Race Is On for Honorary Mayor of Brandon

Who will become the next honorary mayor of Brandon, adding to a list of community notables that started with Nat Storms' "election" in 1959? That will depend on who raises the most money for charity in a series of fundraisers now through the Fourth of July.

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

Starting each year in June, candidates for the honorary post host fundraisers for their designated charities. The candidate who has raised the most money as of the morning of July 4 is declared Brandon's newest honorary mayor. Proceeds from the fundraisers go to the Community Roundtable, which organizes the annual Fourth of July parade and honorary mayor's race, and to the candidates' sponsoring organizations and selected charities and not-for-profit organizations.

Lee 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.

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.

Below is a list of fundraiser to date for both candidates. More events are possible.

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FUNDRAISING EVENTS FOR HONORARY MAYOR HOPEFUL B. LEE ELAM

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

• June 23 — ECHO will host a Putt-Putt Tournament at in Riverview, 12910 Boyette Road. 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.

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FUNDRAISING EVENTS FOR HONORARY MAYOR HOPEFUL GAY LYNN LOVE

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

• June 12 — Love will host a Ladies' Movie Night, "What to Expect When You're Expecting," at AMC The Regency 20 in Brandon. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. movie. The cost is $20 and includes 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

• June 16  — Residents are invited to a sporting clay shoot at , 13505 Hobson Simmons Road, 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). For more information, call: 813-546-1321. Presale tickets may be purchased in advance at:

Love's Goodyear- 1701 State Rd. 60 E., Valrico
Patriot Arms - 221 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon

• 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.

• 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.