By Kathy L Collins
Donovan Brockett, a resident of Brandon and a sixth grade student at Winthrop Charter School, is Mr. ECHO 2012. Brockett received his crown for his efforts in raising $730 for ECHO’s 10th Annual Kids Helping Kids Fashion Show held on Saturday, October 6. Over 50 children participated in the show held in the auditorium at the Brandon Hillsborough Community College (HCC) campus.
The last two Mr./Miss ECHOs had been girls. Brockett said, “I wanted to prove that boys can have a heart too.” And prove it he did. Brockett was late to register for the show, but that did not stop him. In a little over one week he managed to raise the second highest amount one model had ever raised.
Brockett used a free service called Firstgiving which allowed him to easily ask for donations via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and email. He also developed a video on YouTube to personally ask for donations and later to thank those who donated.
“I did not think that I would be able to raise this much in a week. I think it is awesome.” As the reigning Mr. ECHO, Brockett gets to represent ECHO at a variety of events including the Annual Brandon 4th of July Parade. “I always walk with ECHO. It will be nice to get to ride this year in the parade!” said Brockett.
Lori Libhart, President of the ECHO Board of Directors said, “It is exciting to see young people learning to give back to their community.” Libhart added, “Our first Mr. ECHO not only raised money for ECHO, but he has also been a volunteer at ECHO and enjoys helping at the food drives.”
Stacey Efaw, Executive Director of ECHO said, “We could continue to serve residents in need without the support and assistance of people like Brockett and all of the other models, their parents and businesses who contributed to the fashion show.”
ECHO is located at 507 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon. For more information, please visit www.echofl.org or call 685-0935
