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She's Ruskin, All The Way

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Donna Budd, 57, is a lifelong resident of Ruskin. Her family, the Castillos, has ties in the community dating back to the turn of the 20th century.

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By LOIS KINDLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 17, 2008

Updated:

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second in an occasional series profiling South Shore residents.

RUSKIN - In 1950, when the Coffee Cup restaurant was in its heyday and commercial fishing was a way of life here, George and Lillian Castillo had their youngest daughter, Donna.

Today, unless you're new to the community, there's hardly a soul in Ruskin who doesn't know her.

Donna Budd, 57, grew up in Ruskin and never left. She attended Ruskin Elementary School and graduated from East Bay High in 1968.

"I'm looking forward to our class's 40th anniversary celebration, which we're celebrating later this year," she said.

Budd attended Manatee Junior College, but left to marry and had three children - Jamey Baker, 38, Tracy Howard, 34, and Lori Dixon, who died at age 25 as a result of an ATV accident.

She later divorced.

While her children were growing up, Budd worked at the Ruskin Co-op Packing House in Apollo Beach. She also worked at her mom's general store - Castillo's Little Barn, which became Mobley's Seafood - until 1979, when she applied for a job with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Assigned to work in Ruskin as a community service officer, she has held the position for almost 30 years.

"David Gee the current sheriff and I opened the first Ruskin substation in the Rexall Plaza," now Thriftway Plaza, she said. "All we had was a desk, phone and two chairs."

As a community service officer, Budd does everything but arrest people, she said. "I fingerprint, do reports, answer phones and basically try to keep everyone who has a complaint happy," she said.

"I've known Donna before she came to the sheriff's office. We've been friends a long time," said Capt. Ron Hartley. "She's absolutely a rock in Ruskin. Being a native, she knows the community and everyone in it. She's as solid as she could be."

But her longtime role in law enforcement isn't all that Budd is known for.

In 1980, she founded Deputies Darlin's, a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization that helps needy children and the elderly. Beginning as a holiday mission, it's year-round.

"My kids took some of their own toys that first year, and we put together some canned goods for one family," Budd said. "Last year, we helped 32 families and 116 children.

"Now, my grandkids are involved. It makes my heart burst with pride."

Having gone through some tough times as her children were growing up, Budd said she started Deputies Darlin's because she had been helped by others and she wanted to do the same.

Budd is a seven-year member of the Tampa chapter of Bereaved Parents, which aids and supports parents and their families struggling to survive their grief after the death of a child. She is also the secretary of Ye Royal Krewe of Charlotte DeBerry. The mission of the all-female krewe based in Ruskin is to serve the community and worthy causes.

"I've can't remember not knowing Donna," said Lisa McCorkle, vice president of East Bay Insurance and krewe commodore. "She's our mother hen; we call her Mimi. She's always taking care of everyone."

Budd said she lives for her children and five grandchildren - Bo, 14; Ryan, 10; Cinnamon, 10; Cassie, 8; and Mason, 7.

Her family - and friends - have helped her through some difficult times. In addition to the deaths of her father and daughter, Budd had major back surgery in 1996; blood clots in 1999; and brain tumors in 1998 and 2000, which were successfully removed. In March, she lost her sister Maxine Simmons.

"You just have to keep going because life will not wait for you," Budd said.

DONNA BUDD

AGE: 57

JOB: Community service officer for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, 29 years

GRANDPARENTS: Manuel and Lottie Castillo, who came to Ruskin around the turn of the 20th century and lived on the Cockroach Bay Mound.

FAMILY: Parents, George and Lillian Castillo; sisters Bonnie Pleasure, Betty Jo Castillo and Maxine Simmons, deceased

CHILDREN: Jamey Baker, 38; Tracy Howard, 34; and Lori Dixon, deceased

GRANDCHILDREN: Bo, 14; Ryan, 10; Cinnamon, 10; Cassie, 8; and Mason, 7

FAVORITE MOVIES: "Ghost" and "Fried Green Tomatoes"

ROLE MODEL: Her dad, because he was so giving to others and never lost his temper

CHURCH: First Baptist Church of Ruskin

BEST FRIENDS: Her children; Cindy Ellis of Ruskin

RUSKIN MEMORIES: Friday night skating and swimming at the Shell Point Lodge; no traffic on U.S. 41; visiting the grocery store barefoot and in curlers, talking for hours with neighbors.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 731-7459 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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