TOWN ‘N’ COUNTRY — Wilmer Valderrama, former star of TV sitcom “That ‘70s Show” and a series regular on “NCIS,” came to Tampa as part of a community outreach event for those impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The 45-year-old star, entrepreneur and activist, who was born in Miami, joined forces with Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan and Operation BBQ Relief to celebrate the resilience of a neighborhood still rebuilding almost six months after flooding and other damage.
Free meals were distributed in the West Park neighborhood, which includes hundreds of homes in Town ‘N’ Country near Leto High School that saw serious storm flooding. Valderrama met with volunteers, Hillsborough Fire first responders and residents grabbing selfies with the actor who played “Fez” on “That ‘70s Show” for eight seasons.
“I think Florida, as a whole has shown over many decades a lot of resilience,” he said. “(Tampa) was hit with two catastrophes and there is no stopping a natural disaster. Not only does this city still stand, but it finds a way to live life and thrive — something we could all learn from.
“I come from Los Angeles, and they’ve experienced one of the most horrific disasters in the state’s history (with recent wildfires),” he noted. “And one thing we all have in common — whether it’s Florida or California or Louisiana — when this happens, people really wake up and that’s something that I’m grateful to help raise awareness on, how we can come together and help out.
“This area — the people of Tampa and their resilience — we can celebrate them for that.”
Valderrama has become a prominent activist for many causes, including Latino voting rights and participation, as well as supporting the USO, well before he joined the CBS’ military police procedural series in 2016.
Since 2007, Valderrama has toured for the USO dozens of times, and in 2024 he founded a lifestyle brand for women and men called E.P.U., which stands for E Pluribus Unum — Latin for “out of many, one.” The clothes are inspired by bootcamp gear and other military garb, and a portion of the sales go to the USO.
Valderrama also has worked closely with Operation BBQ Relief, or OBR.
Founded in 2011, the organization has provided nearly 13 million meals across 42 states and internationally. Since 2018, OBR has served more than 3 million meals in Florida alone and provided more than 1 million meals to Floridians after Helene and Milton.
At the event at West Park, OBR provided about 2,500 free meals to residents that took notice of Hillsborough Fire Rescue’s massive SHERP vehicles on site and, of course, a Hollywood star mingling with those on hand.
Said County Tax Collector Nancy Millan: “I was just honored that (Valderrama) picked us out of everywhere he could be and shed some light on this area that really needs it. … Sometimes, people think the government is just going to show up in critical times and then go away, but we’re here, knowing that it takes time to get back to normal because Hillsborough County is still here for them.”
Other government and local officials at the event included Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, Florida senator Jay Collins and U.S. Representative Kathy Castor.
Though Valerrama didn’t have any personal connection to this Town ‘N’ Country community, it still lined up with his philanthropic endeavors. The small neighborhood has some military ties, but also a deeply rooted Latino heritage and history.
Valderrama spoke to several residents in Spanish and took time to hear their stories. As someone with Florida ties, including those when he came back to the U.S. after living in Venezuela until he was 13, Valderrama knows all too well how hurricanes can turn people’s lives upside down in a matter of hours.
“I’m no stranger to having to call my friends and make sure they’re good,” he said. “It’s the same story every decade that a different (Florida) community experiences something on this level and that’s something this state sees way too often.”