Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How big did Brandon’s Parade of Lights get in just two years?
Also check out Business Builders Roundtable Networking on the Brandon Patch calendar
Hello Brandon! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How big did Brandon’s Parade of Lights get in just two years?
- How a night of music bingo could boost Brandon families in crisis
- How one Brandon hospital family turned heartbreaking news into lifesaving hope
Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Brandonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Cool with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 62 and low of 42 degrees.
- Thursday: Sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 72, low: 46.
- Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 55 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Newsome Takes Home Best Marching Band In 2nd Parade Of Lights (ospreyobserver.com) — Brandon families packed Oakfield Drive as the second Brandon Parade of Lights drew about 10,000 spectators and nearly 3,000 participants, with Newsome High named Best Band. The growing holiday tradition also raised $5,000 each for local nonprofits Hope for Her and PCAT, and organizers have already set the next parade for December 12, 2026. 
Find out what's happening in Brandonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
• Music Bingo Fundraiser Will Support Emergency Support Programs Through ECHO (ospreyobserver.com) — If you live in Brandon and ever needed food, clothing, or job help, ECHO’s services may have been there for you—and now they need support. A February 10, 2026 music bingo night at Voodoo Brewing in Valrico will raise money for ECHO’s Brandon- and Riverview-serving food pantry, clothing rooms, and free job coaching programs.
• Florida Women Turns Her Tragic Pregnancy Into a Blessing For Others (beliefnet.com) — A Florida mother facing a fatal fetal diagnosis chose to carry her baby to term and donate the child’s organs after receiving care at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital. With support from a nurse navigator and organ-donation group Lifelink, the family turned their loss into hope for another child in need, sharing their story to inspire other Brandon-area families.
📸 Around Brandon
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📣 Brandon Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Business Builders Roundtable Networking
OnPoint CoWork Solutions , 1805 James L Redman Pkwy , Plant City
8:15 am - Family Story Time
78th Street Community Library , 7625 Palm River Rd , Tampa
2:00 pm - Player Arc Global - Tampa
6110 Waterset Blvd , Apollo Beach
3:00 pm - Frank Dancey
Finn's Dockside Bar & Grill , 1112 Apollo Beach Blvd , Apollo Beach
5:00 pm - Ladies Night at The River's Edge Bar & Grill
6226 Ohio Ave , Gibsonton
7:00 pm - Plant City Toastmasters
Wesley Centre , 202 W. Reynolds St. , Plant City
7:30 am - Entrepreneur/Small Business Consulting Services
Plant City Chamber of Commerce , 118 W. Reynolds St. , Plant City
9:00 am - Centennial Celebration Committee
Temple Terrace - FL 33617
4:00 pm - Sunday Service
Unity of Tampa , 2610 Silver Lake Ave , Tampa
11:00 am - Swim Lessons - Preschool - Beginner
North Brandon Family YMCA , 3097 S Kingsway Rd , Seffner
5:30 pm - Community Free Food Pantry
The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce , 402 West English St. , Plant City
6:00 pm - City Council Meeting
Temple Terrace, FL Calendar , City Council Chambers, 11250 N. 56th Street , Temple Terrace
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Sunday January 4
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Brandon PatchAM possible:
- Athena’s Painting — (813) 424-6644
$50. Off special on car garage doors painting - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - Gifted IQ Testing of Tampa Bay — (813) 610-7905
Gifted Testing DBA - Gifted IQ Testing of Tampa Bay — (813) 610-7905
Gifted IQ Tests for Children
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hi neighbors.
I’ve been taking care of a colony of young cats in Seffner. They are all about a year okd-give or take. Two are torties and the rest all black or… (Nextdoor Sterling Ranch) - My wife and I found a visitor here last Thursday hanging out with our 2 cats.
He is very friendly and a regular chatterbox. We wanted to post something in lost and found and hopefully get this very gently cat back to his family… (Nextdoor Timber Pond)
- Chicken Salad Chick posted a job opening for Back of House Team Member in Brandon. Apply here.
- PetSmart, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate Part Time in Brandon. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Brandon here.
🗞 Nearby News
South Tampa
- Selmon Expressway expansion project to start in spring 2026 (wfla.com)
- Tampa's fabled Tiny Tap Tavern has finally sold, but don't expect much to change (cltampa.com)
- Our favorite restaurants that opened in Tampa in 2025 (thatssotampa.com)
Valrico
- Early Explorers Preschool Enters New Chapter Under New Ownership In Valrico (ospreyobserver.com)
- Hillsborough County Firefighters Save Valrico Home From Kitchen Blaze (tampafp.com)
- Allen Dale Hall (eurekaherald.com)
Tampa
Ok Brandon! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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