To have
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Angels for Change, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the nationwide drug shortage, will celebrate its three-year anniversary with the annual Champions for Change Gala on Saturday, September 17 at Armature Works. Tickets for the fundraiser will be on sale until the end of September on the website for $125 per person. In June, through the leadership of Chief Change Maker Laura Bray, Angels for Change gave their first grant to a pharmaceutical manufacturer, STAQ Pharma Inc., to end the shortage of concentrated electrolytes that provide vital nutrients to neonatal patients. In just eight weeks, the manufacturer was able to supply over 100,000 doses of the life-saving drug. Angels for Change received a grant from the McKesson Foundation in March that allowed Bray to hire two employees and open an office located off Falkenburg Road. The grant will allow Bray’s mission to improve education on the causes and effects of the nationwide drug shortage. The McKesson Foundation was the recip-
ient of the first annual Drug Shortage Guardian Award. The award, given to the Texas company in 2021, recognized the individuals and organization that worked tirelessly to contribute to the mission of Angels for Change. “They were the helpers that helped 19 families end a drug shortage, and it was the same people who helped every single time at this distribution center that did extraordinary work,” explained Bray about the first recipients. “I think part of our job is to recognize those change m a k e r s throughout all of the U.S. doing everyday work to help patients.” In 2021, Angels for Change joined the End Drug Shortages Alliance as one of the founding members in order to join forces with 91 other organizations to address the causes of the United States’ drug shortage. Bray is also one of the founding board members of the alliance and works alongside pharmacy supply chains and distribution centers to solve the issues. “We are grateful to have Angels for Change join the alliance to end drug shortages,” said Eric Tichy, division chair of pharmacy supply solutions for Mayo Clinic, who serves as the chair for the Alliance Advisory Board. “Collaboration among organizations strengthens our ability to improve the quality of life for patients that rely on these medications. Together, we can make a difference.” To purchase tickets, become a sponsor or donate to Angels for Change, visit the website at angelsforchange.org.
something new and exciting has been amazing.” There really is no comparison. Children can enjoy fun splashing in the water and parents can choose to join in, catch a tan or escape into the shade. In addition to the brand-new splash pad, the Campo YMCA offers a traditional gym with free weights, weight machines and cardio equipment, basketball courts, workout classes, lap/open swimming and swim classes, sports leagues and on-site child care. As a nonprofit, it works yearround to raise funds so that no one is turned away. Health and wellness are for everyone, and the Campo Y seeks to strengthen the community through the services they offer. To inquire about membership assistance or learn more about the Campo Family YMCA, visit its website at www. tampaymca.org, follow it on Facebook, or call 813-684-1371. The Campo Y is located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico.
With an active Hillsborough County library card, residents can receive free tickets to participating museums in the Tampa Bay Area with a Discovery Pass. See article on page 11.
Expires 7/31/2022