The Race is On to Become Brandon's Next Honorary Mayor

Two area civic activists will host fundraising events throughout the month as part of their bid to become Brandon's next honorary mayor.

Valrico resident Barbara Schwabe, current president of Center Place and vice president of Fred Schwabe & Associates, and River Hills resident Cami Gibertini, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon and senior vice president of USAmeribank on Kings Avenue, will battle it out for the honorary post.

It's a tradition that dates back to 1959 when longtime Brandon resident Nat Storms served as Brandon's first honorary mayor.

The honorary mayor appears at ribbon-cuttings and civic functions throughout the year. More importantly, those running for honorary mayor of Brandon host events throughout the month of June to raise funds for their designated charities.

Sponsored by Center Place, Schwabe will raise funds for Center Place, a nonprofit arts center at 619 Vonderburg Drive.

Gibertini is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and her charities are the Emergency Care Help Organization and the Brandon area YMCAs.

The candidate who raises the most money for their charities between June 1 and July 4 is declared the new mayor on the morning of the Brandon Fourth of July Parade.

Ten percent of the funds raised during the mayoral campaigns go to the Community Roundtable to help finance the annual Fourth of July parade in Brandon. Another 10 percent goes to the candidates' sponsoring organization and the remainder of the funds are divvied up among the charities.

Schwabe will launch her campaign with a "Wing-It with Barbara" event June 1 at Beef O'Brady's on Kings Avenue at 5:30 p.m. when a portion of the sales will go toward her campaign. Schwabe also will sell 50/50 raffle tickets that evening.

Her campaign continues Friday, June 3, with a Men's Club Sip and Puff event at Center Place starting at 6 p.m. Gentlemen are invited to an evening of cigars, scotch and bourbon plus food. There will be a silent auction featuring hunting, fishing, golf and sports items. The cost is $25.

Schwabe will follow up with Barbara's Movie Night at AMC the Regency 20 in Brandon. The ladies night out will feature a pre-movie social with a pink champagne fountain, dinner, dessert, popcorn, soda, a 50/50 and raffle items. The chick flick will be announced. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available at Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon. The cost is $20 per person. Doors open at 7 p.m.

On Friday, June 17, Schwabe will host a Wines & Designs event at Center Place starting at 6:30 p.m. Guests will create a hand-painted wine glass or beer stein while enjoying wine and dinner. All supplies are included. The cost is $30 per person or $50 per couple.

Join Schwabe for an evening of Bunco for the Arts Thursday, June 23, at 6 p.m., at Center Place. No experience is necessary to play the game of dice and luck. In addition to conversation and friendly competition, there will be refreshments and a 50/50 raffle. At the end of the evening, five prizes will be awarded. The cost is $15 per person.

Schwabe will conclude her campaign fundraising efforts Sunday, June 26, at 3 p.m. at Center Place with Barbara's High Tea and Fashion Show. Ladies are encouraged to wear their best hats and attend the event, which will feature fashions from Downtown Divas, accessories from The Green Boutique, selected teas by The Tea Cup tea room, a silent auction and 50/50. The cost is $35 per person or $250 for a table sponsor.

All tickets are available at Center Place. For more information, visit Schwabe's page at www.centerplacebrandon.org.

Gibertini, who is also a member of the Emergency Care Help Organization's board of directors and a senior advisory board member of the Campo Family Y, will kick off her fundraising efforts Wednesday, June 1, with a Mall Crawl event at Westfield Brandon from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For $30, supporters will enjoy food from Sinigual, CPK, Ruby Tuesday, The Brass Tap, Ryuu and Grillsmith.

On Sunday, June 5, Gibertini will host the Mayor’s Fun Run 5K at 8 a.m. The $20 registration fee will include a T-shirt and snack.

A Girls Night Out at the movies will take place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, at AMC the Regency 20 in Brandon featuring the movie, “Something Borrowed.” The $25 ticket price includes food and drink.

On Saturday, June 18, supporters are invited to Cami’s Combat Challenge at the Campo Y from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. For $20, including a T-shirt and snack, participants will take a body combat class.

Cami’s Clay Shoot will take place on Thursday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at FishHawk Sporting Clays in Lithia. For $100, participants will also get lunch.

For more information, visit Cami for Mayor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cami4mayor.