Community News - Manatee Movers and Shakers, 7/21/2011

Rotary Club of East Manatee recognizes students

Each year, the Rotary Club of East Manatee recognizes exceptional fifth-graders at Williams and Gullett elementary schools with the Service Above Self awards for their citizenship and outstanding performance.

Facility and staff at each campus select a girl and boy using Rotary International’s Four-Way Test as the qualification standards:

First, Is it the truth?
Second, Is it fair to all concerned?
Third, Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
and Fourth, Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Each student is recognized publicly at the end-of-the-year awards ceremony and receives an achievement certificate along with a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.

This year’s recipients for Gullett Elementary were Claudia Sbaschnik and Josh Ghansiam. At Williams Elementary School, Alanna Duch and Chandler Reed received the top honors.

The Rotary Club of East Manatee, a service club with an eco focus, meets at 7 a.m. Thursdays at Popi’s Place, 3911 U.S. 301 N., Ellenton. People interested in local, national and international service projects can call President Ross Russo at 724-7974 for more information about the club and membership. The club website is ecorotary.org.

Students at USF Sarasota-Manatee work to end homelessness

Students at USF Sarasota-Manatee participated in a unique service learning course designed to promote engagement in community issues.  These students conducted outside research and volunteered at least 18 hours in the community this summer working to understand and find solutions for homelessness in Sarasota and Manatee counties.  At the end of the semester students presented their research findings, which will be included in the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in Sarasota County.  Research topics included: the growing number of homeless children in the community; government programs designed to help people stay in their homes; discharge planning and the importance of volunteerism; the development of a Mentoring and Advocacy Program; state budget cuts which affect homeless services; and issues relating specifically to homeless veterans.

A Brand New Online Photo Contest Raises Funds for Majical Miniatures Animal Rescue and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Calling all camera bugs! Here’s a chance to showcase your photography online while helping to raise funds for two worthwhile causes in our community!

Backyard Getaway & Team Legal Eagles are copresenting Take the Picture! an online photo contest fundraiser during the months of August, September and October. Each month’s category focuses on a different theme. In August, there will be a Nature Contest; in September, an Animal Contest; and in October, in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a Pink Contest.

Here’s how the contests will work. Photographers, professional or novice can submit one photo in each of the three contests.  The entry fees are $10 per photo or three photos for $25. If you enter your photo in one or all three categories before July 31, 2011 the entry fee will be waived! The photo submission deadlines are as follows: 

August contest: July 20, 2011;

Online voting will be August 1 - August 20

September contest: August 20, 2011;

Online voting will be held September 1 - September 20

October contest: September 20, 2011;

Online voting will be held October 1 - October 20

Photos entered in all three contests will be posted online at www.TakethePicture.org. 

Participating photographers are encouraged to ask their friends and family members to vote for their photos! First Prize will be awarded to the top vote earner in each category and an Honorable mention prize will be awarded in each category by a panel of judges. Because this is a fund-raiser, there will be a $1 charge for each vote cast with no limit to the number of votes placed.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Majical Miniatures will split the funds raised from the admission and voting fees equally. An annual non-competitive walking event sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has raised more than $400 million to fund the search for a cure for breast cancer. The three- to five-mile walks are held in cities throughout the country and have attracted an estimated seven million walkers since the event was launched in 1993.

Located in Parrish, Majical Miniatures is an animal sanctuary that rescues and rehabilitates wildlife, as well as exotic and farm animals. The 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, locally known as a place “where second chances are born,” relies on grants and donations to provide food, shelter and medical care for the animals that are given a safe home at the sanctuary.

A new chaplain is joining Saint Stephen's as the school begins the 2011-2012 academic year.  The Rev. Nathan Speck-Ewer's role at Saint Stephen's is to be a force for good - in the classroom, through weekly chapel, on the athletic field, as part of the administration, around campus, and in the local community.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Arkansas, Father Nathan holds degrees from Sewanee, The University of the South, and Yale University with additional post-graduate study in non-profit leadership and management at the Yale School of Management.

"While rector of a parish in California, I was also headmaster of its preschool and that experience taught me something about the unique call of Episcopal schools, and in particular, stirred me to realize a call to school ministry and leadership.  What drew me to Saint Stephen's was its mission, the chance to work with Head of School Jan Pullen and her team, and the opportunity for a ministry in and through the school," states Rev. Speck-Ewer.

Prior to coming to Saint Stephen's, Fr. Nathan served as Interim Rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Chapel at the University of Connecticut.  Fr. Nathan and his family have made their home in Bradenton.

Kerkering Barberio Welcomes Mary Brown, CPC

Kerkering, Barberio & Co., Certified Public Accountants, is very pleased to announce that Mary Brown, CPC, has joined our Healthcare Advisory Services Team as Senior Medical Consultant. Mary brings over fifteen year's experience in the healthcare field. Her background includes consultative and compliance services in a variety of practice areas, including: revenue cycle management, financial reporting, operations, procedure design and implementation, and compliance with third party regulatory requirements. She has worked with physician specialty groups, laboratories, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.Kathy Hargreaves, Shareholder, stated "With Mary's depth of knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry, she will be an asset to the firm and our medical clients."Kerkering, Barberio & Co. is one of the largest independent certified public accounting firms in Southwest Florida and offers a wide range of services to businesses, organizations, and individuals. The firm has been serving clients since 1972. Kerkering, Barberio & Co. has two locations: one at 1990 Main Street, Suite 801, Sarasota, FL, and one in Lakewood Ranch at 6320 Venture Drive, Suite 203, Lakewood Ranch, FL.