compiled by Lauren Salinero
Shepherd’s Hope honors volunteers
More than 400 corporate and community citizens gathered for Shepherd’s Hope’s annual fundraising and volunteer recognition event. The Call to Hope breakfast at Rosen Shingle Creek raised $490,000 in one-time gifts, as well as multiyear and five-year pledges, for the faith-based nonprofit celebrating its 20th anniversary. The event also highlighted the work of volunteer medical and lay personnel who aid in providing free medical care to the uninsured and underinsured at the organization’s five local health clinics. Shepherd’s Hope volunteers contributed 42,519 hours equal to $2.4 million in in-kind volunteer services in 2016.
Named in honor of Shepherd’s Hope’s first volunteer, Executive Director Dr. Ruth McKeefery, volunteers of the year in four categories received special recognition. They were Outstanding General Volunteer of the Year Muhammed Hasan; Outstanding Volunteer Nurse of the Year Bonnie Kellogg, RN; Outstanding Physician of the Year Dr. Ronald C. Knipe; and Outstanding Volunteer Clinical Practitioner of the Year Patricia Weinstein, ARNP.
For more information, call 407-876-6699 or visit shepherdshope.org.
Ocoee opens its pool
The city of Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department opened its Family Aquatic Center for the summer season. Located at the Jim Beech Recreation Center at 1820 A.D. Mims Road, the pool features a safe, zero-depth entry with a maximum depth of 4 feet. Pool admission is $1.50 for adults and $1.00 for children and seniors. Group swim lessons for all ages older than 6 months are offered from June through August. Water-safety instructors certified by the American Red Cross teach the swim classes. The pool will close for the fall/winter season Oct. 1.
For more information, call 407-905-3180 or visit www.ocoee.org.
Southwest Orlando Bulletin has a new owner
Clay (left) and Brenda Kearney (second from left) of South Bay turn over the reins of Kearney Publishing Corp., including the Southwest Orlando Bulletin, to Rick V. Martin (second from right) and his wife, Yvette, of Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC.
After 35 years of serving the Southwest Orlando community, Clay and Brenda Kearney, the co-founders and owners of Kearney Publishing Corp. and longtime South Bay residents, have retired and sold their company. New owner, President and CEO Rick V. Martin will continue the Kearney’s legacy under Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC. Martin, who has more than 24 years of experience in publishing, holds a vision for the future of the Southwest Orlando Bulletin, as well as the family of products previously under the KPC name.
“The products will remain committed to producing high-quality, relative and engaging content that connects with the communities, readers and advertisers they serve,” Martin said.
Additionally, Martin looks forward to the opportunity to meet advertisers and readers alike at community events and functions across the Southwest Orlando area.
For more information, call 407-351-1573 or email rmartin@cornerstonepublishinggroup.com.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
West Orange Chamber of Commerce held an anniversary celebration for Mama Louise Restaurant, which has been a WOCC member for one year. The restaurant, located at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. in Orlando, is inspired by authentic Italian food, fun and family. WOCC builds partnerships, strong businesses and commitment to the community by serving as the leading business advocate in Central Florida, facilitating opportunity to nearly 1,000 member businesses. For more information about WOCC, call 407-656-1304 or visit wochamber.com. For more information about Mama Louise Restaurant, call 407-345-1000 or visit www.mamalouiserestaurant.com
David W. Boers, D.D.S., of Chain of Lakes Cosmetic & Family Dentistry was voted Top Dentist in Windermere 2016 by Orlando Family Magazine. Dr. Boers specializes in all forms of restorative and cosmetic dentistry, including root canals, oral surgeries, veneers, crowns, bridges, dentures and partials. His practice is located in Suite 159 at 1805 Maguire Road in Windermere. For more information, call 407-876-6708 or visit www.davidboers.com.
Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Rich Maladecki (left) and Donna Wolk present a $1,000 scholarship to Matthew Temmer.
Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association representatives gave out the organization’s 2017 Hospitality Student Scholarships during last month’s membership luncheon. One of the $1,000 awards was presented in the name of the Southwest Orlando Bulletin to Matthew Temmer. In addition, a full-ride scholarship went to recent Dr. Phillips High School graduate Caitlin Walsh. In all, more than 30 local high school and college hospitality students were awarded nearly $100,000 toward their education. For more information, visit www.cfhla.org.
The Orange County Library System kicks off its annual Summer Reading Program on June 3 and will continue it through Aug. 5. Three programs are available by age group. Kids’ Summer Reading Program is for ages 3-12, Teen Summer Reading Program for 11-18, and Adult Summer Reading Program for age 18-older. For more information or to register, visit ww.ocls.info/srpkids.
Taylor Morrison is holding open houses with a limited-time special incentive every weekend this month. Homebuyers are invited to tour model homes in select communities nationwide and take advantage of major savings on move-in-ready houses. For more information, call 407-756-5025 or visit taylormorrison.com/open-house. ♥