Valrico Edition
October 2021
Page 3
ECHO SEEKS SPANISH-SPEAKING DISTRICT 4 COUNTY COMMISSIONER VOLUNTEERS TO ADD TO SERVICES STACY WHITE RECEIVES REPUBLICAN By Michelle Caceres When Brandon us serve our neighresident Julie Bills bors to the best of found herself unable our ability,” said to work because of Thompson. an automobile acVolunteers work cident, she sought Monday-Friday, 9 ways to fill her days a.m.-1 p.m., and are with activities that asked to commit would bring purpose to at least one day to her life. a week working at She found that either the Brandon purpose as a volun(507 N. Parsons Dr.) teer at Emergency or Riverview (7807 Care Help Organiza- Brandon resident Julie Bills volunteers at ECHO in Capitano St.) location (ECHO), where tion. New volunteers the ECHO Clothing Closet one day a week. she volunteers once are asked to attend a a week in the ECHO brief New Volunteer Clothing Closet by Orientation, which helping neighbors find are offered once a suitable clothing for month at its Brandon their lifestyles. office. “I love giving back to the community Assistance is needed in several departand serving neighbors in need,” she said. “I ments, including its opportunity center, might not get a paycheck, but every time I which provides job coaching, GED help, see someone smile, especially during these financial workshops and one-on-one tuchallenging times, because I’ve helped toring, and its advocacy program to help them brings me such joy.” neighbors connect to local resources. In Brandon Center Director Savanna its Riverview outreach center, volunteers Thompson is thankful for Bills and all of are needed to fill greeter positions, helping ECHO’s volunteers but said they’re always neighbors needing assistance feel welcome in need of able bodies to help fulfill the or- as the organization’s first point of contact. ganization’s mission of assisting residents “If you have time, please consider volof Hillsborough County with emergency unteering at ECHO,” said Thompson. “Volfood, clothing and access to life-stabilizing unteers help our neighbors find stability programs and resources. in their lives and we can’t do this without One critical need is bilingual volunteers. them.” Approximately half of the neighbors ECHO For more information about ECHO or serves are more comfortable speaking about volunteering at the organization, Spanish than English, but only 10 percent visit www.echofl.org and click on the label of ECHO’s volunteers can speak and under- at the top of the page titled ‘Get Involved’ stand Spanish. or contact Thompson at 685-0935, ext. “Having bilingual volunteers will help 8002.
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LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
By Makenzie Atkins
Stacy White, Hillsborough County commissioner, was awarded with the Legislator of the Year Award recently by the Hillsborough County Republican Party. White received the award at this year’s Lincoln Day Dinner, hosted by the Hillsborough County Republican Party. The annual Lincoln Day Dinner was held on August 27 and recognized many of those in the Republican Party as well as hosting a guest speaker, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Stacy White receives the Legislator of the Year Award at the 2021 Lincoln Day Dinner. Greene. goal to be a servant leader in my comWhite is a member of the Republican Party who is currently serv- munity—to work hard and do what is ing on the Hillsborough County Board of right,” said White. “Sometimes this Commissioners. White represents Dis- leads to being recognized with an trict 4, which includes Balm, Brandon, award, and it is a tremendous honor Dover, Lithia, Plant City, Riverview, Sun when this happens.” Some of the commissioner’s duties City Center, Wimauma, Ruskin and Valinclude Agency on Bay Management, rico. Aviation Authority, Hillsborough River White is a fifth-generation native of Interlocal Planning Board, MetropoliHillsborough County and currently lives tan Planning Organization and the Tamin Valrico with his family. He graduatpa Bay Estuary Program Policy Board. ed from East Bay High School and then White enjoys working for the commuwent on to earn his bachelor’s and masnity as a leader and pushing to do good. ter’s degrees at the University of FlorHe has always been a hard worker and ida (UF). Spending a lot of time at UF, strives to continue to do right by the he is a practicing pharmacist as well as community he loves. a clinical assistant professor of pharFor more information, please contact macy. White is no stranger to winning Megan Nixon, senior legislative aid for awards, as in 2006, UF recognized him White, at nixonm@hillsboroughcounty. by naming him the Roche Preceptor of org. Reach out the Hillsborough County the Year in an Outpatient Setting. Republican Party through its website, “I don’t wake up every day seeking https://www.hillsborough.gop/contact. ways to win awards. Rather, it is my
