Hometown Honorees: Citizens With Brandon Ties Give, Reap Awards

It's never out of season to give thanks to the people who work on the job and with civic and community organizations to help build a Greater Brandon.

There's no shortage of mediums through which the effort can by duly noted, and the kudos abundantly given, so post your thanks in the comment box below and spread the news yourself, with your social media links.

Give us word, too, of the hometown honorees you'd like to see duly noted in our next update.

SHERIFF DAVID GEE: PATRIOTIC EMPLOYER

Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee has been awarded the Patriotic Employer Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an organization of the U.S. Department of Defense. Gee received the award in October.

Sheriff Gee annually hosts a luncheon for the men and women of his office who wear two uniforms, with the office and on active duty or as military reservists, the so-called “double-duty” officer. (Related Coverage: .)

Gee, a 1977 graduate of Brandon High School, was inducted into the alumni association's hall of fame in 2005.

TAMMY HOLMBERG: YMCA ADVOCATE

Former Honorary Mayor of Brandon Tammy Holmberg received the Laurie Ellis Mission Advocate Award in November, at the Corks ‘n Forks fundraiser at the Campo Family YMCA in Valrico.

Holmberg owns the , with her husband, Paul. Holmberg is no stranger to community support, in attendance with donations and offerings at many civic and charitable events.

The Laurie Ellis Mission Advocate Award is given to a volunteer of the Greater Brandon area YMCA’s who serves as an “active ambassador, representing the efforts and vision of the Y and promoting the healthy development of mind, body and spirit both personally and to the community,” according to an Osprey Observer news account of the award.

JENNIFER MUPRHY: YMCA CAMPO LEADER

Also at the YMCA's November fundraiser, Jennifer Murphy received the Ray Campo Leadership Award, for “extraordinary leadership and dedicated service to the Y’s mission and inititiatives.”

WALMART MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES AID ECHO

Walmart managers Matt DeJesus, Sean Riley, Peter Peck and Aaron Powell, along with Stacey Efaw, executive director of the Emergency Care Help Organization () in Brandon, are noted in an Osprey Observer news article about $7,000 worth of grants awarded to ECHO this year on behalf of seven area Walmarts.

DeJesus is manager of the Walmart Supercenter on Brandon Boulevard. Riley, manager of the Walmart Supercenter on Causeway Boulevard, is a member of the Rotary Club of Brandon. Powell, manager of the newly opened Walmart Neighborhood Market on Lithia Pinecrest Road, are Peck, manager of the Walmart at Blooomingdale Avenue and Bell Shoals Road, are members of the Rotary Club of Brandon South. (Related Covearge: .)

Efaw recognized that beyond the grants, Walmart donates items such as socks and underwear on a weekly basis. "These donations have saved ECHO thousands and allow us to use the money [saved] to provide our clients with nutritious food that needs to be obtained on a weekly basis," Efaw is quoted as saying.

"With the help of companies such as Walmart we are able to do so much more for the needy," Efaw said. "This is good especially now, in a time when the need continues to grow."  

______________

CALL-OUT TO THE COMMUNITY: Post your congratulatory note to the hometown honorees in the comment box below. Let us know, too, if you have an honoree you'd like to be duly noted on Brandon Patch.