Operation Helping Hand Thanks Sheriff

By BARBARA ROUTEN Tribune correspondent

Published: May 10, 2008

BRANDON - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has given "outstanding support to Operation Helping Hand and the active-duty wounded and injured at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center," said retired Army Lt. Col. Robert F. Sawallesh of Valrico, Operation Helping Hand vice chairman.

Operation Helping Hand is a project of the Military Officers Association of America's Tampa chapter, which donates gift certificates, cell phones and money for lodging, travel and other services to recovering veterans and their families.

In late March, retired Navy Capt. Robert J. Silah of Carrollwood, chairman of Operation Helping Hand and immediate past president of the Military Officers of America Association, presented a plaque to Sheriff David Gee, whose department has provided financial and other support for the veterans' program.

The association started the all-volunteer nonprofit Operation Helping Hand four years ago. Officers include retired Air Force Lt. Col. Richard E. Siegman of Valrico, treasurer; retired Navy Cmdr. Stanley J. Ewanowski of Tampa, chief administrator; and retired Army Chief Warrant Officer Thomas E. South of Carrollwood, special projects.

Operation Helping Hand "has provided over $145,000 in cash and checks and $240,000 [worth of] goods in kind for a total of $385,000 to the wounded, injured and their families," Sawallesh said.

The tremendous support in the Tampa Bay area is the reason for the project's great success, Silah said. Donations range from pennies, nickels and dimes from children to cash and checks from the community, he said.

Anyone wishing to donate can send checks to MOAA Operation Helping Hand, P.O. Box 6383, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa FL 33608-0383.

Anti-Drug Program To Hold Tournament

BRANDON - The Brandon Elks Lodge No. 2383 will hold its fifth annual Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs tournament from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 17 at the lake off Gallagher Road south of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Dover.

Children ages 7 through 13 may participate. Prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish and most fish caught in different age categories.

Rods, reels, bait, tackle and refreshments will be provided. All contestants will get a T-shirt, drug-awareness literature and gifts.

To enter, send the name of the child who wishes to participate and his or her accompanying adult, along with the child's age, address and phone number, to Brandon Elks Lodge No. 2383, 800 Centennial Lodge Drive, Brandon FL 33510, or drop off the information at the lodge.

The lodge also invites mothers and their families to the Brandon Ladies of Elks Mother's Day Buffet Breakfast, which will be prepared and served by the lodge's men, from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday.

The cost is $2.50 per mother, $5.50 per other. The price includes all-you-can-eat eggs cooked to order, sauteed mushrooms, peppers, onions, cheese, salsa, bacon, link sausages, grits, hash browns, French toast, biscuits, sausage gravy, fruit cups, coffee and orange juice.

Brandon Newcomers Get History Lesson

BRANDON - Newcomers and established residents who wish to welcome them are invited to the Brandon Newcomers Club's general meeting at 9:30 a.m. May 21 at Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon.

Jo Anderson, past president, will preside. Member Carol Lemon-Eason, a third-generation Floridian who retired from the tourism industry, will share information about the history of Florida. After the meeting, the group will have lunch at Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse at the Westfield Brandon mall.

Other events include:

•Let's Eat Out at 6:30 p.m. May 31 at Formaggio's Italian restaurant, 19531 Boyette Road, Lithia. Call Marta Monk at (813) 684-6215.

•Gal's Night Out at 5:30 p.m. May 29 at Cody's Original Roadhouse, 1414 Brandon Blvd. W., Brandon. For information, call Jeanne Archambault at (813) 684-8249.

•For details about the next Book Club get-together, call Betty Cocchiola at (813) 681-6933.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511; e-mail neighbors@tampabay.rr.com; or call (813) 657-4531.