Gulf World Marine Institute: Gulf Coast Creature Rescue, One Turtle at a Time

May 11, 2021

By Brittany Kirke

Panama City Beach is a unique and well-equipped area to see success in programs that rescue, rehabilitate, and release. One such organization is Gulf World Marine Institute Inc. (GWMI). As an established 501c3 nonprofit organization, they serve as the only long-term marine mammal rehabilitation and the largest sea turtle rehabilitation facility in northern Florida. They are responsible for conducting permitted activities through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Their main response area covers South Walton beaches to the St. Mark’s River and has some of the highest numbers of marine animal strandings in North America.

Although it is a unique organization separate from Gulf World Marine Park, Lauren Albrittain stated that the park is the “largest asset provider” and acts as a “sister company” for GWMI. Gulf World Marine Institute Inc. has three core programs as their focus. The first is to lead, assist, and manage the recovery and rehabilitation of stranded, sick, or injured marine mammals and sea turtles. The second is to serve as an environmental educational tool for the local and national community. And through their third core program, they strive to help facilitate marine and oceanographic research on a local and national level.

A major part of GWMI’S program is to bring awareness to the locals and tourists of the Florida Panhandle who may stumble upon a situation with a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle and not know how to properly assist the animal.

Lauren Albrittain and Secret Holmes, the two main contacts for the organization who remain “dedicated to the nonprofit” end of things both stated that if there is a stranded mammal or sea turtle washed up on the beach, do not attempt to send it back into the water. Please call the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at (888) 404-3922 or dial #FWC if you see a stranded or deceased dolphin, whale, or sea turtle. GWMI will then respond as quickly and safely as possible to ensure that the animal gets the care it needs. For ease of assistance, please have a description of the animal’s size, location, and what has occurred. Also report if you see a marine mammal or sea turtle acting out of the normal, purposefully beaching themselves, or caught in fishing gear or marine debris.
In addition to assisting those who can make an impact on the lives of these stranded mammals, GWMI places a great importance on respecting the habitats in which these marine species live. Part of the success of this program can be attributed to having a healthy and stable working relationship with the local and state-wide sea turtle nesting programs, local pier management organizations, and other environmental protections programs. Both the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have written documents in support of the work that GWMI has done and continue to do as they work towards the mission of the organization.

If you would like to volunteer with Gulf World Marine Institute Inc., please visit www.GWMI.info to begin the application process.

Paving the Path: Mobility Greatest Challenge for PCB

May 13, 2021

From the Office of Mayor Sheldon

The City of Panama City Beach has experienced unprecedented growth over its 50-year history, and like many cities and counties, keeping pace with infrastructure is a challenge.

Fifty years ago, 1,370 people lived inside the city limits. Today, the population hovers around 14,000 full-time residents, but during the summer up to 100,000 visitors and several thousand commuters traverse the city on any given day. This influx of drivers puts a greater strain on Panama City Beach’s roadways, especially for east-west drivers.

During the City’s strategic planning process last year, transportation/mobility was identified as the City’s greatest opportunity for improvement. A citizen survey supported that finding.
“We are aware of the issues and have been working on them through our various public and private partners,” said Mayor Mark Sheldon. “We are happy to say that three segments of the Front Beach Road Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) will get started this year, and we are close to opening the second phase of Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway, which was conceived years ago as a ‘loop road” bypass.”

The Front Beach Road CRA project includes the installation of a multimodal transportation system which will see the resurfacing and widening of Front Beach Road and other feeder roads; burying utilities; and adding tram/bicycle lanes, sidewalks, lighting, drainage ponds and landscaping. Segment three, which kicks off in May, will include a roundabout at Front Beach Road and State Road 79.
As more segments of the 8.1-mile roadway are completed, the city will look at establishing a transit system to reduce the number of vehicles on Front Beach Road. Officials will also look at expanding parking.

“Front Beach Road is our main street,” said Sheldon. “Every visitor and local resident travels on this strip of commercial development, hotels/condos and residential property. That is why it is so important to keep traffic flowing. A future trolley system will assist us greatly in getting vehicles off this road.”

The Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway (formerly called Bay Parkway) is a limited-access road connecting State Road 79 with Nautilus Street. It is seen as a potential game-changer for taking traffic off Panama City Beach Parkway in the busy Pier Park area.

The City completed Phase 1, a 1.4-mile loop in 2017, connecting 79 to North Pier Park Drive. Construction on Phase 2, which connects the existing parkway to Nautilus, began in 2020 and will be completed this summer. The parkway also includes the walking/biking path as part of Gayle’s Trails.

The Parkway will not have any traffic signals or stop signs and is being constructed to Florida Department of Transportation standards to allow for future four-laning. The road will be turned over to FDOT for maintenance.

In addition, the St. Joe Company, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Inc. and the Florida State University College of Medicine recently announced their intent to develop a healthcare campus on an 87-acre parcel just off the parkway. The campus, which will eventually include an emergency center and a 100-bed inpatient facility, will be located on the southeast corner of State Road 79 and Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway.

The City continues talks with FDOT and lobbying efforts with State officials to see Panama City Beach Parkway widened and additional lanes added.

“This has been desperately needed for a long time,” Sheldon said. “We know more and more people are continuing to discover our beautiful beaches. We are optimistic about improvements to Panama City Beach Parkway.”

Not Too Shabby by Marisol Opens New Location at 30Avenue

May 13, 2021

If you are like most of us, then you already know who Marisol Gullo of Not too Shabby is, but in case you don’t, let me introduce you. Marisol Gullo, a twenty-year resident of South Walton county, is an attorney by trade and owns and operates her two stores, Not too Shabby by Marisol along with her husband Tony and their eleven-year-old son, Joshua. Marisol was honored with the South Walton Artist of the year award in 2017, and her stores have won Destin VIP Best Furniture and accessories for 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Her newest location is in the beautiful 30Avenue plaza located in Inlet Beach. We had a chance to catch up with her recently to discuss what’s new in her life and her predictions for what’s to come in the world of design this year.

“Well, it’s always an honor to win the Destin VIP best of, this was our third year in a row, and being as that is voted on by the people gives me pride to know we’re doing things right,” she says. “ I have always had a passion for art and design, and with the influx of new homeowners that are moving to the area right now, I’ve really been fully immersed in the interior design aspect of the stores. We specialize in the look for the area, which many new residents tend to think is a “beachy” look, but it’s not. The look for our area is Coastal and believe me when I tell you it’s a big difference. It would be unfair though to expect people to know how to put that look together, and that’s why people come to us.”

We asked Marisol how she was doing, keeping up with the pace of all the new people moving to town, and if she felt like it would continue or slow down. This was her response. “I’ve been here for over twenty years; I saw what happened to us in 2009 when the bubble burst and I don’t think we are looking at the same bubble. Back then people were just flipping properties with no end users. That’s not what’s happening here now. These are real end users. These are people leaving those crazy cities that are still on lockdown or cities with a lot of civil unrest happening. These are good people realizing they don’t have to live in those places anymore because a lot of people can now work remotely. The challenging part for us is to make sure we continually have plenty of inventory for our customers to go home with right away.

Visit Not Too Shabby by Marisol at their original location in Miramar Beach, 9755 US Hwy. 98 W., Miramar Beach, FL 32550, (850) 419-3976, or their new location at 30Avenue, 12805 US. Hwy 98 E., Inlet Beach, FL 32461, (850) 520-2390. Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 12-5 p.m.

Class of 2021: Graduating Marlins Surge to a Strong Finish

May 13, 2021

By Britt Smith, Principal, J.R. Arnold High School

As we approach the end of another school year, the sounds of pomp and circumstance and graduation speeches will fill the air as we celebrate J.R. Arnold High School’s Class of 2021. Students entering Arnold High School are told they will receive a “Triple-A” high school experience. Those A’s stand for excellence in Academics, Arts, and Athletics. Looking back, we see where our Marlins in the Class of 2021 have made the best of their triple-A opportunities.

Academically, our Marlins have been accepted to some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities. Emma Shockley and Sanjana Patel will become Ivy Leaguers as they pursue degrees at the University of Pennsylvania. Vanderbilt University has awarded Habib September the Chancellor’s Scholarship as he will attend their school this fall. Over 25 Marlins were accepted into the University of Florida and/or Florida State while others will be attending colleges and universities such as Alabama, Auburn, Miami, UCF, and the University of California. In all, 13 Marlins will graduate with the prestigious distinction of being AP Capstone Graduates!

We are very proud of our Marlins who have committed to serve in the military. For example, Jordan McConnell will be attending Texas A&M University on scholarship in pursuit of his dream of becoming a pilot in the United States Marine Corps. Several Class of 2021 Marlins have already decided their specific branch of service and desired military occupation. We salute Ethan Lee USN (Diver), Marcus Lee USN (EOD), Nathan Pesate USMC (Avionics), Antonio Razquin USN (Avionics; applying for Diver) for their upcoming service and willingness to defend our nation as members of this country’s military.

Artistically, Jenya Lynn Gonzalez has transformed her knowledge and experiences as a member of Arnold’s drama program into becoming a published playwright. She already has a play published and available to be performed internationally! We wish our Seniors in the Blue Thunder Band the best as they move on with aspirations of continuing their careers in college bands across the southeast.

Athletically, the Class of 2021 represents the most decorated group of teams we have ever had don the blue and grey. During their time at Arnold, the Class of 2021 won 4 FHSAA State Championships and 1 State Championship Runner-Up title. Amerie Daniels, Emily Oliver, Sana Habib, Myles Higby, and Jaden Lombard combined to win 7 individual FHSAA State Weightlifting Championship titles during their careers. Along the way, Arnold’s Class of 2021 earned more than 40 Regional, District, and County Championships. Our Marlins have experienced appearances in 5 Final Four, 6 Elite Eight, and 8 Sweet Sixteen FHSAA games. To top it all off, they were also recognized with the most recent FHSAA State Sportsmanship Award!

Despite the challenges of interrupted school during three of their four high school years, the legacy left by Arnold’s Class of 2021 is impressive and certain to only be surpassed by what they will do to make our community, state, nation, and world a better place as a result of their contributions. Congratulations and Godspeed to the Class of 2021, you have made us Marlin Proud!

#Gomarlins!

To Do in PCB May/June 2021

May 12, 2021

Florida Jeep Jam
May 12-15, 2021
Frank Brown Park
Florida Jeep Jam continues to transform PCB into the top Jeep destination location for all Jeep owners and Jeep Clubs. Get ready to meet-up with fellow jeepers on the beach, as thousands of Jeep lovers roll into the area throughout the week and stay for the weekend. In less than four years, Florida Jeep Jam has already posted record Jeep attendance numbers, exceeding the numbers from initial years of nearly every Jeep Event in the Southeast and East Coast. Celebrate National Jeep Go Topless Day with Florida Jeep Jam. Visit www.floridajeepjam.com for more information.

Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam
June 4-6, 2021
Frank Brown Park
Join us for the seventh annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam at Frank Brown Park! From June 4-6, you can enjoy the most exciting acts in country and southern rock music today. This year’s headliners are Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Lynyrd Skynyrd. In the morning, live it up at the beach, enjoying sublimely soft sand, crystal clear waters and the best in outdoor recreation. Spend the afternoon jamming your heart out to the best country music. Dance away the cool nights with sounds as fresh as a sweet Gulf breeze.

Visit www.gulfcoastjam.com.

Jam on the Coast 5K
The PCB Chamber & Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Staff are excited to bring you Jam on the Coast 5K, presented by Visit Panama City Beach! This inaugural 5K event will take place on Saturday, June 5th, and gives an exclusive coupon to save on tickets to the most anticipated concert of the year, Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam! The race begins and ends in Frank Brown Park, with an after-party at Texas Roadhouse. All 5K runners will receive a short-sleeve shirt, and all finishers will receive a medal.

UNwineD
June 4-5, 2021
Aaron Bessant Park
A two-day Southern garden party in Aaron Bessant Park featuring superb craft beer, spirits, and wine from around the world, plus culinary creations by Northwest Florida’s leading chefs.

Friday Night Kickoff Party Hosted By Southern Living
Visit Panama City Beach has partnered with Southern Living magazine to add extra prestige to the festival, with Southern Living hosting an exclusive event on Friday to kickoff the weekend event. This one-of-a-kind night offers “Top Chef” winner Kelsey Barnard Clark, custom cocktails, live music, and more. Only 250 tickets are sold to the Kickoff Party and include admission to the entire weekend of events. You must be 21 or older to attend the Friday night event.

The Grand Afternoon Tasting
UNwineD officially gets underway with The Grand Afternoon Tasting. Wander from booth to booth while tasting the best craft beers, wine and spirits from around the world, and sampling delectable creations from leading chefs in the area. Browse through Art & Vendor Row filled with local shops and boutiques, and be sure to also stop by the Southern Living tent for home decor, cook books and more! Tickets are limited to this event. You must be 21 or older to attend the Grand Tasting (accompanying children 12 and under permitted).
Visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/unwined.

Local History Photography Exhibit At The Bay County Public Library
The Bay County Public Library’s will display the Downtown Through The Years photography exhibit throughout the month of May. The show has been organized by the library’s Local History Department which preserves print materials, artifacts, and photographs. The photographs highlight Harrison Avenue and Downtown Panama City beginning in the 1900s. Check out how the businesses, cars, and fashion have changed over a hundred year span of downtown history! Admission is free and on view during regular library hours. The Bay County Public Library is located at 898 West 11th Street in Panama City.

Library Hours: Monday – Wednesday (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and Thursday – Saturday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Local History Hours: Monday – Friday (9 a.m. – 4:30 pm)

Do you have photographs that document Bay County history? The Local History department continues to accept photograph donations or can make a digital scan of the original for the collection. Donations require visiting the Local History Room and filling out a Deed of Gift Form. For more information, visit www.nwrls.com or call Local History at (850) 522-2132.

PCB Library Events
The Northwest Regional Library System and Panama City Beach Library offer numerous classes, book club meetings and readings for adults and children, both in person and online via Zoom. Visit www.nwrls.com/events for this month’s calendar.

PCB Senior Center May Events
May is bursting with activities at the PCB Senior Center. Stained Glass classes (Wed. 10 a.m.-12 p.m.) and Coffee Shoppe (Wed. 8:30-9:30 a.m.) are returning, Hand & Foot (Wed. 12:30 p.m.) and Dominoes (Tues. 1 p.m.) are off and running. Yoga, Exercise, Painting Partners, Flow Art and Embroidery on Cards are also on the calendar.

Heather Clements: Female Forms and Flora in the Frame

May 12, 2021

By Jamie Zimchek, Editor

Emerging like some sylvan sylph from a swirl of leaves, the face of a woman emerges, her gaze falling enigmatically across 6th Street and Harrison Avenue. A colorful composition of green and purple against a striking yellow backdrop, this woman is a large-scale version of the work for which artist Heather Clements is so well known. It’s also the new welcome mural on the Ocean Oriental Market building in downtown Panama City, created as part of the Bay Arts Alliance mural program.

In fact this is one of several new murals popping up on walls around Panama City – but the first outdoor mural for Clements, though it’s so well-executed (textured wall and all) that you’d never know it. This is not to suggest in any way that Clements is new to the art world (or doesn’t know exactly what she’s doing). Her pedigree includes a degree in painting from one of the oldest art colleges in the country, Maryland Institute College of Art, and many more years as a practicing artist, art instructor, and gallery owner. Before that, as a child, she says art was in her blood. “I always wanted to be an artist, I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be one.”

Though clearly art was her path, It was chance that brought her here, away from her roots in northern Virginia. “I moved down after graduation, almost on a lark,” Clements explains. She had a friend relocating to this area and figured picking up and moving to the beach couldn’t be a bad way to kick off the next chapter. Ultimately, she ended up buying the gallery where she had her first solo show, Gallery Above, and then met her husband. She’s been calling Panama City home ever since, undeterred even after her home was taken out by Hurricane Michael (it’s still in the process of being rebuilt).

Over the years, her art has shifted and developed. “The art that I used to make was very much metaphorically autobiographical,” she explains. “But then I reached a point where I didn’t need my art to do that anymore, I didn’t need my art to learn about myself… my art was very much my therapy and I didn’t need that anymore.” Now her work is this sublime union of female faces and forms with natural elements: women’s mouths or eyes morph seamlessly into blooming florals, or, as is the case with her latest mural, a body of leaves. Clements explains that her love for nature has sparked this shift toward an in-depth exploration of the relationship between humans and their natural environment. As she puts it, “We’re more separate now from nature than we used to be – it’s this deep connection that we used to have with our surroundings, and I think cutting off that connection has left us feeling more isolated and more empty. I really think that connection with nature really answers some things.” Her works, exquisite in graphite and watercolor, convey this emotion with delicacy and grace.

When the pandemic hit, she began posting live sketch-booking sessions; as the months passed, she posted less regularly, but there are other ways to see Clements at work, including (Zoom) live art classes, semi-private art classes, or her pre-recorded art classes, all available online. Clements enjoys a personal connection with collectors, and they can also reach her online.

Find her at www.heatherclementsart.com, on Instagram at @HeatherClementsArt or on Facebook at Heather Clements Art.

Complimentary Hearing Screening May 25th

May 11, 2021

Please make plans to join us Tuesday May 25th at All Clear Hearing Center for Demo Day. Schedule your complimentary hearing screening today and meet one on one with our licensed professionals. Try a pair of hearing aids for 30 days in your home, completely risk free. In a recent article by John Hopkins Medical expert Dr. Frank Lin, “Hearing loss is frustrating for those who have it and for their loved ones. Recent research suggests that it also linked with walking problems, falls and even dementia.” In a study that tracked 639 adults conducted by Dr. Lin and his colleagues found that mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk. Moderate loss tripled risk, and people with a severe hearing impairment were five times more likely to develop dementia.” Brain scans show us that hearing loss may contribute to a faster rate of atrophy in the brain,” Dr. Lin says. So please call today to schedule your free hearing test and try a pair of hearing aids for 30 days in your home, completely risk free. All Clear Hearing Center is in the Summit building 42 Business Center Drive, Suite 304 Miramar Beach FL. (850) 634-0230. www.HearAgainAmerica.com.

Breast Health and More for Mother’s Day

May 11, 2021

By Dr. Richard Chern, M.D.

Exciting news just in time for Mother’s Day. A new study was published in the European Journal of Breast Health. This study was performed over 10 years and looked at the rate of breast cancer in women using hormone pellet therapy compared to women in the general public and also compared to previous studies such as the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) and the Million Women Study. The results?

The use of BioTE bio-identical hormone pellet therapy significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer! In fact…

The use of BioTE bio-identical hormone pellet therapy reduces the risk of breast cancer by more than 35% compared to the general population of women. And…

The use of BioTE bio-identical hormone pellet therapy reduces the risk of breast cancer by more than 50% when compared to women WHO DO NOT USE ANY hormone replacement!
This is not the first study with these results. In fact, it’s the second and the largest study of its kind. Are you really going to wait another 10 years for the next study to come out before getting your hormones?

Add this to the list of already proven benefits that our hormone pellet therapy provides. This includes resolution of hot flashes, insomnia, aging skin, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, joint pain, decreased muscle tone, vaginal dryness, depression, anxiety, osteoporosis and reduced rates of other cancers as well.

I have a hard time understanding why we don’t have every post-menopausal or peri-menopausal woman in our clinic already. But, hopefully this will help convince the rest of you to come in.

Now that we hopefully have the women on board, let’s revisit some statements from the Mayo Clinic in regarding testosterone in men. Are you ready?

“Mortality rates are reduced by half in men with Testosterone Deficiency who received Testosterone therapy compared with untreated men.” This means if you have untreated low testosterone you are twice as likely to die!

“Lower serum Testosterone concentrations are associated with increased Cardiovascular risk” while “higher levels are protective.” This means if you have untreated low testosterone you more likely to have a heart attack!

“Aggressive/high-grade Prostate Cancer is associated with low serum Testosterone levels.” This means if you have low testosterone and get prostate cancer you will likely die from it! Keep in mind there is no study that has ever shown increased prostate cancer with testosterone therapy.

This doesn’t even mention the increase in energy, focus, concentration, sex drive and function you get from testosterone therapy. Moms, don’t you want your spouses to be functioning at 100% and live a longer, happier and healthier life?

Please come see us. Get your labs done at our clinic and let Sue or I discuss your labs and all the benefits our therapies provide.

Dr. Richard Chern, MD has been seeing patients for 30 years. He has been dealing with hormones nearly the entire time. His clinic is the only Platinum BioTE clinic in the region and he teaches doctors throughout the U.S. how to properly provide hormone therapy. He wants to help you live your best life. So, please call for an appointment. 850-837-1271.

Amberjack and The Great Red Snapper Count

May 12, 2021

May is Amberjack time! This year our AJ season will be May 1 through May 31 and August 1 thru October 31. Make reservations soon for your trip to catch those large and fun and great-eating fish. Amberjack are great grilled, fried, or smoked!

The Great Red Snapper Count is in and it is great news for red snapper enthusiasts!
The quest for more accurate information on the quantity of Red Snapper in the Gulf really began in earnest in 2007-8 when the red snapper seasons were cut by NOAA from 196 days to 65 days. Our charter boat captains and private angler organizations began working together to bring to the attention of NOAA’s SE Regional managers and scientists the seeming lack of accurate science when it came to the abundance of red snapper.

Our Bay County Chamber of Commerce led the way to help us inform local, state and federal officials and agencies of the disconnect between NOAA’s data and what we were seeing on the water. Our local charter fishermen led 2 different rallies in DC with anglers – commercial, for-hire, and private – from all over the nation to bring this matter directly to legislators, as well as issues with other species.

We needed an independent scientific study, separate from the NOAA process. Then-Governor Rick Scott personally contacted other governors and State fishing agencies across the Gulf as well as our Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, encouraging them to work together to resolve this decades-old issue that was negatively affecting jobs and tourism.

Now all the Gulf States have their own data collection programs which have shown significant differences in the numbers of fish harvested when compared to NOAA data.
The Texas Gulf Council Rep., Dr. Greg Stuntz of the Harte Institute of Texas A & M, led scientists from universities across the Gulf to design a better data collection plan.

In the meantime, Sea Grant and former President Trump’s Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, together with Congress had been listening. Between Sea Grant & Congress, they appropriated $12 million to make The Great Red Snapper Count happen.

The plan was implemented to accomplish this never-before-attempted in-depth study of the abundance of Red Snapper.

Now we know there are at least 3 times as many Red Snapper in the Gulf than first thought by NOAA scientists.

We do not know where this will lead concerning our fishing allocations and seasons, but you can tune in to the Gulf Council’s meetings during the Reef Fish Committee’s issues and even send the council your comments on the subjects they discuss.

Go to www.GulfCouncil.org and choose the Meetings drop down box for more info.

Just so you know, right now our Federal boats’ head boat and charter boat season will begin June 1 and go through August 2 at 12 midnight. The private anglers and state charter boats will have their season determined by the FWC. You can check out their website at www.myFWC.com and go to saltwater fishing regulations to find the latest info. The state regs for Red snapper 2021 season will be determined at their May 12-13 meeting. Tune in to see your Commission in action!

Your participation in the process is always a good thing!

When planning your fishing trip, remember Capt. Anderson’s Marina…
Where the fish are always biting and the kids are always smiling.

captandersonsmarina.com

The 516 Project: Bringing Help and Hope

May 12, 2021

By Brittany Kirke

A gift bestowed on Bay County, the 516 Project is a faith-based 501c3 non-profit construction ministry lifting the spirits of those in need.

Janna Roland and her husband, Tommy, made the move to Panama City Beach from Virginia with a mission in mind: spread love and bring peace to those in need. After Hurricane Michael in October of 2018, the community has grown stronger by coming together to help one another. This experience also showed how hard it can be to make ends meet in a difficult situation. Having small things to help such as a roof built over your head or a ramp to assist with access can make a world of difference to the right person. People helping people can be a saving grace in its own right. The Roland family wants to reach the people who may have “fallen through the cracks and can’t get the assistance they need.”

Janna and Tommy have plans to extend the work being done in Virginia and intend to be able to bring additional teams together in our area. There are several projects that the 516 Project takes on, from mowing lawns to building roofs. Janna said that their goal is to “have a team from Virginia come down and put together a kickoff weekend” where there would be several projects to split up for everyone.

They are always in search of volunteers to assist with these projects and are looking to broaden their reach in the area. Projects take place year-round. The 516 Project is also family-friendly, so, feel free to bring the kids along and show them what community service means to those they share it with.

If you or anyone you know would be willing to assist others in the community, visit their website to get involved. Our readers are also encouraged to submit applications for individual or community needs on their organization’s website, www.516project.org.

While those at the 516 Project and the churches they are involved with wish they could assist everyone who applies, that isn’t necessarily feasible. However, they will do the best they can to help and pray for those in need even if they cannot work on your home.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY