Annual Breakfast Brings Cities and Chambers Together

If you've done business or hung out in the Safety Harbor and Oldsmar area you might want to take note of this upcoming event.

On Friday morning the cities of Oldsmar and Safety Harbor, in cooperation with the Upper Tampa Bay and Safety Harbor Chambers of Commerce, will hold their annual Mayor’s Breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

This year the event, which benefits needy families served by the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center and the Rotary Club of Oldsmar/East Lake, will be held at the Nielsen Company Cafeteria at 601 Brooker Creek Blvd. in Oldsmar. 

This is the sixth year the mayors of both municipalities have joined together for this event, and it promises to be extra special, as both Mayor Andy Steingold of Safety Harbor and Oldmar’s Jim Ronecker will be leaving office in January. 

“The event is a lot of fun. We get to serve coffee for tips and participate in a goofy video,” Steingold said last week.

“But the best part of it is, it all benefits a good cause.”

Guests will be treated to a full breakfast in addition to coffee, and there will be an auction of decorated Christmas trees as well as door prizes. Entertainment will be provided by the Tampa Ballet Company.

All the proceeds from the event, including sales of the $25.00 tickets as well as tips, donations and money from the auctions, will be split between the two organizations.

Mattie Williams director Janet Hooper says that in addition to being a fun event for everyone involved, it is also an invaluable fundraiser for the facility. 

“It’s a big thing for us in that we get half the proceeds, which we use to help buy presents for needy families,” she said. “It’s a great time, and everyone comes together from both cities.” 

Hooper said they usually sell 250-300 tickets, and there are still some available for the event. Also, donations for the door prices and tree auctions are still being welcomed.

She also stressed the event couldn’t take place without the cooperation of both chambers, and, this year, the support of the Nielsen Company. 

"Safety Harbor and Oldsmar are two pretty unique communities,” Hooper said. “It should be a fun time.”

Note: Tickets are available online at www.utbchamber.com.  They can also be purchased at the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber, the Safety Harbor Chamber and the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center. Cost is $25. The event is open to the public.