By Tamas Mondovics
In its continued effort to raise money for local charities, Chicks for Charity, a well known charitable giving organization located in Brandon, paid a special visit to The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC) earlier this month.
The brainchild of Tammy Holmberg, owner of the Lake Brandon Village and Westfield Mall Chick-fil-A locations and 2008-2009 honorary mayor of Brandon, Chicks for Charity was pleased to announce BSAC as this year’s charity of choice.
The group presented BSAC with a check for $10,340, which was raised during its 2014 Chicks Cruise.
Since 2010, Chicks for Charity’s annual cruise fundraising event has benefitted a number of local organization’s including the YMCA, A Kid’s Place and Center Place of Brandon.
So far, the group has raised nearly $50,000, and to date has managed to draw aboard the cruise ships 667 ladies to have fun, while supporting their community.
Holmberg said that more than 80 ladies were aboard the Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas as it travelled from Tampa to Cozumel in April.
Between the cruise, several pre-cruise events, raffles and auction items, the ladies were able to raise the funds on behalf of the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center, a community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon.
“BSAC was a great choice,” Holmberg said, adding, “Our goal is to see how we can impact the lives our young people living within the borders of our community. To help prevent drowning was a major motivation for this year’s fundraiser as well as choosing BSAC as the recipient.”
BSAC Executive Director Chuck Burgess spoke on behalf of everyone at the center when he thanked the ladies for their generosity and support.
“This is a huge honor,” Burgess said. “Tammy sees the needs in the community and we are honored to be among the recipients.”
Burgess emphasized that in harmony with Chicks for Charity’s goal, the funds will be used mainly to strengthen the Center’s swimming programs.
“Our purpose is to impact lives daily through superior educational and athletic programming that enhances physical, mental, and spiritual well being,” Burgess said.
“Individually, we can all do a little bit,” Holmberg said, “Combined, our ladies can make a huge impact.”
For more information, e-mail chicks forcharities@gmail.com, or visit the group’s Facebook page.
