PCSO Searching for Suspcious Suspect That Approached a Student At Crystal Lake Middle School

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March 15, 2018

PCSO Searching for Suspcious Suspect That Approached a Student At Crystal Lake Middle School

PCSO responded to Crystal Lake Middle School in Lakeland this morning before 7:00 a.m. (prior to
school starting) in response to a suspicious person described as an adult white male, who spoke with a student outside the school who was there early with her parent who works there.

The suspect took off on foot in a direction away from the school prior to deputies arriving. Deputies
are still in the area looking for the suspect, including searching with the helicopter and K-9 units. The school was not locked down due to his direction of travel, and the fact that the incident occurred prior to school starting.

In an abundance of caution, deputies are maintaining a presence on school grounds, and in the area, and will continue to look for the suspect.

If anyone has additional information or saw something suspicious during that time frame, they are urged to contact PCSO at 863-298-6200.

Lake Wales Medical Center Honors Volunteers

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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March 14, 2018

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Lake Wales Medical Center Honors Volunteers

LWMC HONORS VOLUNTEERS

(Lake Wales Medical Center Volunteer of the Year Ellen Donohue, left, is congratulated by HIM Director Deb Narayan.)

Lake Wales, FL – Lake Wales Medical Center lauded its hospital volunteers recently at a special luncheon held in their honor.

“Our volunteers, in many ways, are the lifeblood of the hospital,” said Julie Sing, Director of Volunteer Services at the hospital. “An army of nearly 100 volunteers helps behind the scenes and in public areas of the hospital, doing all kinds of tasks. They donated more than 16,000 hours last year. They do it simply because they want to help make their community better, and we truly appreciate the invaluable service they provide to the hospital staff, patients and visitors.

Ellen Donohue, who volunteers in medical records, was named Volunteer of the Year.

“She is proactive, doesn’t wait to be told what to do, is efficient and catches items that need to be corrected,” a hospital employee wrote in nominating Ellen for the honor. “If she knows that another volunteer will not be available to come in, or if she knows there is work to be done, she will come in on her days off.”

Echoing that sentiment, Sing added, “Ellen has even been known to take neighbors to doctor appointments, and then come in to the hospital to volunteer while she waits for them to finish their appointments.”

Jack Hamilton, a former Volunteer of the Year recipient, was honored with the Dedication to Service Award. Jack, who volunteers at the main lobby information desk, is always pleasant, always has a smile, is a great helper, and is always willing to pick up extra shifts when needed.

“Jack is one of those people who everyone in the building knows and loves,” Sing said. “If Jack is ever gone on a trip or not at the hospital for a while, employees start asking me where he is. He’s missed when he’s not here. And he takes great care of our visitors when he’s here.”

The hospital also awarded several Community Cares awards, which are given to volunteers who exemplify the spirit of the hospital’s Community Cares culture of making patients and visitors feel like family when they’re at the hospital. The Community Cares recipients are:

Marilyn Gibson, Admitting and Registration
Edwin Friedlander, Gift Shop
Jessica McPhail, Main Lobby Information Desk
Alan Powell, who plays guitar and sings for patients in the hospital’s geriatric psychiatric unit
Marcia Chatfield, Hunt Lobby Information Desk

The hospital also awarded service hour pins to the following volunteers:

9,500 hours: David Fehser

3,500 hours: Edwin Friedlander and Marianne Siders

3,000 hours: Jane Beai, Susan Fehser, Barbara Hitchcock, Peggy Sabatino and Gloria Wurth

2,000 hours: Mary Hudnell, Mary Beth McGill, Mike Oftedahl, and Rosemary Quinlan

1,500 hours: Marilyn Gibson, Mary Luhr, Jessica McPhail, Lois Sessions and Betty VanDellen

1,000 hours: Lorraine Bundick, Jack Hamilton, Stephanie Jester and Al Marple

500 hours: Ellen Donohue, Suzanne Mulkin and Beverly Stillwagon

100 hours: Linda Beaty, Bill Burke, Peg Champion, Clarice Evans, Janet Felton, David Holeton, Lynda Perry, Jerry Juniper, Katie Schnarre, Sharon Stanzione, Lois Stark, Sue Turoski, and Barbara Mustefeld.

Lake Wales Medical Center is a 160-bed acute care hospital that has been providing excellent patient care to Lake Wales and the surrounding communities since 1928. For more information about becoming a hospital volunteer, call Julie Sing at 863-240-0967.

WHPD Seeking Man Wanted For Alleged Violent Domestic Abuse

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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March 13, 2018

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WHPD Seeking Man Wanted For Alleged Violent Domestic Abuse

WHPD Press Release

Winter Haven, Florida – A warrant has been obtained for the arrest of 47 year-old Willie Bill Coleman of Winter Haven for Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon, Tampering With a Witness and Domestic Violence by Strangulation, all charged third degree felonies.

Winter Haven detectives were called to the Winter Haven Hospital Emergency Room where the victim was being treated for multiple scratches, contusions and bite marks. The victim and Coleman got into a verbal argument that quickly turned physical. When the victim attempted to leave, Coleman began screaming and grabbed the victim by the throat cutting off the airflow.
Ultimately, Colemen let go of the victim and he went into the restroom. As the victim attempted to gather car keys to leave, Coleman once again got physically aggressive pushing the victim down to the floor, punching and biting the victim. Coleman ultimately grabbed the cell phone from the victim and he told the victim that he would call police and they would either both go to jail or he would kill the victim.
The victim was eventually able to walk out of the room, grabbing the keys and leaving the property and headed straight for the Police Department. Officers immediately sought medical help for the victim.
Coleman has an extensive criminal history to include:
DV Battery w/ prior conviction – 01/03/18
DV Agg Battery – 07/08/17
Hit & Run – 02/14/16
DV Battery – 05/09/14
DV Battery by Strangulation – 10-29-13
Agg. Battery – 09/25/13
DV Battery, prior convictions – 08/24/13
DV Battery by Strangulation – 05/04/13
KDWLSR – 05/16/12 (Known Driving While License Suspended or Revoked)
KDWLSR – 01/29/12
Agg Assault w/ Deadly Weapon – 01/29/12
Felony Battery – 01/29/12
KDWLSR – 02/10/11
DV Battery – 05/19/09
KDWLSR – 04/08/08
False info to LEO – 01/02/03
DWLSR – 11/22/01
DWLSR – 09/23/01
DWLSR – 10/01/99
Possession of Cocaine – 09/20/93
DV Battery – 03/04/92
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Willie Bill Coleman is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately. Those who wish to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH reward should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward of up to $3,000.

Police Search for suspect in Haines City Shooting

Haines City

Staff Reporter

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March 13, 2018

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Police Search for suspect in Haines City Shooting

HAINES CITY, FL – The Haines City Police Department is searching for a suspect involved in a shooting Sunday evening in the area of 29 Ash Street, Haines City.

The suspect is identified as, Patrick Perez, a 25-year-old man, who was in an altercation with the victim before the shooting. The victim and Perez agreed to meet at the above location to talk. Upon the victim’s arrival, Perez opened the passenger side door of the vehicle, fired an assault rifle downward striking the victim in the hip. The victim was transported to a local hospital for further treatment and currently is listed in stable condition.

An arrest warrant has been obtained for Patrick Perez on felony charges of Armed Burglary with Assault, Aggravated Battery, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle.

The suspect’s past criminal history includes DV Battery, Resisting LEO with violence, Resisting LEO without violence, Possession of Firearm and Ammunition by Convicted Felon, Grand Theft, and Disorderly Conduct. He was sentenced 1 year and 2 months (served 6 months) in State Prison for Burglary to Occupied Dwelling and Grand Theft.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Haines City Police Department at 863 421-3636.

Anyone with information who wants to REMAIN ANONYMOUS and be eligible for a CASH REWARD is asked to call HEARTLAND CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-226-TIPS or log onto www.P3tips.com to submit your tip via the web. For a secure and password protected mobile app for your smart device, go to the app store and download the free “P3tips” mobile app. No caller ID, no recorded lines, no tracking cookies, no saved IP addresses. Anonymity is guaranteed!!

OUR MISSION
“To safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and to enhance public safety while working with our diverse communities to improve their quality of life. Our mandate is to do so with honor and integrity while at all times conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence.”

A Look Into the Everyday Life of Charlie Bird, Winter Haven Chief of Police

Staff Reporter

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March 13, 2018

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A Look Into the Everyday Life of Charlie Bird, Winter Haven Chief of Police

By Allison Williams

Winter Haven Police Chief Charlie Bird is a strong believer in community relationships. The community and the Winter Haven Police Department both play an important role in keeping the town safe. Having been the Winter Haven Police Chief for three years now, he recognizes this every single day.

Before becoming the chief, Bird was a captain under former Police Chief Gary Hester. Growing up, Bird did not always have the police career path. He actually lived in Houston, Texas to be with his father to help run the family business.

During this time, Bird had a couple of friends who moved to Winter Haven to join the police department. He was able to do a couple ride-alongs with these friends and this sparked his interest in the police field.

After this, Bird became a dispatcher where he was living in Houston. As time passed and he gained more experience, he became more and more interested in the police field. “That’s what gave me the bug,” Bird said, referring to engaging in ride-alongs and being a dispatcher. “The bug bit me.” It was then that he knew this was the path he wanted to take.

When Bird moved to the Winter Haven area, he was a captain. Chief Gary Hester pushed him to advance his career path and attend school for a Master’s degree to prepare for possibly becoming the chief one day.

“Hester pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Bird said. “He was a mentor.”

Hester invested his time into helping Bird along with David Brannan, current Deputy Chief. They got their education, gained leadership abilities and were constantly challenged by Hester.

“He invested in us so when the time came, we were ready,” Bird said. This was not always at the top of Bird’s mind. He was happy to even become a lieutenant one day.

“Sometimes you don’t realize your potential until you have someone who mentors you and pushes you out of your comfort zone and stretches you a little bit,” Bird said, referring to all that Hester did for him. “I am glad that he pushed me. I enjoy it and love the challenges.”

The community plays huge part in Bird’s job. Not only do people from the community give the Winter Haven Police Department encouraging compliments, the department puts a focus on community relationships from the start.

The community is involved in a number of ways. “We have a community member who helps us on the hiring selection process and promotional boards,” Bird said. “We have a program here for new hires and new officers. They’ll spend between 8-20 hours of community service time.”

These officers engage in numerous community programs, including feeding the homeless, spending time with the elderly, and involving themselves in the Boys and Girls club and other after school programs.

“We want to enforce the importance of community relations right from the beginning so they know it’s important,” Bird said. “When you’re teaching them right from the beginning, they are working on those relationships all along.”

The Winter Haven Police Department offering these programs from the start is a huge reason why the community relationships are so strong today. The involvement within the community is constant and always growing.

Bird believes that police are perceived very well within the community. “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t get a phone call, email, text, or someone stops me on the street and gives a compliment about one of my officers and how they conducted themselves at a particular call,” Bird said. He compared this proud feeling to being a proud father. He is gratified by the compliments his department gets on a daily basis.

There are currently 89 officers sworn at the Winter Haven Police Department. He is consistently proud of these officers. There has been over a 12% reduction this year in crime. “We have a good crime suppression model that we utilize and we execute it,” Bird said. “Again it goes back to that community relation.”

Without the assistance of the community, the police department would not be able to complete its mission.

“The community shares just as much responsibility in reducing that crime rate as the men and women of the police department,” Bird said.

Bird explained the added tool officers use that has made a positive impact on the community. Since implementing the use of Narcan, officers have been able to save many more lives. Last year alone, many officers were recognized for saving lives due to use of the Narcan nasal spray. This is used when officers expect an opioid overdose. It can literally bring people back to life in some instances. Narcan is meant to have an immediate effect on an individual. Just one week after officers starting carrying it, a life was saved. Bird is proud of that progress.

“We are out here to help our community, which then goes right back to the relationship with the community,” Bird said. “There is always a common thread that pulls it together.”

Being Chief of Police, Bird’s job changes on a daily basis. He has to stay on his toes because there is a ton of variety to his job and something is always going on. He has a new level of respect for other chiefs out there.

“I always have the betterment of our officers and employees in my heart when I’m doing things,” Bird said. “Everything I try to do, I try to do for the betterment of this department and of the city.”

While off duty, Chief Bird enjoys spending time with his family, especially outdoors.

Whether it’s hunting, fishing or shooting clay targets, he likes being outdoors. He considers himself a “sportsman at heart.”

Upcoming event:

The Polk County Police Chiefs’ Charitable Foundation Inc. is hosting its annual clay shoot to raise money for college scholarships given to the children of officers. Bird enjoys attending this event and said it’s been a good program thus far.

This year the Sporting Clays Fun Shoot is taking place on Saturday, April 14 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Catfish Creek Sporting Clays, located at 5000 Firetower Road in Haines City, Florida.

Breakfast and lunch will be served along with the shooting event and awards. For more information, stop by the Lakes Wales Police Department to pick up an event pamphlet.

Crime and Crime Rate Both Continue to Decline in PCSO Jurisdiction – Unincorporated Polk & Contract Cities

Staff Reporter

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March 13, 2018

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Crime and Crime Rate Both Continue to Decline in PCSO Jurisdiction – Unincorporated Polk & Contract Cities

PCSO Release:

Crime in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office primary law enforcement response area is down 10.4% in 2017. According to Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data, as reported semi-annually and annually to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), there were 823 fewer crimes in 2017 than in 2016 in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s primary jurisdiction.

The Sheriff’s Office’s jurisdiction includes all of unincorporated Polk County; cities contracted with the PCSO including Polk City, Frostproof, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Dundee, and Mulberry; and the town of Hillcrest Heights and the village of Highland Park.

“Despite an increase in population, crime continues to decline in unincorporated Polk County and our contract cities. We would not see this decline in crime if it weren’t for the ongoing and invaluable support of our citizens and the hard work and dedication of our full-time and over 3,000 volunteer members. We will continue to work together, proactively and effectively, to fight crime and keep our neighborhoods safe.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

There were 7,880 crimes in 2016 as compared to 7,057 crimes in 2017, a total reduction in reported crimes of 10.4%.

There were decreases in all 7 crime categories: homicides, forced sex offenses, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, larcenies, and motor vehicle thefts. Violent crime decreased 12.2% and non-violent crime decreased 10.1%.

Overall incidence of crime was down 10.4% and the crime rate (crimes per 100 persons) is down 12.3%.

Crime in the Polk County unincorporated area and Sheriff’s Office contract cities:

Category	2016	2017
Homicides	14	11
Forced Sex Offenses	139	81
Robberies	135	133
Aggravated Assaults	1,086	981
Burglaries	1,748	1,475
Larcenies	4,124	3,790
Motor Vehicle Thefts	634	586

TOTAL CRIMES	7,880	7,057

Polk crime rate is at historic low.

Polk County’s crime rate in the unincorporated areas and contract cities (for which the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is responsible) also dropped from 2016 to 2017, according to the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) statistics reported annually to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The crime rate, which is the number of crimes per 100 residents, is down 12.3% from 2016 (1.87) to 2017 (1.64). This is the lowest crime rate ever measured in PCSO’s jurisdiction, breaking the previous record low of 1.87 crimes per 100 from last year. Reliable crime statistics in Polk County started in 1971, when the crime rate was recorded at 4.16 crimes per 100.

Since 1997, the crime rate in Polk County has fallen by 75%. In 2017, the Polk/PCSO crime rate was 48% less than the most recently release Florida state crime rate in 2016 (1.64 compared to 3.18).

Trash To Treasure Raises Funds For Blankets For 15th Year

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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March 12, 2018

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Trash To Treasure Raises Funds For Blankets For 15th Year

by James Coulter

From ceramic vases and wooden spoons, to Christmas ornaments and Easter eggs, anything that you wanted to look for, chances are Trash to Treasure Sale offered it on Saturday.

The biennial fundraiser for the Blankets of Love at Lake Ashton drew in curious crowds last Saturday at the Lake Ashton Clubhouse in Lake Wales, offering everything from old furniture to antiques and trinkets of all shapes and sizes.

Blankets of Love at Lake Ashton (BOLLA) is a local non-profit organization that helps provide blankets for children in crisis throughout the county.

With more than 80 members within the Lake Ashton area, the group sews and collects blankets, which they then offer to school and other local organizations to distribute to children who may need them.

More than 1,200 blankets have been provided yearly, and they only hope to provide even more this year, explained Pat Neaves, BOLLA Chairperson.

Ever since they started fifteen years ago, they have been hosting this fundraiser every two years, allowing them to raise up to $15-16,000 for their organization.

“This is our main fundraiser, and it brings in a lot of money for us,” she said.

The organization starts collecting donations of gently-used items to sell as merchandise for their sale up to three weeks in advanced, and starts setting everything up for the big event the day before.

Aside from selling fairly-priced antiques, the event also serves hot dog lunches with drinks and chips, the non-profit proceeds of which also go towards the organization and its efforts.

Helping with the organization’s fifteen year-long success has been the cooperation of the local community, both with the members and volunteers who participate within BOLLA, and the local community who donate and purchase merchandise for the event.

The fact that the sale offers everything at a fair price and for a good cause brings in buyers and sellers each and every time, Neaves said.

“We have the support of the community,” she said. “It is the fact that everyone is happy and we get a lot of positive comments because it is for charity.”

For volunteers such as Marsha Blasko, who had been participating in BOLLA and the sale for the past 11 years, being able to contribute to a great cause makes their efforts all the more worthwhile.

“It has grown a little bit each time, because it is every other year, and the community is very supportive,” she said. “It is good because it draws a lot of good things from the people who live here.”

BOLLA meets every Monday at the Lake Ashton Clubhouse Craft Room from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit the Lake Ashton website at: http://www.ashtonliving.net/

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit Investigating a Two-Vehicle Crash in Lake Wales

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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March 12, 2018

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Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit investigating a two-vehicle crash in Lake Wales

Preliminary information so far is as follows:

On Sunday, March 11, 2018, around 9:51 p.m., a 1999 silver Honda Civic driven by 19-year-old Jose Avila was traveling west on Highway 60 when he fell asleep behind the wheel. While traveling west on Highway 60 he rear-ended 46-year-old Stephanie Stegall of Lake Wales, who was driving a 1997 black Nissan Pathfinder. Stegall was also traveling west on Highway 60.

When Avila struck Stegall’s car, she lost control of the vehicle, slid sideways, and struck the brick wall on the north side of the road. After striking the wall, the Pathfinder started to roll and the passenger, 40-year-old Craig Stegall of Lake Wales, was ejected from the passenger seat.

Craig Stegall was transported to the Osceola Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased from his injuries. Stephanie Stegall was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical center and was treated for minor injuries. Detectives determined both Craig and Stephanie were not wearing seatbelts during the crash, and the frontal airbags did not deploy. Avila was not injured, and he was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Highway 60 westbound in this area was closed for approximately 4.5 hours.

Repeat Offender Flees PCSO Deputy After Attempted Traffic Stop

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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March 12, 2018

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Repeat Offender Flees PCSO Deputy After Attempted Traffic Stop

PCSO Release:

On Thursday, March 8, 2018, PCSO deputies arrested 34-year-old Eddie Steadman of Lakeland for possession of methamphetamine (F3), fleeing or attempting to elude (F3), resisting arrest without violence (M1), and possession of drug paraphernalia (M1). It all started from what would have been a simple seatbelt violation.

According to the affidavit, around 3:00 p.m., a deputy observed a driver of an orange Ford Focus not wearing his seatbelt and attempted to conduct a traffic stop at Ernest Smith Boulevard and Highway 98 in Bartow. Steadman began to pull his car over, and then accelerated east on Ernest Smith Boulevard.

A pursuit was not initiated and deputies sent out a BOLO (be on the lookout) to other local agencies. Bartow Police Department later notified PCSO that a vehicle matching the description from the BOLO, had just been involved in a car crash near Highway 17 and Ernest Smith Boulevard in Bartow.

Witnesses told deputies they saw a man matching the description of the driver flee on foot and into the woods after the car crash. A perimeter was set-up; PCSO aviation and K9 Units also responded to the scene. Steadman was found just north of the Krazy Kooter’s Lounge located at 1725 U.S. Highway 17 in Bartow.

Deputies discovered that Steadman had a warrant, coincidentally for aggravated fleeing to elude.

During a search of the vehicle deputies found methamphetamine and a smoking pipe. Steadman was transported to Bartow Medical Center for shortness of breath. He was treated and released for minor injuries from the car crash and was transported to the Polk County Jail.

“If you look at Steadman’s criminal history, he has tried to flee from law enforcement before. You would think he would have learned his lesson by now. If it didn’t work then, it certainly wasn’t going to work this time.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

Eddie Steadman has a previous criminal history. He has been to state prison 3 times, has 13 previous felony and 18 previous misdemeanor charges to include the following: VOP, Burglary, Aggravated flee to elude, reckless driving, grand theft of a motor vehicle, trespassing, burglary, petit theft, contempt, possession of meth and drug paraphernalia, criminal mischief, giving false ID to LEO, battery, DWLSR, and selling dangerous drugs.

Lake Wales Fundraiser Has Been “Rockin on the River” For Four Years

Staff Reporter

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March 12, 2018

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Lake Wales Fundraiser Has Been “Rockin on the River” For Four Years

by James Coulter

As someone who has been working with the past ten years at Victory Ridge Academy, a Lake Wales school that caters to students with special needs, Lora Donley has worked alongside many children with Autism.

One such student, Landon, is also the son of a close personal friend of hers, Keri Callaham, and who also has been attending the Academy for as long as Donley has been volunteering there.

“He is special to me and my family, and there is a bunch of kids on the school that are all very special,” she explained. “You just love them all.”

As such, she only has the biggest heart towards helping spread awareness and raise funds for autism and other special needs, especially during Autism Awareness Month in April.

Helping to kick off that month and those efforts is a local annual musical venue, Rockin on the River, an event hosted at Camp Mack and whose proceeds go towards raising awareness and donations for Victory Ridge Academy.

(Photo from 2016)

“Polk County is a great group of people who are real quick to jump on the bandwagon and get together to help one another, and we are blessed that they have accepted and adopted the Rockin on the River event,” Donley said.

For the past four years, Rockin on the River has been providing a live local venue for bands and other musical groups to perform over two consecutive days and help raise funds that benefit local organizations that address Autism and other special needs.

The main benefactor of the fundraising event is Victory Ridge Academy, along with a few other smaller organizations such as the Side Street Art Beat in Winter Haven and Circle of Friends in Lake Wales.

Ever since it started four years ago, Rockin on the River has only grown in attendance and revenues, as they continue to raise more donations each and every year, Donley explained.

“Our goal is to get more people out there, not just to spend money, but to be part of the two day event, have a good time while doing it for a good cause,” she said. “It’s just a win-win.”

Joining this year’s event will be seven bands and other musicians from across the county and even the country, including Ira Dean, a national Grammy-nominated recording artist and CMT Award winner from Nashville.

As someone who also supports raising awareness for special needs, such a nationally-acclaimed musician as himself performing at such a small local event is nothing short of an honor, Donley said.

The event will also serve as the end point of a poker run with 100 motorcycles starting in Winter Haven and passing through the county before ending at the musical venue.

The brains behind the entire operation has been John Straughn, who started the event along with a few other local individuals in an effort to help promote Autism awareness within the local community.

As someone whose son has Autism, Straughn understands firsthand the importance of promoting awareness and providing resources to people within the spectrum, especially since such resources are scarce within the county.

“People gravitate towards that with a good cause and out of their pocket book to help donate and push this cause along,” he said. “We get good corporate support with different organizations stepping up to the plate and help keep this thing going.”

As such, his longtime goal is to raise enough money and resources to construct an assisted living facility for individuals with autism and other special needs, similar to the facilities provided by Noah’s Ark in Lakeland.

“Florida does not have a lot of opportunities for residential facilities on this side of the county,” Donley said. “But he would like to build something on this side so that his loved ones can live on their own, live an independent life, but still have the governance of someone else when they need it.”

For Donley, there’s nothing she loves more than hosting an event like this in the heart of the old-fashioned Florida wilderness and seeing so many people come together to not only support a good cause but also have a good time doing so.

She especially loves being able to see young children, especially those with Autism and other special needs, frolicking about during the event and likewise enjoying themselves.

As the event is for them, nothing takes higher priority than their own enjoyment and needs.

“I like to walk through the crowds and see them happy and having a good time,” Donley said. “The biggest enjoyment is to see the kids go on stage to be presented with a check, or see the director talk about the kids. Spending time with them makes you feel good.”

Rockin on the River will be hosted at Camp Mack, located at 14900 Camp Mack Road in Lake Wales, on Fri., Apr. 6, and Sat., Apr. 7. The event is free with $5 for parking.

For more information, visit their website at: http://www.autismrockinontheriver.com/

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