Honorary Mayor Candidates Plan Fundraisers

A 50-year-old tradition is alive and well in Brandon as two candidates toss their hats in the ring to become the community's next honorary mayor.

Vying for the honorary position are Brandon attorney B. Lee Elam and Gay Lynn Love who owns Love's Tire and Service Center Inc., on State Road 60 in Valrico, with her husband, Scott.

Each June, candidates for the honory post host fundraisers for their designated charities. The candidate who has raised the most money on the morning of July 4 is declared Brandon's new honorary mayor. Proceeds from the fundraisers go to the Community Roundtable, which organizes the annual Fourth of July parade and honorary mayor's race, the candidate's sponsoring organization and the nonprofits designated by the candidates.

Lee, Brandon's first attorney, is a longtime community activist who has been involved with the founding of the Bill Carey Boys & Girls Club in Brandon, is a longtime member of the Brandon Rotary Club and is active with the Community Roundtable. Elam also sponsors the annual B. Lee Elam Golf Tournament each spring, which raises funds for the mayor's race.

He said his goal in running for mayor this year is to collect as much money as he can for Brandon's nonprofits.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Brandon, Elam's chosen nonprofits are the Bill Carey Boys & Girls Club, the Brandon Service League Scholarship Fund and the Emergency Care Help Organization.

Love said she was motivated to enter the race for honorary mayor of Brandon by her daughter, who has Type 1 diabetes. The longtime Valrico business owner has chosen three nonprofits to benefit from her campaign: the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Cancer Society and the , which is Love's sponsoring organization.

Elam has planned two fundraising events this month including:

Friday, June 22--the Brandon Service League will host Lee's Bunco Babes for Brandon at the Masonic Lodge, 203 N. Moon Ave., Brandon, at 7 p.m. Admission is $20. Contact Zana Turner at 813-689-1404.

Saturday, June 23--ECHO will host a Putt-Putt Tournament at in Riverview, 12910 Boyette Rd. The cost is $60 per golfer and includes lunch from Chick-fil-A at Lake Brandon Village. To register, call Randy Olinger at 813-778-1874.

Love hosted a kick-off party Saturday, June 2. She has also scheduled several fundraising events throughout the month:

Tuesday, June 12--Love will host a Ladies' Movie Night, "What to Expect When You're Expecting," at AMC Regency 20 Theatres in brandon. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the movie begins at 7 p.m. The cost is $20 and includes the movie, dinner, desserts, drinks and popcorn.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available at
- 1701 State Rd. 60 E., Valrico
- 11325 Causeway Blvd., Brandon
- 2097 S. Kingsway Rd., Seffner
- 900 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Brandon
- 221 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon

Saturday, June 16 -- Residents are invited to a sporting clay shoot at , 13505 Hobson Simmons Rd., Lithia. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The clay shoot includes 50 clays, ear protection and a barbecue and beer lunch. Those participating will have a chance to win prizes including a ride on the Goodyear Blimp.

The cost is $60 per person or $300 for a corporate sponsorship (includes entry for four shooters and advertisement the day of the event).

Presale tickets may be purchased in advance at:
Love's Goodyear- 1701 State Rd. 60 E., Valrico
Patriot Arms - 221 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon

Call Chloe' Love for more information at 813-546-1321

Saturday, June 23--The Brandon Family YMCA, 3097 S. Kingsway Rd., Seffner, will host a Corporate and Family Fitness Challenge. This event, starting at 6 p.m., will bring companies throughout the  area together for some competitive play followed by a social hour with food and drinks.

Saturday, June 30--Residents are invited to a retro '70s theme party at the Winthrop Barn Theatre on Bloomingdale Avenue starting at 7 p.m. The event will feature raffles, '70s music, games, food and a cash bar.

There's a $10 cover charge at the door or you can purchase a ticket in advance at:

Love's Goodyear- 1701 State Rd. 60 E., Valrico
Chick-fil-A - 11325 Causeway Blvd., Brandon
The Brandon Family YMCA - 2097 S. Kingsway Rd., Seffner
The Osprey Observer - 900 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Brandon.