MOJO Federal Named King Of Wings At 20th Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Luau Business After Hours

Lakeland

-

April 19, 2019

0

MOJO Federal Named King Of Wings At 20th Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Luau Business After Hours

by James Coulter

When Mark Burton, General Manager of MOJO Federal Swine & Spirits in Lakeland, and his staff attended the 20th Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Luau Business After Hours last Thursday evening, they did so with the intent of showing everyone there that they had the best wings in town.

Not only did they succeed in doing just that, but they went above and beyond by winning Judge’s Choice for the best wings, allowing their team to be named the “King of Wings.”

MOJO Federal managed to grab this most illustrious title from the 11 other major competitors that evening, as they served their famous barbecue smoked wings.

Burton, of course, attributes their success that evening to the dedication of his staff. Without them, he wouldn’t be able to serve such great food from his own great resturant, he said.

“It feels very good winning this year,” he said, owing his victory to “everybody that works for us and works hard to do what we do.”

MOJO Federal was one of two teams that received recognition at the annual wing competition hosted by Citizens Bank & Trust and the Lakeland Chamber. The competition conferred two awards that evening: Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice.

The People’s Choice was conferred to Smokin’ Aces BBQ & Steakhouse in Plant City, led by the local eatery’s Chief Pit Master, Robert Jordan. Their team was able to gain the popular vote from attendees by serving their red chili and smokin’ barbecue wings.

This was the fifth time that Smokin Aces participated in the annual event, and the third time that their team won people’s choice, Jordan said. As proud members of the local chamber, Jordan and his team love being able to attend the event for the local camraderie with fellow business owners.

“Everybody was really pleased with it,” he said. “[We appreciate] the networking of businesses and being able to support our resturant.”

For the past 20 years, the Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Luau Business After Hours has been hosted to bring together local business owners for a night of great food and even greater company on the outer deck of the downtown bank.

This year drew in 11 major wing competitors for the wings competition, with a few other vendors participating to offer free food samples. Participants that evening include more than two dozen local eateries including Duke’s Brewhouse, Ovation Bar And Grill, and Wingstop.

“Really having the support of the Lakeland business community has really driven this,” said Tora Miller, Director of Marketing & Communications from the Lakeland Chamber. “This event was really, we couldn’t have done this without the support of all our members who came out and either competing in the wing contest, having the food, or just coming out and supporting us.”

Each and every year since its inception has seen the annual grow bigger and better, with a greater turnout from local businesses and residents. Hopefully, the turnout will only continue to grow in the near future, Miller said.

“We hope to do this next year and improve on everything, it is a great event, but we are always looking to improve, so it’s even going to be better next year,” she said.

Mulberry High School Signs Four Baseball Players

Mulberry

Staff Reporter

-

April 19, 2019

0

Mulberry High School Signs Four Baseball Players

by James Coulter

For the first time in eight years, Mulberry High School will be sending graduating seniors to play college baseball—and they will be sending not one, not two or three, but four baseball players.

The four graduating high school athletes signed their letters of intent for their respective college baseball teams during a special Senior Signing Day event hosted on Wednesday morning within the school auditorium.

The four students were Isaac Andrews, Justin Vanderhoof, Blake Cousens, and Malik Williams. By signing their letters, these students signified their intent to play on the baseball teams of the colleges that they will be attending, and will not be pursuing any other prospective colleges.

This is the first baseball college signing to occur at the school within the past eight years. The school’s baseball team has been struggling within recent years, but has since experienced a turnaround thanks to the hard work of Corbin Weeks, the school’s head coach for the past two seasons.

“It is a great step forward. The program has struggled for several years,” Weeks said. “When I came in, I had realistic expectations, and I brought on some coaches who knew what they were doing and surrounded them with positive people who believed the same thing as they do.”

Being able to see not one, but four, of his own students go on to play college baseball is nothing short of exciting for him, he said. The key towards this achievement and the many others he and his students have experienced during his time at the school has been one thing: consistency.

“We don’t work hard just one day, we work hard every day, being consistent in the classroom, being consistent in our community, being consistent with good behavior, picking up our teammates,” Weeks said. “Establishing that culture here has allowed them to be successful.”

The four graduating senior players are as follows:

Isaac Andrews

Andrews has not only reigned supreme as a four-year letterman, but also as the school’s homecoming king. When not playing baseball, he has been involved with the basketball team for three years, as a drum line and percussionist in band, and as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Graduating with a 3.0 GPA, Andrews will go on to attend Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, FL, along with his fellow teammate, Justin Vanderhoof. Both will play under Jon Copeland, who has overseen 21 winning seasons, 16 post seasonal appearances, and has twice won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) coach of the year.

“It is a relief that I know that I am starting my next chapter in life, [and] it feels good because I know I am going with one of my teammates,” Andrews said. “Want to go there for a year to develop, and continue after that.”

Justin Vanderhoof

A transfer from George Jenkins High School, Vanderhoof is a two-year letterman who has also played varsity baseball. He has served 121 hours of community service, and also volunteers for Buddy Baseball, a youth little leauge for handicap children.

He will be joining his teammate, Isaac Andrews, in attending Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, FL, under Copland. The coach has sent more than 16 players to play proffesional baseball.

“It feels good to know that I am going to the school It feels good that I know I am going to a good college,” Vanderhoof said. “I owe it to my parents and my coaches.”

Blake Cousens

Having also transferred from George Jenkins with Justin Vanderhoof, Cousens is a two-year letterman who has participated within 100 hours of community service.

He will be attending Montreat College in Blackmouth, NC, where he will play under Coach Jason Beck. Since 1999, Beck has accumulated 700 wins, with a total of seven seasons of 40 or more wins.

Cousens had previously visited the college, where he fell in love with the mountain landscape. He loves the mountains, so he expects to love attending the school there.

“It is a great leap that I get to play at the next level,” he said. “I owe it to my coaches and my family. They did a lot to be able to go up to the next level and let me do what I love doing.”

Malik Williams

A four-year letterman, Williams has also participated within the school’s Key Club, one of the oldest programs for high school students, with the goal to encourage leadership through serving others.

Williams will be attending college locally at Webber University in Babson Park. There he will play under Coach Brad Niethammer, who has overseen 700 wins, with 26 baseball players being added to the NEI scholarship list.

“It feels great,” he said. “I love being able to stay close to home and play baseball. Looking forward for a chance to education and having a nice view of the lake over there.”

Tornado Watch in Effect for Central Florida Until 4 PM

Polk County News

Staff Reporter

-

April 19, 2019

0

Tornado Watch in Effect for Central Florida Until 4 PM

Polk County Emergency Management Release:

A tornado watch is in effect for Polk County until 4 p.m. A fast moving squall line containing a band of numerous showers and strong to severe lightning storms will approach Polk County and central Florida today. Scattered storms are expected to develop and impact central Florida throughout the afternoon, prior to the arrival of the main band. Storm motion today will be extremely fast, toward the northeast at 50 to 60 mph. Today`s storms could produce damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, frequent cloud to ground lightning, torrential downpours, small hail, and tornadoes could also occur.

If you are at home during a tornado:

Go to a windowless interior room on lowest level of your house. Go to a storm cellar or basement if your house has one. If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
Get away from the windows.
Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris.
Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
Use your arms to protect head and neck.
If you are in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

If you are at work or school during a tornado:

Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.
Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.
Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
Use your arms to protect head and neck.

If you are outdoors during a tornado:

If possible, get inside a building.
If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Look out for flood waters which may also fill low areas.
Use your arms to protect head and neck.

If you are in a car during a tornado:

Never try to drive faster than a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Suspect Arrested For Pushing Down An Elderly Store Clerk During Armed Robbery

Staff Reporter

-

April 19, 2019

0

Suspect Arrested For Pushing Down An Elderly Store Clerk During Armed Robbery

On Thursday, April 18, 2019, deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 53-year-old Lorenzo Johnson of Lakeland, for an armed robbery of a Lakeland Circle K store, and the battery of the store’s 77-year-old clerk.

The robbery occurred just before 2:00 A.M. on Monday, April 15, 2019 at the convenience store at 3100 N. Galloway Road.

Johnson was captured on the store’s security video as he milled around in front of the store waiting for customers to leave. He then entered the store, walked around behind the counter, and pushed the elderly clerk to the floor, knocking off her glasses. He walked past her and grabbed a handful of coins, and held a pocket knife near the woman’s face.

As Johnson was walking past her to leave, he pushed her down again. She suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment.

“There was absolutely no reason to push her down; she wasn’t trying to stop him, she wasn’t fighting him…he just pushed her down…twice. I want to thank the anonymous tipsters who helped identify Johnson, and the media who helped get this story out there. He’s a career criminal and he needs to go back to prison again.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Lorenzo Johnson was charged with Armed Burglary with Battery and Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, both of which are life felonies.

Johnson’s prior criminal history consists of 31 felony arrests and 11 misdemeanor arrests. Charges include: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon (2), Child Abuse, Burglary (3), Larceny (11), Dealing In Stolen Property (2), Battery, Organized Fraud, Uttering Forged Check, Fraud, Resisting (2), Introduction of Contraband, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell (5), Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Non Support of Child, and Transporting Dangerous Materials.

He has been incarcerated seven times since 1989.

PCSO Deputies Are Looking For a Hit And Run Suspect Following An Altercation in Haines City

Staff Reporter

-

April 18, 2019

0

PCSO deputies are looking for a hit and run suspect following an altercation in Haines City

On Saturday, April 15, 2019, around 10:30 p.m. Polk County deputies responded to the area of Brin Road and Cattle Trail Road in Haines City in reference to a reported hit and run motor vehicle crash.

A large party had just been cleared out on the Rancho Los Pinos private property at 5557 Hinson Avenue when a verbal argument took place between some people- that turned physical.

Witnesses say the driver of a Black Ford F-150 intentionally struck two victims. 35-year-old Anselmo Salaza, of Ocoee received minor injuries—he was transported to a local hospital, treated and released. One man jumped out of the way while 34-year-old Hugo Zarate Gonzalez of Orlando was struck and run over by the truck. He was severely injured and transported to Osceola Regional Medical Center—he is in critical/stable condition.

There were several other people reportedly in the truck as well. PCSO detectives are currently trying to identify those involved in the incident. The driver was last seen exiting the property and traveling west on Cattle Trail Road.

The suspect faces two counts of Aggravated Battery (F-2) and one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (F-3).

If anyone has any information on the identity of the driver of the black Ford F-150, or others there that night, please contact Detective Watson at (863) 236-3900 or call Heartland Crime Stoppers – call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet. You will always remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

“The video capturing this incident is shocking and it’s amazing no one died as a result of this intentional act. If you saw something that evening, please say something! Call Crime Stoppers and earn some cash. We hope Mr. Gonzalez will be able to recover quickly from his injuries.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Sheriff Grady Judd Discusses Boating Safety In Polk County

Staff Reporter

-

April 17, 2019

0

Sheriff Grady Judd Discusses Boating Safety In Polk County

by James Coulter

With summer arriving soon, many local residents and tourists will be flocking to the lakes to enjoy summer fun in the water, be it swimming, boating, or even water skiing. But while playing and boating can be fun, it can also be risky. This is why Sheriff Grady Judd wants to remind people to stay safe in the water.

Sheriff Judd and other local law enforcement officers in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) teamed up to share important boating safety tips during a special media event on Tuesday morning.

Judd and his team of officers gathered on the shores of Lake Shipp near the public boat ramp in W.G. Roe Park in Winter Haven, where they met for a special media opportunity with members of the press from outlets such as Fox News 13, News Channel 8, The Ledger, and (of course) The Daily Ridge.

As always, Judd himself took the spotlight to share the importance of boating safety, both in and out of the water, and how local law enforcement like himself help to ensure such safety within the county.

As law enforcement officers, their biggest concern was with the reckless operation of boats, especially due to the intoxication of boaters through alcohol or illegal drugs. Judd stressed that it was important for boaters to not only remain sober, but to remain alert with their surroundings while on the water, and to be mindful of other boats and swimmers in the water.

“You have to understand that the waterways will be busy because this is the Sunshine State,” he said. “This is where people come to have a good time, and we want them to do that. But we want them to be respectful of each other, be respectful of those who are skiing and in the water swimming.”

With more than a million registered vehicles, Florida is the boating capital of the world, which also makes it the leader in boating accidents in the country. In 2017 alone, Florida experienced 67 boating accident fatalities, said Major Roger Young of the FWC.

While he and other law enforcement officers have worked diligently to ensure the safety of everyone in and on the water here in the lakes, he mentioned that such safety could be increased by remaining attentive to boating safety, he said.

The most important thing people can do to increase their safety on the water is to wear a life vest. Another important factor was remaining alert and attentive to the surroundings on the water, ensuring that their boats are a safe distance from other boats and swimmers.

“The FWC here, along with PCSO Marine Unit, have worked very hard to provide a safe enviroment on the water, we want people to come and enjoy the resources, the beautiful chain of lakes and the boating opportunities we have here,” he said.

Other safety precautions concerning boating offered that day included checking your safety equipment before leaving your house for the boat ramp, not exceeding the maximum capacity of your vessel, and taking a boat safety course to learn more about proper boating techniques.

The event that day also included a boating tour of the surrounding Chain of Lakes. Media personnel were treated to a boating trip for a better view of the crystalline waters of the Chain of Lakes including Lake Shipp, Lulu, and Eloise.

The brief boat tour provided a close-up view of the many sights along the scenic shores of the Chain of Lakes, including the botanical gardens within LEGOLAND Florida and a more than 100-year-old cypress tree along the shore of Lake Eloise, one of the oldest living trees there.

The tour that day also included many chance encounters with local individuals such as the members of the LEGOLAND Ski Team. Especially fortuitous was a meeting with Dick Grant, a local barefoot water skier who had, coincidentally enough, finished taping a video on water safety.

Soon to be celebrating his 86th birthday, the local barefoot skier and war veteran recently appeared in an Advil commercial. Grant had been performing several barefoot ski moves that were filmed by the 13-year-old son of his friend, Lane Bower. The video was picked up by Advil, which became interested in having him star in their commercial, Bowers said.

“He spent 16 years barefooting with me once or twice a year, and he has only fallen one time in 16 years, Bowers boasted.

WellMed Haines City Celebrates Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting

Haines City

Staff Reporter

-

April 17, 2019

0

WellMed Haines City Celebrates Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting

by James Coulter

A local clinic that specializes in providing personable medical care to their patients will continue to offer that care to patients old and new through their new facility in Haines City.

WellMed Haines City recently celebrated the grand opening of its new facility, located within the Webb Medical Offices along Highway 27 in Haines City, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, hosted by the Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce (formerly the Haines City Chamber).

The facility is headed by Dr. Manuel G. Jain, a board certified family practice physician who specializes in geriatric medicine. Through his extensive medical experience, Dr. Jain has focused on treating his patients through a more proactive approach towards healthcare, ensuring that his patients fight back disease before it ever has a chance to even start.

“Dr. Jain is committed to changing the face of health care delivery for seniors by focusing on preventative medicine,” his profile on his website reads. “This means delivering more personalized medical care and providing you with the preventative tools you need to improve your health and wellbeing.”

To help further provide the best quality care to his patients, Dr. Jain and his staff opened the new facility, which contains their own laboratory, a medical management team, and a case management program. At the ribbon cutting event, he mentioned how this expansion, true to the philosophy of their clinic, was designed with their patient’s needs in mind and as the upmost priority, he said.

“This clinic, this building, is for you,” Dr. Jain said. “We want to take care of you in this building…This is for you, not for me or for us. We have made this just for you, so thank you all for coming.”

The clinic provides healthcare through WellMed, a physician-led company with a group of more than 7,500 staff and contracted physicians dedicated to providing personable, quality care, especially to seniors and other individuals eligible for Medicare, their website explains.

“WellMed’s vision is to change the face of healthcare delivery for seniors by providing quality, proactive patient care with a focus on prevention,” their mission statement reads. “We believe that patients are entitled to receive a concierge level of medical care and service delivered by physicians and clinic staff who understand and care about their health.”

WellMed especially focuses on providing the best care towards seniors, as their healthcare proves high priority, even if such a priority has not remained high within recent years in today’s society, explained Vivian Vicente, Clinical Administrator.

“We feel that our senior patients have gotten lost through the cracks, so right now, what we are trying to do is create an enviroment for the seniors so when they come, they feel taken care of and protected,” she said.

As such, patients can expect to have their medical and healthcare needs focused through personable care that treats them with the respect, love, and care that they deserve; and hopefully, the new clinic will help further this vision, Vicente said.

Attending the ribbon cutting that day proved especially moving to her and her staff, as they were greeted and applauded by the patients whom have remained loyal to them, as much as they themselves have remained loyal to their patients.

“We want our staff to applaud you guys [our patients], because if it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have this type of facility where we can think of our patients and our seniors,” she said. “I am practically in tears because the turnout has been amazing, and this is just to show the support that we have. Our patients recognize that we love them, and that everything and anything that we do, we try to help them. So thank you so much.”

WellMed Haines City is located at 2380 North Blvd. W, Ste. 1 Davenport, FL 33837. For more information, call 1-888-781-WELL (9355), or visit their website at: https://www.wellmedhealthcare.com/

Paraglider Makes Hard Landing At Lake Wales Airport

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

-

April 17, 2019

0

Paraglider Makes Hard Landing At Lake Wales Airport

Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Fire Department was called out to the Lake Wales Airport on Wednesday morning. The call came into around 9:29am regarding a paraglider that had crashed into a wooded swampy area near the airport. Rescue crews initially had a difficult time reaching the injured person due to the terrain. They used a all terrain vehicle to reach them.

According to reports the injured person was a student pilot who had a hard landing and only suffered minor injuries. The incident lasted about an hour and a half. The injured person was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Sankofa Chorale Spring Concert Shares Easter Spirit

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

-

April 16, 2019

0

Sankofa Chorale Spring Concert Shares Easter Spirit

by James Coulter

Easter Sunday is right around the corner, and Holy Week received a most soulful start at Hurst Chapel AME Church with a spring concert hosted by the Sankofa Chorale on Sunday.

More than a dozen singers within the local choir helped lift spirits for the Easter season with performances of soulful selections, both classical and contemporary.

Many of the singers that afternoon graced the stage to shine within the spotlight through solo performances, be it through violin, piano, or even vocals.

Dr. Anita Manger was one such soloist, as she took center stage to utilize her years of experience as an opera and classical singer to sing about the loving grace of Jesus Christ through her solo performance.

Dr. Manger had been performing within the choir for the past five years. She had previously performed as a soprano opera and classical singer prior to moving to Winter Haven from up north in Michigan.

Her past experiences allowed her to learn the vocal and breath control necessary to sing soprano loud and clearly without losing breath. Such experience turns such ordinary musical events into something quite extraordinary.

Being able to perform with the Sankofa Chorale allows her to continue her love of music and share it with others who likewise share that love, she explained.

Also as a music lover, she appreciates the director of the Sankofa Chorale, Dr. Jessie Owens, who leads the choir as a component of her local music school, the Dr. J. Owens Academy of Fine Arts.

The local academy offers music lessons to young school-aged children, not only teaching them to perform music, but to perform a variety of musical styles that they otherwise would not learn about through their public school education, Dr. Manger said.

“The school has been an excellent experience for the community, for the children as well as the adults,” she said. “It has broadened their horizons from one focus of music to broaden it with different styles of music and appreciation for those styles of music. I think this is a great asset for the community. Dr. Jessie Owens is doing a tremendous service to the community.”

Dr. Owens herself had served several decades as a music instructor within the local school system before retiring. Following her retirement, she noticed that her house was packed with so much sheet music that she didn’t know what to do with it all. So she decided to use it to start her own school, she explained.

“I am someone who loves music and who loves helping people,” she said. “It comes from this community and for the love of it here, so I have kids started early to help them improve.”

Her academy is hosted after school hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and offers students from first to ninth grade music lessons and classes on every type of instrument and musical style imaginable.

The Sankofa Chorale is a component of her academy, as their performances are often hosted during fundraisers for the school, such as their upcoming Juneteenth Gala at Polk State College.

As with any musical talent, their performances require three things to make it the best: practice, practice, and practice. Every week they practice for two hours, sometimes twice a week before big programs such as the spring concert on Sunday.

At the end of the day, being able to see so many likeminded musicians and singers come together to share their love and appreciation of music is more than worth the effort, especially when it involves a large turnout. The turnout for this concert especially more than exceeded expectations, Dr. Owens said.

“Putting all the different musicians together to show the talent they have in their community, and let them put together their own thing, let them do their own thing and shine themselves, coming together, it is coming together and going a fine job,” she said.

Dr. J. Owens Academy will be hosting two other upcoming events. Their student recital will be hosted at the church on May 4 at 1 p.m., and will be open to the public.

Their Juneteenth Gala, which is hosted as their annual fundraiser, will be hosted at Polk State College on June 1 at 6 p.m. For information and tickets, visit their website at: https://www.drjowensacademyfinearts.com/

Winter Haven Relay For Life Takes Off To Galaxy Far, Far Away

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

-

April 16, 2019

0

Winter Haven Relay For Life Takes Off To Galaxy Far, Far Away

by James Coulter

Sue Smith and her family know the struggles of cancer all too well. Her husband, Steve, was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago. He has long since recovered.

Her father was diagnosed with colon cancer on August 2017. He has since gone into remission, though he still suffers with the side effects of his treatments.

Sue herself was diagnosed with high risk ovarian cancer on January 2018. Like many of her loved ones before her, she has since survived it.

“‘Cancer’ is one of the toughest words we pray that we would never hear, and that we hope never enters into our home and family; but unfortunately, it becomes part of so many of our lives,” she said.

Though her past experiences with cancer, be it her own or that of her loved ones, have proven difficult, through it all, she has only come out stronger than before, and more than strong enough to continue the fight against the disease.

“Cancer is not an easy thing to go through,” she said. “I believe all the cancer survivors out here tonight will agree with me. Cancer is the hardest thing you have ever been through. But going through the cancer battle changes you as a person. You become a cancer warrior.”

Smith served as the Honorary Chair for this year’s Winter Haven Relay For Life, hosted on Friday evening in Downtown Central Park.

She and several dozen cancer survivors from the local community kicked off the event that evening by marching within the Survivor’s Lap around the park, honoring their victory against the disease.

They were later followed by the Caregiver’s Lap, which, true to its named, honored the achievements of local caregivers who assisted local cancer patients and survivors by having them march around the park.

Throughout the remainder of the evening, more than a dozen teams participating that evening took turns having their individual members walk laps around the park while other members offered food, games, and merchandise to help raise funds for the event.

More than 20 organizations from throughout the community participated that evening, including Heartland Church, BayCare, State Farm, and CenterState Bank. Each competed with one another in order to help raise the most funds.

Overall, exactly $90,218.55 was raised at the event, which was nearly three-thirds of the event’s goal of $120,000, according to their website.

This year’s theme took the event to a galaxy far, far away with a focus on “Star Wars.” Several teams participated in activities related to the movie, from offering a “Star Wars Angry Birds” slingshot game, to selling “Star Wars” treats such as lightsaber pretzel sticks and “Wookie cookies.” The event even saw an appearance from the Star Wars cosplayers of the 501st Legion.

Relay For Life is an annual nationwide event, organized by the American Cancer Society, hosted in communities across the country to help raise funds and awareness for cancer by honoring survivors who overcame the disease and remembering loved ones who unfortunately lost the battle.

This year’s event in Winter Haven was hosted in the new South Central Park. Chris Hazelwood, Relay for Life Chair, was most impressed by the new venue, and commented about how it would serve as a great location for many future events. The new event space especially proved valuable for their event, which attracted hundreds of participants willing to march in the battle against cancer, she said.

“It is an amazing gathering,” she said. “Over the next several hours, we will be on a life-changing journey that will celebrate those that have battled cancer, remember those we have lost, renew your commitment to fight against this disease and end it once and for all.”

Deb Schulte, Relay For Life Co-Chair, participated with her own team from BayCare. She commented how her own organization helps cancer patients and their families by them the best medical care.

“We are here again in our backyard to deliver the highest standard of cancer care with the greatest out come and the best value for our customers,” she said. “We strive to put the need of our customers. We strive to put the need of our customers as best as we can possible…Thank you, and together we can make a difference.”

For more information about this year’s event, visit their website at: https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR/RelayForLife/RFLCY19SER?pg=entry&fr_id=91358

DailyRidge.comFast Factual Free News!

DailyRidge.comFast Factual Free News!