Lealman Voice Edition 20
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Credit: Leo Gomez Studios
Hello there.
It is a pleasure to welcome all our new and returning readers to the Lealman Community. We welcome your support and interest, whether you are joining us for the first time or returning for more.
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Give back with Lealman Fire
The Lealman Firefighters are continuing their tradition of donating food and gifts to families in need for the 2023 holiday season. Last year, with the help of organizations, they were able to provide over 150 families with holiday meals and give 3000 less fortunate children gifts for Christmas.
They are asking for your thoughtfulness and generosity to continue providing support for those in need, as they have for over 25 years. There are a couple of ways in which you can help:
Cash Donation: You can make a cash donation to help the firefighters purchase food and gifts.
Sponsor a Box: You can sponsor one or more of their food and/or toy collection boxes. By sponsoring a box, you commit to finding a way to fill that box as many times as possible. The most effective way to do this is to make filling the boxes a competition within your business or offer an incentive to your patrons for donating.
The firefighters aim to lessen the number of children who will go without on Thanksgiving and Christmas. With your support, they can help reduce the heartbreak and disappointment of no food for Thanksgiving and Santa not coming to their house. They do this for the kids and thank you in advance for any support you can lend to helping them. If you have any questions or would like to help in any way, please contact them at 727-526-5650 ext. 527.
Tuesdays & Thursdays at the Lealman Exchange
YMCA Senior Exercise: Tu/Th 9 a.m.
YMCA Total Parkinson's Exercise: Tu/Th 10-11 a.m.
November 18th @ 9:00 a.m.
Mobile Pet Clinic @ LEX
November 18th @ 10:00 a.m.
Tech Cadet Workshop: Web Development 101
November 18th @ 5:00 p.m.
LANFC Thanksgiving Dinner
December 1st @ 6:30 p.m.
Lealman Christmas Tree Lighting
February 10th @ 12:00 p.m.
Lealman Honey & Arts Festival
Pinellas County to honor veterans with free bus rides and more
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is saluting veterans by offering free bus rides starting Friday (Nov. 10).
The initiative started as a class project by University of South Florida student and veteran Steven Brown. During his Florida Politics and Government class, where students tackle an issue and present their solution to the relevant governing body, Brown and a group of students developed a proposal to allow Pinellas County veterans with disabilities to ride public buses for free.
In March, the students presented their proposal in front of the PSTA Board of Directors, who passed the motion and expanded it to allow all Pinellas County veterans.
“We can definitely save a lot of lives, getting people back and forth to the doctor, to see their grandkids on the weekend, going to get groceries, whatever they need,” said Brown. “Investing in public transportation is not only good for the community, but for the environment as well, with cutting down carbon emissions. I’m really happy and excited.”
“The Veterans Pass program is our way of showing appreciation for their service – and also making sure they have access to the transportation they need to get medical care, shop for groceries or stay connected with family,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “When you think about the sacrifices these men and women have made, it feels really good to know that they won’t have to worry about getting where they need to be. They stepped up to keep us safe – they should be able to enjoy the great community they helped protect.”
Brown is hoping the momentum from this initiative will help propel his advocacy work throughout the state.
“We’re setting the example here, so the next steps are to go over to Hillsborough and see if we can do this over there, then maybe Miami-Dade, Tallahassee, maybe even a state-level bill,” said Brown.
CES Students of the Month
Ms. Dawn’s Student of the Month is Declan Byrd. Declan is a happy, friendly, amazing student who is eager to learn anything and everything he can. He loves to share things he learns, and he always does it with a smile. Declan is not afraid to try new things and always works hard to excel. He is an important member of our classroom community and is loved by his peers and teacher.
Ms. Thomas’ Student of the Month is Aria Christian. Aria has improved her reading level and she loves helping her teacher.
Ms. Cook-Martin’s Student of the Month is Demetrius Roberson. Demetrius consistently shows respect for his peers and his teacher. He is a kind and considerate student. Demetrius has shown continuous improvement and dedication to practicing his reading.
Mrs. Mitchell’s Student of the Month is Gabriella Matherne. Gabby is such a sweet young lady who greets teachers each morning and afternoon with a smile and kind words. Being polite is just part of who she is and how she treats others. She doesn’t draw attention to herself, but she does what needs to be done. We can always count on her to do the right thing whether we are watching or not.
Mr. Golden’s Student of the Month is T'yanna Rice. T'yanna has great potential. She is our 7th grade Student Council representative. She is capable of great things.
Ms. Ortiz-Thompson’s Student of the Month is Faith Clyburn. Faith is an absolute pleasure to have in class. She is always ready to work and completes everything asked of her.
Tierra Verde's 13th Annual Tree Lighting Provides Christmas for Lealman Children
The Tierra Verde Tree lighting is one of the island’s signature events held every December to inspire holiday traditions, community service, and unity spirit of the neighbors. The event originally started in 2010, chaired by resident Gaye Wurzbacher, and it quickly transformed into a partnership with the Lealman Fire Rescue for their Christmas outreach program. In 2011, the second annual Tierra Verde Tree Lighting began to collect toys to donate to the program and the community service part of this event began.
The event's local charity partner, the Lealman Fire Christmas program, provides toys for less fortunate children in the community every year along with family meals and gift cards to support their holiday needs. Last year Lealman was able to provide toys to children and family holiday meals to over 100 families and many more children! Lealman continues their support year-round 24/7 by providing family support to those less fortunate with cash, housing and clothing. Tierra Verde and Lealman Fire’s partnership has been successful in helping to support registered local children and families and this year they will continue the growing tradition again.
The raffle and local businesses
In 2013, the 3rd year of the Tierra Verde Tree Event, the event committee was able to add that every toy donor would get a free raffle ticket. If you have not seen the gift baskets that are available to win at the Tree Lighting event then you will be amazed when you see them at this year's event. They are an exciting part of the event closing where every winner is called to the stage to get a basket if their ticket is pulled. These baskets are well worth the anticipation of winning including gift certificates and packages from Tierra Verde businesses and the surrounding area. Thank you to all the businesses that donate items to these baskets every year.
Volunteer and support
Come out to enjoy the island event this year on Saturday, December 2nd. There are many ways to help serve at the event this year! Below is a list of ways to show your support:
Come to the event & bring a toy to donate
Sign up to volunteer on their website (listed below)
Donate a rafile prize for the baskets
Make a cash donation purchase food and gifts
Join the Lealman Adopt a Family program - They provide the wish list for a whole family
Sponsor a toy box at your business for customers to bring a gift anytime
Don't miss this years event on December2nd for holiday spirit, unity, community service and fun!
For more information on the event, to volunteer or become a sponsor, you can visit their site at: https://tierraverdeevents.wixsite.com/treelighting
Event Schedule
December 2nd, 2023
4:00-8:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. Event begins with musical entertainment
5:00 p.m. Santa arrives!
5:30 p.m. Holiday pet parade
6:00 p.m. Lighting of the Christmas tree
6:30 p.m. Raffle winners announced
7:00 p.m. Musical entertainment
Vacancies announced on Lealman CRA Advisory Committee
Applications are being accepted for four appointments to the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area. These appointments are for a three year term, beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, and expiring on Dec. 31, 2027, and will be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners as a whole.
The Lealman CRA Advisory Committee was established to advise the Pinellas County Community Redevelopment Agency on the creation and administration of the Lealman CRA redevelopment plan, any amendments thereto, and on issues and policies impacting the Lealman CRA.
The committee has nine members who are appointed by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. Applicants must be residents, business and/or property owners or other stakeholders from within the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area. A boundary map of the area can be found online at https://pinellas.gov/lealman-cra-boundary-area-map. The bylaws of the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee are available online at https://pinellas.gov/lealman-cra-advisory-committee-bylaws. Presently the committee meets six times per year, on the fourth Wednesday of every other month. Meeting dates may be cancelled or adjusted as needed, however.
Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. The application can be found at https://pinellas.gov/boards-councils-and-committees/.
Please Note: All materials submitted to Pinellas County government are subject to the public records law of the state of Florida.
Kelly Wemken
Please introduce yourself to your neighbors.
My name is Kelly Wemken and I moved here from the suburbs of Chicago IL. I have a husband, 3 grown children and a rescue Bichon Frisée named Eli.
How many years have you lived in Lealman? I have lived in the area since 2013 and on a permanent basis from 2020.
What organizations are you involved in? Currently I am working part time for the St. Petersburg YMCA as a Health and Wellness Specialist teaching a variety of classes from Cardio & Functional Fitness to Gentle Restorative and Chair Yoga. I volunteer with the Trash Pirates of Madeira Beach keeping the area looking squeaky clean and have been involved with animal rescues walking and fostering dogs. Working with other charitable organizations with food drives, raffles etc. keeps me very busy.
What gets you out of bed every day?
A few things get me out of bed in the morning! My dog, he comes first, teaching and facilitating fun exercise and Community Wellness classes at the Lealman Exchange, the YMCA in Bardmoor, Jim and Heather Gills Y and Soon the new Speer location and the Beach!
What is one thing you’ve seen change for the better in Lealman in the last few years?
The parks and seeing new business are wonderful changes to the area that I can walk to which brings Eli and I daily happiness.
What’s next for you?
As far as the future, I’d like to continue to learn more, travel more and stay happy, healthy and active.
You can find Kelly at the Lealman Exchange for the following classes:
YMCA Senior Exercise: Tu/Th @ 9 a.m.
YMCA Total Parkinson's Exercise: Tu/Th 10-11 a.m.
Coming soon: Mindful Movement adaptive yoga (day and time TBD)
Career Corner
Administrative Support Statefarm
Qualifications
Accurate typing skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Experience working in an office setting
Strong computer skills and experience working in an electronic/digital environment
Applicants are required to be eligible to lawfully work in the U.S. immediately; employer will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work opportunity
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