Riverview/Apollo Beach
6
June 2023
Volume 21, Issue 6
2
Ph: 813-657-2418
CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
LOCAL TEEN JASMIN CONTINUES RIVERVIEW MOM WINS NEW JEEP RENEGADE FOR MOTHER’S DAY RECOVERY AFTER TRAGIC CRASH By Lily Belcher IN MEXICO CLAIMS PARENTS A Riverview After readBy Lily Belcher
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
Postal Customer
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PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2118
Almost a year “The funds after she bethat we have came the sole raised help tosurvivor of a wards any medfatal car crash ications and in Mexico last any extra little summer, Jasmin equipment and Cervantes-Gareven her wantcia is proving to ing to go out be the fighter to eat because her family alshe’s a big foodready knew she ie now,” said was. Cruz. “… Now Jasmin Cervantes-Garcia’s brothers have helped her on The 13-yearshe’s starting her road to recovery. old suffered to want to be traumatic brain injuries in social and go out and not a head-on collision during be in bed all day or in the their annual trip to Mexhouse alone.” ico that hospitalized her Cruz said he saw a for four months. change in Jasmin around Now, with the support the holidays because she of her four older brothers, was able to be around including Cruz Cervantes, her extended family and Jasmin has improved imlots of activity. Jasmin mensely. has also improved enough “We’ve been fighting, to better communicate going to therapies, doing when she wants to go out everything we can as far Jasmin Cervantes-Garcia has now thanks to the help of as making Jasmin’s life a speech and physical thercontinued to improve since little easier and letting surviving a head on collision in apy. Mexico last summer. her know she’s not alone, A GoFundMe page is despite losing her parents and grandpar- still actively collecting donations to supents,” said Cruz. port Jasmin’s therapies and to help her Jasmin has always been an active and brother while he stays home with Jassociable person. She loved dancing, play- min. ing volleyball and spending time with “From my family, myself and Jasmin, her family. Following the accident, Cruz we just want to say thank you to everyquit his job as a crane operator in order one who has had Jasmin in their prayers to devote his time to caring for his little and have thought about her and anysister. body and everybody who has helped in Since the accident, Jasmin has been any way, shape or form,” said Cruz. homeschooled, and her brother is hoping To help Jasmin and her family, memshe will return to school soon. While she bers of the community can donate to may not be able to play volleyball yet, their GoFundMe at www.gofundme. she has found a new passion for food com/f/bring-jasmin-home-and-mediand eating out. cal-expenses.
Come out and cool off in the Apollo Beach Park & Recreation Center splash pad. For the second year in a row, Hillsborough County has been honored as one of the top parks and recreation programs in the country. For the complete article, see page 12.
mom was suring over prised with a 15,000 nominew 2022 Jeep nations across Renegade ahead the country, of Mother’s Day Shayla’s nomafter winning ination was a nationwide the one that contest hosted stuck with the by RNR Tire Exteam. press. “In a way, Mother of two I kind of feel and Air Force a little undeveteran Shayla Riverview resident Shayla Deppen was given a 2022 Jeep serving, but Deppen showed Renegade in the seventh annual Mother’s Day giveaway I’m just truly up to RNR Tire thankful beby RNR Tire Express. Express thinkcause I know ing her husband there are a lot just needed a of deserving new tire for his mothers, so I car. But, as they just want to say pulled up to the happy Mother’s store off U.S. Day to all the Highway 60, mothers,” said the balloons and Shayla. crowd of people This was RNR clued her into Tire Express’s the fact that seventh annual something else Mother’s Day Riverview resident Shayla Deppen was surprised with was going on. giveaway. The a new Jeep Renegade after her husband nominated her “I’m shocked. annual contest for a nationwide competition. I’m grateful. I gives the comjust can’t believe it,” said Shayla. pany a chance to recognize the hardShayla’s husband, Marine veteran Den- working mothers in their communities nis Deppen, nominated her for the compe- and give back to the customers they tition, explaining how his wife has served serve. her country, community and family. After “I’m so grateful RNR Tire honored my separating from the Air Force to raise a wife because not only now do I know family, Shayla supported her husband in what an amazing mother she is, RNR Tire his career and gave back to her neigh- has given me the opportunity to share borhood and military family. Shayla goes what an amazing mother she is to the enon walks with a plastic bag to pick up tire world,” said Dennis. garbage around their community, hosts For more information on RNR Tire Exdinners for other Marines and brought press, visit https://rnrtires.com/. snacks and water to a senior center after Hurricane Ian. “It’s tough, but we really look for heartfelt, meaningful nominations that really explain a mother who goes above DUFFELS OF DIGNITY .....................PG 3 and beyond. And it’s hard, but there are MOTORING TAMPA BAY ................PG 5 so many deserving women. We narrow it 2023 VALEDICTORIANS............. PG 14 down to a few and just go with our gut,” said national marketing director Candace EYE ON BUSINESS..........................PG 25 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT..........PG 37 Lovett about the selection process.
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