New postmaster in Myakka City; two golf tournaments raise more than $250,000 for charity
New Postmaster takes overoperations in Myakka City
Vernell Spence, who began his U.S. Postal Service career 10 years ago in Orlando, was recently named Myakka City Postmaster, overseeing one retail unit, 10 employees, and six rural routes with more than 2,500 deliveries.
"I am excited to serve in Myakka City and be a part of this community," Spence said. "With transparency and minor changes, we can have Myakka leading Central Florida in postal standards and reputation. We have high expectations, and we will meet them daily."
Spence joined the Postal Service as a holiday employee at the Seminole Processing & Distribution Center in Orlando. He advanced to a supervisor in St. Cloud, acquiring "substantial knowledge from my leader and Postmaster Tabrina Murphy." He credits his work ethic to his mother.
"Delivering for America is about being available not only in the office but in the community," Spence said. "We are hearing the concerns of employees and customers. We are a service-driven company, and our customers are all around us, including our employees.”
SMH Healthcare Foundationraises $128,000 for endowment
More than 248 golfers participated in the 21st annual Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Golf Tournament at Laurel Oak Country Club, helping to raise over $128,000. To date, the tournament has raised more than $1.2 million for the SMH Physicians Endowment, which provides continuing education opportunities.
“The golf tournament allows our community to come out and support the Healthcare Foundation and SMH Physicians Endowment,” said Healthcare Foundation president Stacey Corley. “We are deeply appreciative of our sponsors and volunteers who help make this the premier golf event in Sarasota.”
David Fouche of J2 Solutions served as tournament chair. The Fairway Sponsor was Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel. Other sponsors included DeAngelis Diamond, Flad Architects, Gilbane Building Company, Gresham Smith, J2 Solutions, and Sarasota Emergency Associates.
Next year’s tournament also will be held at Laurel Oak Country Club. For sponsorship information, visit smhf.org/events or call 941-374-9700. For more about the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, visit smhf.org.
27th annual Meadows Cup raises$125,000 for Happiness House
Easterseals Happiness House, in partnership with The Meadows Country Club, raised close to $125,000 in April at its 27th annual Meadows Cup Pro-Am Golf Tournament presented by Ginger Judge. The funds will be used for programs that serve children, teens and adults with disabilities.
“The Meadows Country Club is proud to host Easterseals’ golf tournament in its 27th year,” said Tony Johnson, GM for Meadows Country Club. “The Meadows staff, volunteers and the golf pros gave their time to make this an incredible top-tier tournament. We’re already looking forward to hosting the next one.”
More than 140 golfers and 35 golf professionals participated. “We are thankful to our event sponsors, golfers, volunteers and auction participants for helping us reach our goal which supports individuals with disabilities,” said Tom Waters, president and CEO of Easterseals Southwest Florida. To learn more about Easterseals services and programs, visit easterseals-swfl.org.
North Port, Sarasota sports leaguesreceive donations from developer
Neal Communities recently donated $10,000 to two Sarasota County sports leagues to help them recover from Hurricane Ian.
Neal Communities donated $5,000 to the North Port Junior Bobcats Pop Warner football league to assist with equipment purchases, including equipment lost or damaged in the hurricane. The private home developer also donated $5,000 to Sarasota Babe Ruth Baseball to assist with repairing a storm-damaged dugout roof and the main building’s roof at the organization’s fields off Fruitville Road.
Neal Communities has given more than $7.75 million to charities throughout Southwest Florida. “Local youth sports leagues have a positive impact on the children in our local communities,” said Pat Neal, founder and president of Neal Communities. “We’re proud to support these organization’s efforts – especially to help them recover some of their losses after the storm.”
Around and about ...
Wellen Park in North Port is holding a Luminescence Festival at Grand Lake on May 26 from 6-10 p.m. to mark the start of the Memorial Day weekend. The event will feature hundreds of glowing lights along nearly 3 miles of shoreline; jazz by Orlando-based Eighth Note Collective; a table-decorating contest; VIP experiences; and a lighted boat parade. Info: wellenpark.com/events/luminescence-festival-general-admission
· American Legion NO-VEL Post 159 is hosting its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on May 29 at 10 a.m. at Patriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd., Venice. The event will include a "Laying of the Wreaths" by area veterans organizations and auxiliaries and guest speakers Mayor Nick Pachota and Ret. U.S. Army Col. Norman MacLellan. Music by Sun Coast Wind Ensemble. Info: Post 159 office, 941-488-1157
· Second Chance Last Opportunity is hosting its 28th anniversary party , 'Git It In Your Soul,' on May 27 from 6-9 p.m. at Sarasota Bayfront Community Center, 655 N. Tamiami Trail, with refreshments and music by DJ Al. Celebrate with SCLO staff and volunteers, meet board members and learn more about the nonprofit’s mission. Tickets $50. Info/reservations: secondchancelastopportunity.org/events; 941-360-8660.
· Boy Scout Troop 776 (Port Charlotte) is holding a golf tournament fundraiser on June 10 at Rotonda Hills Golf Course, 100 Rotonda Circle. The four-person scramble with a shotgun start will include lunch, awards and raffle prizes. Entry fee is $65. Info/registration: Kristie Coleman at Kris.Machel@gmail.com or 941-270-3026.
Submissions by Tia Calomeris, USPS News, Ticia Mahler, Terri Watson, Christine McKelvey, Laura Hardin, Don MacLean, Lucy H. Hedrick, Dana Hanson.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New postmaster in Myakka City; SMH Healthcare Foundation raises $128,000
