Scarecrow Contest at the Lealman Harvest Festival

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Welcome to The Lealman Voice

Welcome to the Lealman Voice!

The Lealman Voice is all about keeping our community connected and informed. Each issue highlights local programs, events, and the people making a difference right here in Lealman. If you have neighborhood updates, upcoming activities, or success stories to share, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can keep the Lealman community strong, engaged, and moving forward.

#lealmanstrong 

Open Gym Nights at the Lealman Exchange

Looking for a fun, free way to stay active and meet your neighbors? The Lealman Exchange’s Open Basketball program welcomes community members every Monday and Wednesday from 6–9 p.m. for open gym basketball.

The program gives residents of all ages a safe, well-lit space to shoot hoops, unwind after work, and connect with others in the community. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking for some friendly pickup games, Open Basketball is about more than basketball — it’s about building relationships and belonging.

No registration is needed — just show up, bring a friend, and join the fun at the Lealman Exchange.

What's Happening @ LEX

View more events on the LEX Community Calendar!

Cardiac arrest survivor reunites with nurse, first responders, and hospital team who saved his life

VIA Tampa Bay 28

In a reunion on Wednesday morning, October 29th, Thomas Schaefer embraced the nurse, first responders, and medical teams whose rapid action and expert care brought him back to life after a sudden cardiac arrest.

The event at HCA Florida Northside Hospital honored the heroic efforts of nurse Tori Walker, who administered eight minutes of CPR to Schaefer at his home after being alerted by his 20-year-old son. Schaefer was shocked back to life dozens of times, coded on the operating table, and endured a touch-and-go stay in the ICU before making a remarkable recovery.

Tampa Bay 28 reporter Julie Salomone talked to Schaefer in the hospital as he recovered earlier this month.

The American Heart Association presented Walker with the National Heartsaver Award during the ceremony, recognizing her lifesaving response and her decision to return to work at Northside Hospital following the incident.

Hospital leaders also recognized first responders from Sunstar EMS, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, and Lealman Fire District, as well as emergency, critical care, and cardiac care teams, presenting them with custom challenge coins in appreciation of their roles in Schaefer’s survival.

FDOT launches local workforce development initiative

Via St. Pete Catalyst

St. Petersburg College is facilitating OnBoard Tampa Bay, a new regional workforce development initiative that ensures residents can participate in planned infrastructure projects totaling over $6 billion.

OnBoard Tampa Bay connects contractors with a pipeline of skilled and unskilled workers, and over 140 are currently hiring through the platform. The Florida Department of Transportation-sponsored program also provides wraparound services, including mentoring, transportation assistance and career coaching, to ensure job retention and career advancement.

SPC will take a hands-on approach when preparing and placing residents into high-demand transportation and infrastructure jobs. FDOT awarded 459 construction contracts totaling $4.69 billion in fiscal year 2022-23, creating a critical need for a local talent pipeline.

“The end goal is to create careers for these folks,” said Elizabeth Winters, transportation planning manager at FDOT. “If they’re willing and they want to, we want to make sure they have what they need to make that happen.”

OnBoard Tampa Bay’s overarching goal is to meet critical workforce demands while increasing economic mobility for local communities. Belinthia Berry, dean of workforce development & corporate partnerships for SPC, said FDOT selected the college to facilitate the program following the proven success of St. Pete Works.

The previous initiative connected hundreds of underserved St. Petersburg residents to training and employment through collaborations with the city and area organizations. While it ended in June after five years, St. Pete Works created the foundation for a regional model.

“They (FDOT) did a tour and saw all the work we have done in the community, and that’s how the partnership came about,” Berry said. “We’re covering five counties, and we’re used to doing that, because we get people from all over the state that come to work with us at SPC.

“One thing we are really good at is outreach – ensuring individuals get jobs within the communities and different industries.”

Lealman Fire District Opens 2025 Holiday Assistance Program

The Lealman Fire District is now accepting applications for its 2025 Holiday Assistance Program, offering food and gift support to Lealman District residents in need this holiday season.

The program provides food assistance for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and gift assistance for Christmas. Applications are open to Lealman Fire District residents only.

To apply, scan the QR code on the flyer or visit the Lealman Fire District’s website. After submitting your application, be sure to check your email and phone — staff will contact you to verify information and schedule pick-up days.

🕒 Deadlines to apply:

• November 17, 2025 – Thanksgiving assistance

• December 15, 2025 – Christmas assistance

The Lealman Fire District wishes all residents a warm, safe, and joyful holiday season!

Lealman Exchange is a Silver Santas Drop-Off Location!

No senior should be forgotten during the holidays. The Lealman Exchange is proud to serve as a Silver Santas donation site, helping bring joy, comfort, and dignity to seniors in need this season.

Here’s how you can help:
🎁 Take a tag (or a few!) from the Silver Santas display.
🛍️ Shop for the requested items.
🎄 Return unwrapped gifts with their matching tags to the Lealman Exchange by December 1.

From there, Santa and his helpers will handle the rest — ensuring every gift finds its way to a senior who deserves to feel remembered and loved this holiday season.

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