Mayor’s Race Nets $13,000 For Local Charities And Names Winner
By Sharon Still
Each year, the goal of the Apollo Beach Honorary Mayor’s Race is to raise money for the Apollo Beach Chamber and the charity of each candidate’s choice. It also is a way to bring the community together and raise community spirit. This year, CiCi Goodyear, assistant manager of Fifi’s Fine Resale of Apollo Beach, and Sharil Nenarella, co-owner of Hangover’s Boutique, battled it out to see who could raise the most money, each dollar contribution counting as one vote. At the recent Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce annual installation and awards dinner, Nenarella took over the key to the city as the winner of this year’s race and Apollo Beach’s new honorary mayor. “Every year, the goal of the mayor’s race is to outdo last year,” explained chamber President Greg Conley. “These two ladies have exceeded that goal.”Nenarella accepted the key from outgoing Honorary Mayor Joel Brandenburg, owner of the AnaBanana Fishing Company. Brandenburg commented that being honorary mayor over the past year has really been a benefit to his business and his life in general. He added, “Through the recession, oil spills and other issues, this has been my best year ever in business and only possible by being honorary mayor.”Nenarella thanked the community for its support and stated that for once, she was at a loss for words. The duties of the honorary Mayor are to attend ribbon cuttings and be a representative for the community at various eventsThe two candidates raised a total of $13,000 through their events which included concerts, social gatherings, fashion shows and more. The money raised will be split between The Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce; Nenarella’s charity, The American Red Cross; and Goodyear’s charity, Shriner’s Hospital for Children. To contact The Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce, call 645-1366. To reach Nenarella, call 645-5777.
