Best Deals of the Day: ECHO, Brandon Ballet, Brooker Braves, Rajun’ Bulls and More

Looking for the best deal of the day in both shopping and entertainment? Find a steal and kick up your heels by attending one of several March 5 events hosted by local charities and non-profit organizations seeking to raise awareness and funds to serve community needs.

DAYTIME

• Start your day at the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) at 507 North Parsons Avenue in Brandon. There, the food bank and closet’s monthly thrift sale runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help raise funds for perishable food items.  ECHO’s mission is to provide food, clothes and basic household necessities and furnishings to individuals and families struggling through emergency situations up to four times in one liftetime.

• A garage sale for the Brandon Ballet is on tap at the FishHawk Trails community garage sale, March 5 from 8 a.m. to noon. Homeowners participating in the communitywide sale, if it isn’t obvious, also will be hanging balloons on their mailboxes.

• The Bloomingale High School Rajun’ Bull Marching Band hosts its 21st Annual Benefit Auction in the Valrico school’s cafeteria, at 1700 East Bloomingdale Avenue. Viewing of both live and silent auctions begins at 2 p.m. with the auction underway at 3 p.m.  Door prizes, food and a 50/50 raffle on tap as well. The jazz band performs at 2 p.m.

• The annual Brooker Elementary School Spring Fling runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the school grounds, at 812 DeWolf Road in Brandon.

NIGHTTIME

• The arts are alive for members of the not-for-profit Greater Brandon Arts Council, which hosts its Fifth Annual Arty Party Membership Drive at the . The event, from 7 to 10 p.m., features music, dance, theater and the visual arts. Cost to attend is $10, or free with the purchase of a $25 yearly GBAC membership. The event is free for GBAC members. Yearly membership cost for students is $10. Center Place shares space with the Brandon Regional Library in the Sandy Rodriguez Center, at 619 Vonderburg Drive.

• Tradition and mission are the rallying cries of the not-for-profit  as it places its bets on its Fourth Annual Casino Night fundraiser. The not-for-profit Brandon mainstay is hosting the event March 5, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., at the Barn Theatre at Winthrop in Riverview. The black-box theater and special event facility is at 11349 Bloomingdale.