Rejuvenate Your Skin, Hair & Body At Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa 

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Family Nurse Practitioner Karma Nguyen and her Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa are located in the New Tampa Professional Park in Pebble Creek, off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Many of us want little touch-ups to our look and some are even ready for a total body transformation. But, when there are so many different products, lasers and injectables out there, where do you begin? Karma Nguyen can help you. She is the owner of Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa in the New Tampa Professional Park off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Pebble Creek and her education as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Family Nurse Practitioner (APRN-FNP) makes her well-qualified to educate and administer the latest image-improving treatments. 

You may have gotten a facial before, but Defining Beauty has five options for facial skin care. If you have facial hair or acne, no problem. Men, women and teens can receive personalized facials from Karma with recommendations for daily skin maintenance care afterwards. The spa is also known for offering HydraFacialℱ, a facial performed using a device with a vacuum-like effect to cleanse, moisturize, and brighten the skin. You also can get a PRX Derm Perfexion or PRX-T33 facial, microneedling with or without plasma-rich protein derived from your own blood, or chemical peels with superficial, medium, or deep skin activity. 

Are you interested in IV infusions? Karma offers more than a dozen different IV therapies that offer specific combinations of vitamins, minerals and amino acids for different needs, including hydration, mental health, athletic recovery and performance. 

With all of these specialized treatments, it is often recommended or required to receive them from a licensed professional only. Thankfully, Karma has been a licensed nurse since 2003. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees through a combination of online coursework and on-site clinical rotations, from Chamberlain University, based in Chicago, IL. After graduating with her MSN degree, Karma became an APRN. 

Karma says that one of her clinical rotations exposed her to the work of an aesthetic nurse. That sparked her interest in aesthetic treatments and since then, she has traveled to New York, Texas and different parts of Florida to obtain additional certifications, including her national certification as an FNP through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), as well as hands-on training in aesthetic techniques before opening Defining Beauty in July 2021. Dr. Binu Jacob, M.D. is the med spa’s medical director. 

“Every person has a different anatomy and wants to achieve a different look,” Karma says. “To get pronounced, versus subtle results, it is important to know the different ways to inject or apply products and devices.” 

When it comes to cosmetic needs like wrinkles, sagging skin, hair removal and restoration, or medical conditions like acne, psoriasis and rosacea, there are many laser and injectable treatments available that can help. In order to decide the best option for your needs, you need a specialist who will be honest about each one’s pros and cons. 

Before providing any treatment, Karma performs a thorough consultation with each client to understand their current state of health, address their skin care or body concerns and figure out what they hope to achieve. 

“Often there are different options for various skin care or body goals,” she says. “I go over the options with the patient to see their comfort level and interest. And, most important is that I am open with my patients so they have realistic expectations. You can’t achieve surgical-type results without surgery, but I can let you know what you can reasonably expect.” 

Do Your Research 

Karma says she appreciates patients who like to do their own research. On Defining Beauty’s website (see link below), there is a detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for each proprietary laser (Neo EliteÂź, Lumecca IPL, and Morpheus8) and injectable product (BotoxÂź, JuvedermÂź, KybellaÂź, OzempicÂź and more) she uses. This is really helpful to answer your basic questions including what to expect, who should and should not receive treatment, the possible risks, side effects and recovery period for each treatment and how long you can expect your results to last. 

After reviewing the different options, Karma will develop a patient-specific treatment plan and schedule a treatment session that same day or, if more time is needed, within the next few days. 

Karma, who lives in New Tampa with her mom Lucy and youngest son Kevin (a high school senior), does her best to accommodate patients by offering weekend and evening appointments. 

Kimberly Clawson (photos below) is a Defining Beauty patient who speaks highly of Karma’s professionalism, expertise and flexibility. 

Defining Beauty patient Kimberly Clawson at 168 lbs. (above) & 126 lbs. (right) has received medical weight loss treatments and lip injections from Karma Nguyen. (Photos provided by Kimberly Clawson) 

“I was referred to Karma by a close friend,” says Kimberly. “My main (goals were) continuing my weight loss journey on OzempicÂź and finding a more affordable option for some cosmetic issues that have been bothering me for a few years. I have been a cardiac nurse for almost 20 years in the Tampa and Wesley Chapel area, so the first thing I did was my research. I found that Karma has the same amount of medical experience under her belt; and her reputation in the community is that she is trustworthy, dependable, and competent.” 

“I was a regular at a med spa in south Tampa, but after my first visit with Karma I made the switch. Karma works with my schedule — including appointments on the weekends — and her pricing is about half the cost of what I was paying [before], and the location is very convenient.” 

Kimberly adds, “To date, I have lost 42 pounds under her careful guidance on Ozempic. She leans on the side of caution by requiring lab work, ensuring my dosing is safe, providing dietary counseling and checking in with me regularly. Now that I have reached my goal weight (over about 5 months), I am on a maintenance dose of Ozempic, which she monitors closely.” 

And finally, she says, “I can also testify that Karma will not perform any services that could cause unintentional harm to her patients. I begged her to restore my JuvedermÂź lip injections. However, she noted my history of angioedema (severe allergy) while taking a (blood pressure) medication called LisinoprilÂź at the same time as JuvedermÂź, and advised me that she would not do that. Even though I no longer take that medication, she refused to take any chances with JuvedermÂź. Instead, she performed a “Lip Flip” using BotoxÂź, which evened out the embarrassing damage caused by my previous experience. Finally, after 3 years of fearing my lips would remain grossly uneven, I smile with confidence!” 

If you want to continue your beauty maintenance process at home after your spa visit, Defining Beauty offers a large selection of ZOÂź and Obagi MedicalÂź skin care products. From quality cleansers and toners to specialized acne, anti-aging, redness and cellulite control products, Karma will let you know which product or combination of products will offer the best results. 

Monthly memberships also are available for clients who want regular treatments at Defining Beauty. Gold ($160), Platinum ($200) and Diamond ($240 per month) members will receive a free HydraFacialÂź each month plus 50% off any additional facials as well as discounts on products, injectables and packages. Monthly treatments can be gifted to another person once every 4 months for a $20 transfer fee and there is a free add-on given during the member’s birthday month. 

Karma has plans to expand Defining Beauty in the near future. She has brought on a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) named Michael to offer massage services at the spa. She also is adding a new treatment option for rejuvenation to improve wrinkles and skin laxity near the eye. 

Contact Karma at Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa today to see how she can help your with your cosmetic and wellness needs. 

Mention Neighborhood News to receive 30% off of your first service. Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa is located at 8911 Regents Park Dr., Suite 510, #9. The spa is open by appointment only. Call (813) 955-0408, visit definingbeautymedspa.com. You also may follow “Defining Beauty Wellness and Med Spa” on Facebook or “@definingbeautymedspa” on Instagram for pictures, tips and special offers. 

2023 Dining Contest Results — Individual Category Winners 

YOUR FAVORITE ASIAN RESTAURANTS IN NT/WC  

1. Liang’s Bistro 

2. Sushi CafĂ© 

3. Asian Buffet 

4. Zukku-San 

5. Yamato 

YOUR FAVORITE BURGER PLACES IN NT/WC   

1. Burger Monger 

2. Burger 21 

3. Five Guys 

4. Bubba’s 33 

5. Red Robin 

YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA PLACES IN NT/WC   

1. PizzaMania 

2. Via Italia 

3. NY NY 

4. Marco’s 

5. 900Âș Woodfired 

& NY Pizza* 

6. Bosco’s 

7. Amici 

8. Capri Pizza 

9. Taste of NY 

10. Fratelli’s 

* Since not everyone who voted for 900Âș Woodfired Pizza & 900Âș NY Pizza specified which place they were voting for, we combined all of their votes for this category. 

YOUR FAVORITE PLACES FOR SUSHI IN NT/WC  

1. Zukku-San 

2. Sushi CafĂ© 

3. Bonsai 

4. Crazy Sushi 

5. Umu 

YOUR FAVORITE BARS IN NT/WC  

1. Fat Rabbit 

2. Brass Tap 

3. Florida Ave. 

Brewing Co. 

4. Glory Days Grill 

5. Peabody’s 

YOUR FAVORITE LATIN RESTAURANTS IN NT/WC  

1. Rice N Beans 

2. Lima 

3. Latin Twist 

4. Las Palmas 

5. Mojo Grill 

YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST PLACES IN NT/WC  

1. First Watch 

2. Brunchies 

3. EggTown 

4. Keke’s 

5. Happy Hangar 

YOUR FAVORITE MEXICAN/SW  RESTAURANTS IN NT/WC   

1. Azteca D’Oro 

2. Cantina 

3. Vallarta’s 

4. Señor Tequila 

5. Chuy’s Tex-Mex 

Unfortunately, the categories that we didn’t include until October got a lot less votes than those we started in September. 

For example, we had fewer than 100 votes in the “Favorite Bar” category, but more than 200 votes in the “Favorite Pizza” category — and every pizza place in the top-10 (left) received at least 20 votes. 

We congratulate all of this year’s winning restaurants, but will likely change up the categories again next year, as we ran out of time to include all of the categories we intended to have this year. — GN 

‘Holiday Baking Championship’ Finalist Opens Flamingo Donuts In The Chap 

Sarah Walker’s Flamingo Donuts are huge & come in a variety of unique flavors. (photo by Andrea Radford Photography [@andrearadfordphotography]) 

On Thursdays, when Sarah Wallace is pulling an all-nighter making donuts so they will be fresh for her customers the next morning, she sometimes hears the Food Network judges’ voices in her head. 

“The biggest thing is you have to deliver flavor,” she says. “If it’s honey lavender crĂšme brĂ»lĂ©e, for example, the judges better taste the honey and the lavender.” 

So, when she comes up with ideas for her Flamingo Donuts — a business she launched in Wesley Chapel just a couple of months ago — she’s always thinking about how to be sure the flavor is strong enough to come through on the donut itself. 

That’s just one of the lessons she has learned from her time on “Holiday Baking Championship” and other Food Network shows. 

After making it all the way to the finals of the “Holiday Baking Championship” (Season 6), which aired in 2019, she has participated in other Food Network shows, too. She served as a judge on “Buddy vs. Duff” (Season 3) and most recently was a contestant on “Guy’s Grocery Games” (Season 31). 

As a contestant on “Holiday Baking Championship,” Sarah jumped at the chance to test her skills on the show just two weeks after her wedding. At the time, she was the general manager of the Magnolia Bakery in Boston. 

She told her job she didn’t know how long she’d be gone. 

She also told her new husband she was sorry they had to postpone their honeymoon. It didn’t faze him, though. 

“It’s the Food Network,” she says Daniel told her. “If the Food Network calls, you go.” 

Sarah was a finalist on the Holiday Baking Championship in 2019. (photo courtesy of Food Network) 

So she did, and made it all the way to the final round, where she competed with two other bakers. Her plaid cake ultimately came up just shy of the big win. 

Four years later, Sarah and her husband, Daniel Belisle, have moved to Wesley Chapel to be closer to her parents and other family members. 

The couple now lives in Union Park and are parents to Jonah, age two, and four-month-old Jude. Sarah sometimes uses Belisle as her last name. 

She calls donuts “the love of her life,” even though her early career revolved around cakes. She says if she ever had a hard day at Magnolia Bakery, like if she had to fire someone, she would walk down to nearby Union Square Donuts and cheer herself up with a donut. 

“They had this brown butter hazelnut donut that was the best donut I’ve ever had in my entire life,” Sarah says. 

When Magnolia had to shut its doors during the pandemic and didn’t know if it would reopen, Sarah was thrilled to land a new job as the executive pastry chef for Union Square Donuts. 

“I made 238 different donuts during my time with them,” says Sarah. 

She calls donuts a fun challenge, where she tries to reimagine any and every kind of dessert. 

Sarah says donuts are just as versatile as a cake in that she can flavor the batter, flavor the glaze, and garnish with any topping or decoration she can imagine. 

“There are so many different ways to pack flavor into a donut,” she says. “And it’s better than a cake because it’s deep fried.” 

She says it was “excruciating” to leave what she calls her dream job with Union Square to move to Florida. 

“I loved my team,” she says, “and we made the best donuts in Boston.” 

But, Sarah and Daniel made the decision to move to Wesley Chapel to raise their family. When they arrived, they embarked on something of a donut tour, finding all the places they could, evaluating Tampa’s “donut game.” 

“We tried a lot of mini donuts, cake donuts, donuts made using a depositor, but there were no giant, yeasted artisan donuts,” she says. 

She figured, “If anyone’s going to bring those donuts here, it’s got to be me.” 

Sarah says she named her business Flamingo Donuts because she wanted a symbol that reminds people of Tampa without using the name. Her mom is something of a flamingo collector (“her whole house is bejeweled flamingoes,” she says) and when Sarah saw Phoebe, the giant flamingo at Tampa International Airport, she knew it was the perfect symbol for her new business. 

With the name chosen, Sarah says she set out to bring “the biggest, most beautiful donuts people are ever going to see” to Wesley Chapel. 

“Every donut is an experience,” she says. “I’m taking a donut and elevating it.” 

She says everything is made from scratch, every dough and every topping, and nothing is made ahead of time. 

For now, Sarah rents a commercial kitchen and works overnight to ensure her donuts are fresh. 

Sarah sells her Flamingo Donuts at the Market Elaine at The Grove. (Photo by Andrea Radford Photography) 

Flamingo Donuts are delivered every Friday morning to The Bean Bar Co. in Tampa Palms (17018 Palm Pointe Dr., near Cali restaurant). Sarah also sells them at the Market Elaine at the Grove the first Friday of every month (the next one is Jan. 5) and at the Ybor City Saturday Market (1901 N 19th St.) every Saturday. She also recently added the Tampa Bay Markets’ Fresh Market at the Shops at Wiregrass the first Saturday of every month and the Second Sunday Harvest Market at The Grove. 

“When I show up at the market with 200 donuts, it’s kind of like putting on a show,” she says. “I want to tell people, ‘I hand made every donut here for you.’” 

She says her favorite thing is when someone takes a donut and she can see the look on their face when they realize it’s unlike any donut they’ve ever had before. 

“I had a guy recently who took a bite and his eyebrows just shot up,” she says. 

“I hadn’t slept in two days but it was totally worth it to see his face when he bit into that donut.” 

And she is constantly trying to outdo herself. “I need to step it up a notch,” she says, “just like when I was trying to beat out nine other bakers.” 

For example, everyone has to have a glazed donut, she says, but why would someone choose hers? Sarah explains that most glazed donuts are honey-based. 

“I found wildflower honey and decided to add a fondant black-eyed Susan,” she says. “Now I’m giving this big, giant brioche-y donut, covered in wildflower honey glaze, a handmade wildflower made of sugar. So, I still have the classics that people look for, but elevated in a different way.” 

Another example is her “South of Boston CrĂšme” donut, which has more of a pudding filling than just pastry crĂšme, topped with a dark chocolate glaze. 

Her holiday flavors — available at the markets in December — include chocolate peppermint brownie batter (peppermint brownie batter filling, chocolate glaze, topped with candy cane bits), brown butter pecan praline (nutty brown butter glaze covered with brown sugar pecan praline crumbles), eggnog float (a little gingerbread man in the middle with his arms behind his head who looks like he’s floating on a donut inner tube), and traditional strawberry sufganiyot for Hanukkah. 

As the holidays approach, Sarah and her family have developed a somewhat unusual twist on a Christmas tradition. 

“We watch ‘Home Alone,’ ‘Die Hard,’ and my season of ‘Holiday Baking Championship,’” she laughs. 

You can find Flamingo Donuts at the markets mentioned above or by visiting her Flamingo-Donuts.com website or on Instagram @eatflamingodonuts and Facebook @flamingodonuts. 

Family-Owned Prime Barbershops To Add A Third Location In 2024! 

Men, children and even women receive outstanding cuts from licensed barbers at both Prime Barbershop locations. (Photo by Charmaine George) 

Three years ago in The Grove Shopping Center in Wesley Chapel, Prime Barbershop was born. It was intended by its co-owner and Wesley Chapel resident Edward Velasquez as a meaningful place for family and business to intertwine seamlessly. Ed wanted to create a place where men could enjoy a cut and a shave, and moms could feel safe bringing their sons or even their daughters for their haircuts. His goal was to build long-term relationships. 

Ed explains that he aimed to create something different when he started thinking about building a new business for his family. 

“We didn’t want to be just another barbershop opening up in the area,” he says. “We wanted a location that stood out, that when people walked in, they’d say, ‘This is really cool-looking.’ We wanted to elevate the barber shop game. We created an atmosphere that’s really inviting. We don’t tolerate loud music or foul language. We hold our barbers to a really high standard. From day one, we were going to turn the industry on its edge and say we can have an upscale barber shop in the area and cater to those clients who want a different experience.” 

This vision for excellence has since expanded to a second Prime Barbershop location at the Publix-anchored Livingston Marketplace on County Line Rd. (at Livingston Ave.) in Lutz. A third location will open in the new Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel on S.R. 54 in early 2024. 

How It All Got Started 

The journey began when Ed observed Omar diligently working as a barber for someone else. Recognizing the talent and passion within the family, an idea took root — why not establish a barber shop where his son-in-law could showcase his skills and become a partner in the venture? 

(Right, l.-r.) Ed & Melinda Velasquez, Kristi & Omar Lugo. 
(Photo provided by Ed Velasquez) 

Omar says he fell in love with barbering at a young age and started experimenting by cutting his friends’ hair in high school. After graduation, he attended technical school, received his barber’s license, and has now been a professional barber for seven years. 

“I just knew it was something I wanted to do,” Omar says. 

Ed explains, “I knew Omar was cutting for another barbershop. It’s always challenging working for another business. You don’t know what the expectations are. I wanted him and my daughter (Kristi) to feel secure and have a place they can call their own without being part of someone else’s dream — and create our own.” 

Prime Barbershop offers haircuts, beard trims, shape-ups, hot towel shaves, head shaves and eyebrow trims, with discounts offered on haircuts and beard trims for seniors over 65. These barber shops are not the “boys club” shops of the past. Rather, they welcome everyone: men, children, as well as women seeking short haircuts, which Kristi often provides. 

“We love that moms feel comfortable bringing their children to the shop,” Ed says. “That speaks volumes to us because there are many places they don’t want to go or had bad experiences.” 

In the very beginning, the Prime Barbershop owners sat down with Mark Gold, the owner/developer of The Grove and learned about Mark’s innovative vision to not only reinvigorate a failing shopping complex but also to add a new concept now called KRATE Container Park at The Grove, which repurposed former shipping containers into a variety of locally-owned small businesses and restaurants. 

“It was a different concept I had never heard of, but I knew he was wholeheartedly invested in the place,” ED says. “We saw him come and start cleaning up, painting and landscaping.” 

And, even though Ed and Omar didn’t open their Prime Barbershop in the KRATEs, he definitely has benefited from the success of the adjacent container park. 

“I was sold on the location and the growth of the area; it was kind of a no-brainer that we had to jump in and get a spot here before someone else did.” 

Fast forward three years, and the impact of this decision is evident in the bustling success of the original Prime Barbershop. With its warm ambiance, skilled barbers and commitment to providing superior service, the shop quickly gained a loyal clientele. The Wesley Chapel community embraced the concept of a family-centric barber shop, where personalized attention and a sense of belonging are as much a part of the experience as the perfect haircut. 

Ed says, “First and foremost, we really want to thank all of our loyal clientele, which has helped us grow since opening our doors in 2020. We’re now celebrating our third anniversary at our location in The Grove. We’re really thankful to the clients and for building the shop to where it is today and for their continued patronage, as well as to all the barbers who have helped make it happen.” 

The glowing Yelp and Google reviews prove that Prime Barbershop’s clientele is so loyal because the service and the staff are top-notch. 

Client Brandon Scruton’s glowing 5-star review on Google says, “Steven is a fantastic barber! I have been going to him for over a year now and have never had any issues. He also lines up my beard perfectly. I have started bringing in my one-and-a-half-year-old in for a cut and he is amazing with kids! He takes his time to make my kid feel comfortable and always talks to him throughout the process. If you are looking for a great barber, definitely go to Steven!” 

Every Prime Barbershop barber has received similar reviews, so you really can’t go wrong! 

Keeping Up With Industry Trends 

Prime Barbershop’s licensed barbers create new content and regularly follow social media to keep up with the latest trends. 

“We’re seeing that the trends make a loop and come back around,” Omar says. “We’re seeing a lot of kids coming in for a mullet or comb-over. Social media is what keeps us in the loop.” 

Ed adds that the biggest trend since the pandemic is the return of beards. 

“It’s no longer just getting a haircut, but beard trims,” he says. “Keeping your beard good and healthy. Beard care is probably the biggest trend in the last three years.” 

Thanks to the success of the Wesley Chapel location, Ed made sure that the new Prime Barbershop copied the flagship location, integrating the same ethos of a modern barber shop with old-fashioned charm, making sure that each customer feels more like family than just a client. 

Ed says he chose the Publix shopping center location because the owner of the plaza did not want a typical salon franchise. 

“They saw what we were doing at The Grove and the upscale type of barbershop that we are,” Ed explains. 

Looking ahead to 2024, anticipation is building for the grand opening of the third establishment in Avalon Park. With the lessons learned from the first two locations, Ed and Omar envision a space that caters to the community’s grooming needs and becomes a focal point for connection and camaraderie. 

“We’ve been interested in Avalon Park since they first started talking about it in 2020,” Ed says. “We’re hoping to be in there by maybe February 2024. ‘Live, Work, Play’ is the theme of Avalon Park’s downtown in Orlando. We knew that if they created the same ‘feel’ in Wesley Chapel, that it would be very successful and a hub where people will come to do all of that.” 

As the Wesley Chapel shop’s three-year milestone is celebrated, it’s not just a celebration of a successful business venture but a testament to the power of family bonds and entrepreneurial spirit. The journey from a single barber shop in Wesley Chapel to a triad of establishments in three different areas exemplifies Ed and Omar’s commitment to quality, service, and the enduring strength that comes from blending together family and business. 

“We’re always looking to hire the best of the best,” Ed says. “We’ve created a culture that allows a very successful barber to come in and continue his process or for someone without as much experience to build up a good clientele as long as they are willing to put in the work and do what needs to be done.” 

In a world often dominated by impersonal experiences, the Prime Barbershops stand out as beacons of community, illustrating that a haircut can be more than just a trim — it can be an opportunity to forge connections, build relationships and create an enduring legacy. 

Ed says, “In any of our shops, you will be greeted the same. Everyone will be in uniform. The atmosphere is the same. Our shops have a vintage look to them. They are warm and inviting. We’ve created a culture that no matter which location you go to, it’s going to feel like it’s home.” 

When not busy running their shops, you will find the owners enjoying their downtime with their families: in Wesley Chapel, Ed and Melinda, his wife of 32 years, their two children and three grandchildren, and Omar in Dade City with his wife Kristi, and their two children. 

The original Prime Barbershop is located at 6027 Wesley Grove Blvd., Unit 206. The Lutz location is at 2747 E. County Line Rd. For more info, visit PrimeBarbersWC.com. 

Metropolitan Ministries Tent At St. James Church Is A 20-Year Holiday Tradition 

The Metropolitan Ministries Donation Tent at St. James United Methodist Church on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Tampa Palms will accept food, gift, cash and other donations to help people in need between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every day until Tuesday, December 21. 

For 20 years, St. James United Methodist Church in Tampa Palms has opened a satellite tent of Metropolitan Ministries to collect donations of food and toys for families whose struggles are magnified at this time of year. 

The tent provides a convenient way for New Tampa residents to provide donations that directly impact people in the Tampa Bay area who would otherwise not have a holiday meal or gifts. 

The tent officially opened this year on Nov. 5, in advance of Thanksgiving, with a ceremony led by St. James’ Lead Pastor, Tony Fotsch. It closed between Thanksgiving and Dec. 3, and is now open to accept donations every day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., through Tuesday, December 21. 

“While the tent is primarily a way to give to those in our community who benefit from the donations of food and toys,” says Pastor Fotsch, “we often hear from our volunteers that it is a blessing for them to be a part of this, and we believe that those who provide the generous gifts are positively affected, as well.” 

The tent makes it easy for locals to drive through the parking lot and simply drop off any goods they would like to donate, without ever leaving their cars. 

Unwrapped toys for any kids, ages newborn to 18, are gratefully accepted. Items for teenagers are especially needed. For gift ideas, visit metro-min.org/holiday-central. 

Food items also are needed to make a complete “Box of Hope.” A complete box includes turkey, ham or chicken, cereal, canned yams, bagged or boxed stuffing, cranberry sauce, bagged or canned beans, soup, rice, boxed or canned potatoes, boxed macaroni & cheese, gravy packet or cans, dessert mix, canned fruit and canned vegetables. 

People can drop off any or all items on the list at the tent, where volunteers sort donations into a complete box that is prepared for a family to enjoy for Christmas (since Thanksgiving is now over). 

Volunteers also are needed to accept donations, sort them and load them up to be delivered to the main Metropolitan Ministries tent in downtown Tampa, where families who have been referred from agencies who help those in need come to pick up the food and choose gifts for their children. 

Gift cards and cash donations also are graciously accepted. 

Last year alone, the New Tampa tent at St. James Church collected a total of 507 turkeys and hams, plus an additional 19,459 pounds of food, to make 989 “Boxes of Hope.” It also received 2,171 toys and $645 in gift cards. 

“It’s a testament to our community that people give so generously,” says Pastor Fotsch. 

At the church, Melissa Ewen, who serves as director of fellowship and special connections, coordinates the New Tampa tent logistics and serves as St. James’ liaison to Metropolitan Ministries. 

“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Metro Ministries,” says Ewen, who explains that it fits with the church’s mission to serve the spiritual, emotional and social needs of its members and the greater Tampa area, including its vulnerable populations. “We’re so grateful for this opportunity to come together to make a difference in our community during this holiday season.” 

For more information about how to donate or volunteer, please contact the church by emailing info@stjamestampa.org or visit StJamesTampa.org.state.Â