Former Brandon ‘Mayor” Pre-Books for Next ‘Charity Chicks’ Cruise

By D’Ann White

The Charity Chicks are on the move again.

On the heels of a successful cruise in May, the local ladies are making plans for next year's cruise.

A pre-cruise booking party is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19, at The Bridges, 11202 Dewhurst Drive in Riverview, off Bloomingdale Avenue, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Those attending will be treated to drinks and appetizers as well as information about the the 2012 cruise.

Charity Chicks was founded by Tammy Holmberg, civic activist, owner of the Lake Brandon Village Chick-fil-A and 2008-09 honorary mayor of Brandon.

"I started having ladies events to raise money for local charities while I was honorary mayor in 2008-09," said Holmberg. "After much success with Ladies Movie Nights and seeing how much everyone enjoyed the fellowship, that the events were always a sell-out, and we were able to raise money and awareness for local charities, I knew had to do more."

Holmberg said the idea of a ladies-only weekend cruise started with an invitation from a friend to see if she was interested in using a cruise for a fundraiser.

"After the presentation, I immediately started planning our first Chicks Cruise for May of 2010," said Holmberg. "I needed a name for the group and, since I own a Chick-fil-A and it was for women only, I came up with the name 'Chicks for Charity.'"

At that time, Holmberg was president of the board of the nonprofit Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Center in Brandon , so she chose Center Place's children's art programs to be the recipient of the charity cruise proceeds.

"I needed ladies to go with me and began to promote this cruise at other events, like bunco, movie nights, etc...," said Holmberg.

Chicks for Charities now has it own e-mail address,chicksforcharities@gmail.com, and a facebook page.

"As of today, we have an e-mail list of over 350 ladies and about 150 facebook friends," said Holmberg. "There are no meetings or dues to pay. We are just a local group of women who like to have fun while FUNraising for local charities."

On the first cruise in 2010, 67 ladies attended and raised $2,000 for Center Place's children's art programs.

The second cruise in May attracted 150 women and raised $5,650 for the YMCA's Building Strong Kids Campaign.

"For our third annual cruise in May 2012, we have room for 300 ladies and would like to raise $10,000 for A Kids Place emergency foster care facility in Brandon," said Holmberg.

At the July 19 pre-cruise booking party, Charity Chicks will accept $100 refundable deposits for the 2012 ladies-only cruise.

For more information, e-mail Charity Chicks.