Fill the Fiat
Parks Fiat of Wesley Chapel has partnered with the Mason Dixon Christmas Wish Fund, encouraging people to help them ‘fill the Fiat.’ Now through Dec. 31, people who visit guest services at The Shops at Wiregrass and make a small donation of cash, toys or gift items, can receive a coupon book of savings at The Shops. The fund helps local Tampa Bay families in need during the holiday. Also, anyone who test drives a Fiat on Dec. 7, Parks Fiat will donate $10 to the wish fund.
Christmas celebration at East-West Animal Hospital
East-West Animal Hospital, 1524 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz, will host its Christmas celebration Dec. 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The hospital’s mascot, Barley the Opossum, will pose for photos as “Barley Claus.”
A calendar and T-shirts featuring Barley will be sold to help local animal rescue organizations. There also will be food and giveaways.
Barley was the only survivor of a car accident when he was just two weeks old. A former employee of the animal hospital rescued him, and tube-fed him until he could eat on his own.
For more information on the event, visit EastWestAnimalHospital.com, or call (813) 948-6534.
Dealership helps soldiers for the holidays
Parks Ford, 28739 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, recently wrapped up its Support the Troops drive, which collected items for the military between October and November at the dealership.
Once the drive was over, a Parks Ford team delivered all the items collected, volunteered to help pack boxes, and donated $2,500. The funds help the group with its biggest challenge — paying for shipment of donated items overseas. This particular donation will allow Support the Troops to send up to 70 boxes to military personnel this holiday season.
For more information on how to support the troops during the holiday season, visit OurTroopsOnline.com.
Perez joins Cameo Salon & Spa
Dawn Perez has joined Cameo Salon & Spa as a licensed cosmetologist specializing in color, highlights and cuts.
Originally from New York, Perez moved to Florida in 2009. She has 17 years experience, the past four working as a cosmetology instructor.
For more information, call Perez at (813) 948-7411.
Cameo Salon & Spa is located at 1817 Collier Parkway in Lutz.
Sponsors sought for barbecue event
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is still seeking sponsors for January’s Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues event, which raises money for local youth leadership and education programs.
The event itself takes place at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, 39450 South Ave., in Zephyrhills, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It includes food, music, a car and motorcycle show, a business expo, and more.
For more information on how to sponsor by Dec. 5, call the chamber at (813) 782-1913.
Donations earn spa time
The Planet Beat Contempo Spas in New Tampa, Seven Oaks and Westchase are celebrating the holidays by offering “12 Days of Spa” certificates to anyone who donates a toy valued at more than $10, or canned goods for families in need for Christmas.
Current members will receive a free lotion sample or spa service for their donation.
The “12 Days of Spa” certificate is valued at more than $129, and entitles the bearer to 12 consecutive days of spa services through Jan. 31. The certificates are transferable.
For more information, call (813) 971-9337, or (813) 991-4433.
Learn about social media
The SmartStart business incubator in Dade City is offering “Social Media and Your Business” Dec. 3 at noon, at the Dade City incubator, 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 103.
Participants should bring their own lunch.
For more information, email Krista Covey at ">.
Contest offers financial planning
Several area companies have banded together to offer a free complete financial plan to an area family for the holiday season.
Independent Financial Services of Land O’ Lakes has joined Gregg Heckley, Attorney at Law; and Balanced Accounting and Tax Inc., to provide the package, valued at $1,500. The plan would include a complete look at the family’s financial future, as well as the completion of a complete last will and testament package, and personal tax preparation.
“It is critical that people plan for their financial future, and according to statistics, many people have little to no plan on how they will fund their retirement years beyond what Social Security has to offer,” said Jeannie Holliday, financial advisor and co-owner of Independent Financial Services, in a release.
Those eligible to enter must live in the Tampa Bay area (Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties), write a statement up to 300 words on why they should win the contest, and other factors.
More information and an entry form can be found at tinyurl.com/FinanceContest, or by calling (813) 908-2701.
