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July 2024
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PARADE GRAND MARSHAL B. LEE ELAM HEART GALLERY OF TAMPA REFLECTS ON BRANDON MEMORIES HELPS KIDS FIND THEIR FOREVER HOME By Linda Chion
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One of Brandon’s agency, would inm o s t - d e c o ra t e d vite kids to feast on citizens took his grilled hot dogs and turn as grand marhamburgers and shal for the Greatwatch the parade er Brandon Fourth from the lawn outof July Parade, an side his offices. event that honoree Elam said he is B. Lee Elam, a Key the last living of the Citizen and Alice B. first four attorneys Tompkins Commu- Grand Marshal B. Lee Elam, before the start of the in Brandon, encournity Service Award 2024 Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade, with aged by Stowers to recipient, called a Rotary District 6890 Governor Chevon Baccus. move from Clair-Mel formidable “celebration of community.” to Brandon. Long retired, Elam remains a The parade started at the corner of Lums- member of the Brandon Rotary Club, where den Road and Parsons Avenue, where Elam at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center once maintained his law practice and large on Kings Avenue he still makes time for his outdoor sign, used often to spread town enduring poker club. news. Known as “Lee’s sign,” it still stands, As for the parade, “I like the size of it, the used by its now-owner, the Reed & Reed law fact that it’s been ongoing for so long and firm. that we’re continuing the tradition for the Elam, with Rotary District 6890 Gover- parade in Brandon,” Elam said. He said it’s nor Chevon Baccus, rode the 2024 parade in great that after a scaled-down effort during cool fashion, with burning memories of the the COVID-19 years, the newly formed 67-year-old parade’s early days. He rode in Greater Brandon Action Network (GBAN) an EV Hummer driven by his grandson, Joey has taken on parade duties formerly carried White, courtesy of fellow Rotarian Roger out by the Presidents Roundtable of Greater Rivard, owner of Rivard Buick GMC. With Brandon Charities, more recently known as Elam was his wife, Pat; his grandson, Zach- the Community Roundtable. ary White; and his great-grandson, Joey For that, Elam gives high praise to Lisa White III. The Hummer was accompanied Rodriguez, a past Roundtable board memby a “Rotary”-wrapped car, from which Bac- ber and now GBAN president. She is the cus waved to the crowd. longtime widow of Sandy Rodriguez, who At the Lumsden and Parsons intersection with his wife worked for years in communifor years, Elam would host the preparade ty affairs, including helping to establish the morning ritual that determined that year’s Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association. Brandon honorary mayor, given to the can- The center shares space with the Brandon didate who raised the most money in June Regional Library at 619 Vonderburg Dr. for nonprofits. The winner would be anElam said Sandy is his friend and biggest nounced on Lee’s sign. client, and Lisa, a past Brandon honorary Nat Storms was the first honorary mayor, mayor and Key Citizen and Tompkins awards and Jorgie Franks is the latest honoree, with recipient, earns deep respect from him as a no race held in 2024. Dick Stowers, a funeral tireless civic leader. director born on July 4 and the namesake of “Lisa has been everything that a commuthe elementary school in Lithia, would walk nity could ask for,” Elam said. “She’s always the State Road 60 parade route while greet- been involved in everything that’s helpful to ing kids in a clown costume sporting a red Brandon, and her daughter, and my godnose. Years later, Elam, through an adoption daughter, Kaia Leigh, is right there with her.”
By Lily Belcher
The Heart Gallery of Tampa hosts informational sessions to help families starting the adoption process.
The Heart Galing to start the lery of Tampa is adoption process a bubble of hope on Zoom. The for kids in the next event is on foster care sysSaturday, Autem, featuring gust 24. professional por“What’s realtraits of children ly special about looking for a new the Heart Gallery home and forever is it’s very posfamily. The Heart Gallery of Tampa features professional por- itive,” Hermida The Heart Galsaid. traits of kids looking for new families. lery, founded over two decades ago, was Hermida said the gallery is a positive the passion project of a photographer and bubble that provides a glimmer of hope a social worker looking to help kids get ad- within a very sad foster care system filled opted. with kids who have survived trauma and Posting photos in a local gallery helped bad situations. showcase the faces of kids up for adoption. “And despite all of that, they still have After the first girl was adopted as a result this hope that they’re going to find a family of being featured in the gallery, the project and that they’re going to have a better life,” took off. she said. “So, then it was like this ‘aha’ moment In addition to highlighting the kids lookthat these kids need to be seen,” Lindsay ing for a new family, the Heart Gallery colHermida, Heart Gallery of Tampa executive lects donations to support activities, such director, said. “And the community needs as proms, baseball games and birthday to know that they’re here and that they’re parties, for kids. waiting.” For more information on the Heart GalThrough the gallery, Hermida and her lery of Tampa, to donate or to register team have helped educate the community for one of its informational sessions, visit and raise awareness for the kids who need https://heartgallerytampa.org/. To learn help finding a family. more, call 813-930-5345. The Heart Gallery of Tampa features those in the system who may have a more difficult time getting adopted, such as large sibling groups, kids with medical needs and 1VOICE SUMMER CAMP ................PG 3 teenagers. ANGEL FOUNDATION ........... ...........PG 9 “There’s just a lot of preconceived notions and myths and things like that about foster BACKPACK HEROS ................ .........PG 10 care and about the process,” Hermida said. BRANDON MASONS.......................PG 24 The Heart Gallery of Tampa began host- EYE ON BUSINESS...................PG 32-33 ing informational sessions for families look-
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