Soaring Eagle Dinner

University of South Florida Bulls football coach Skip Holtz will headline an annual dinner to raise funds for area Boy Scouts.

The Greater Brandon Area Friends of Scouting Committee, in conjunction with the Gulf Ridge Council Timucua District Boy Scouts of America, will host the second annual Soaring Eagle Dinner Thursday, Feb. 23 at The Regent, 6427 Watson Rd., Riverview.

Each year at the dinner, the committee presents the Soaring Eagle Distinguished Citizen award to someone who has made a significant impact on the Boy Scouts in the area.

This year's award will go to longtime Brandon resident Dick Eatman. An active member of the Brandon Rotary Club, he is retired as president of Bank of Tampa. As a former Scoutmaster, Eatman was instrumental in spreading the Boy Scout message throughout Brandon and southeastern Hillsborough County and helping boys achieve their Scout goals.

All members of the community are invited to attend the dinner. A social hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner by Southern Gourmet Catering following at 7 p.m.

There are no tickets to attend the event. Donations and pledges to Scouting will be requested during the event. The dinner is a major source of support for the area Scouts, said co-chairwoman Becky Jordan. Last year's dinner raised more than $15,000.

To RSVP, contact Molly Blanton at 813-210-1788 or mblanton@boyscouting.com.