Tag: Teresa Jacobs

Ann Varkey Holds Event for Special Needs and more news …

compiled by Lauren Salinero


Dr. Phillips

Dr. Phillips resident Ann Varkey (back, second from right) and her family (back) join residents of The Russell Home for Atypical Children at Ann’s special holiday event.

Ann Varkey of Dr. Phillips held a holiday event at the Dr. P. Phillips YMCA to help special-needs and homeless individuals. Attendees included several residents from The Russell Home for Atypical Children and a special appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free and healthy holiday meals were provided to attendees. A typical gift box included fruits, vegetables, meat and nonperishable items that would allow families to make complete meals.

SW Orlando Neighborhood News


compiled by Lauren Salinero


Vizcaya

Jennifer Halbert, a former resident of Vizcaya, plays a news reporter in the film Mafiosa.

Former Vizcaya resident Jennifer Halbert appears in the feature-length film Mafiosa. She portrays a news reporter. The film, written and produced by Florida resident Veronica Russo, was screened twice during the recent Central Florida Film Festival.

SW Orlando News & Business Briefs


Drowning-prevention organization accepts donation

Susan Polder (third from left), executive director of The Gift of Swimming, accepts a donation from Whole Foods Market representatives (l. to r.) Grant, team member; Michael DAndrea, team leader; Vicky Santamaria, marketing field associate; Krissy, team member; and Ethan, graphic artist.

Whole Foods Market donated 5 percent of one day’s net sales to The Gift of Swimming, an organization committed to providing drowning-prevention resources, including swim training and education.

SW Orlando Neighborhood News

compiled by Lauren Salinero


Dr. Phillips

Vesper, pictured with her handler, Dr. Phillips resident Matthew FitzGibbon, overcomes sight obstacles to become certified in human remains detection.

In SW Orlando neighborhood news, Vesper, a working-line German shepherd, earned national certification in human remains detection, despite the complete loss of one eye. Together with her handler, Matthew FitzGibbon of Dr. Phillips, Vesper serves as a member of the Florida Alliance of Search and Rescue K-9 and can be deployed by law enforcement in wilderness settings as a cadaver dog.

SW Orlando Neighborhood News – 8/4/2016

During a Bucket List Hiking Club trip, Matt Durfee of Bay Hill and Denise Orlando of Keenes Pointe visit a remote beach path near Prestwick, Scotland.

Bay Hill resident Matt Durfee led the sixth international trek of the Bucket List Hiking Club, which took place in western Scotland. The group hiked 52 miles during three days, and the route followed the northern segment of the Ayrshire Coastal Path. Future hikes include Normandy, France and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.

SW Orlando Neighborhood News

Sandpointe

George Rahi of Sandpointe receives an International Diamond Society Award for his exceptional performance in 2015 as a Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate sales associate.

Sandpointe resident George Rahi, a sales associate with …

SW Orlando News & Business Briefs

compiled by Lauren Salinero

HFUW begins search for new leadership

Southwest resident RobertBobBrown steps down as president and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way.

After a decade of service as president and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way, Southwest resident Robert BobBrown announced his plans to retire. With more than 45 years of experience as a nonprofit administrator, Brown led HFUW’s conversion to the Investing in Results philosophy, which encourages competitive grant funding for specific community issues focused on prevention. Under his leadership,

Dave’s House

Providing a Home, Health and Hope for Those Living With Serious Mental Illness

by Kirsten Harrington

When Lin Wilensky’s brother died in 2007, she and her husband, Ron, knew they had to find a way to honor his life. Dave, Lin’s only sibling and lifelong mentor, had been in and out of hospitals for years, struggling with schizophrenia. When he eventually found safe, supportive housing, he became stable for the first time in quite a while.

“He was able to work part time, volunteer and make friends,” Lin said. “He lived the best life …

Bay Meadows, Lake Whitney and more news

Bay Meadows Elementary

Runners take off at the start of Bay Meadow Elementary’s annual 5K Koala Krawl.

The Bay Meadows Elementary PTA hosted its annual Festival and 5K Koala Krawl to celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary. Proceeds from the fundraising drive were donated for school programs. The day began with the Koala Krawl, a 5K that started and ended at the school and went through …

SW News & Business Briefs – February 2016

compiled by Lauren Salinero –  With tax season underway, Heart of Florida United Way is helping to get the word out about how qualified tax payers can claim their Earned Income Tax Credit, which is recognized for lifting more people out of poverty than any other federal program. The IRS estimates that one in four…