Riverview/Apollo Beach
46
7
March 2021
Volume 19, Issue 3
Ph: 657-2418
CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
EXPRESS OIL & TIRE
ENGINEERS IS FAMILY-OWNED
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. PARTNERS WITH PALS SOCKS FOR WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY By Libby Hopkins
By Brian Bokor
hopes to reach eight to 10 locations within five years from Riverview South to Naples. Persinger is also active with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and has been on the board since 2008, chairing two fishing events as well as the marketing committee for the foundation. Since becoming a part of the organization, they have raised over $30 Million towards fighting Pediatric Cancer and have watched the survival rate go from three out of five kids to four out of five kids in that time frame. Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers is open six days a week (closed on Sundays) from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (5 p.m. on Saturdays), offering several online coupons at expressoil.com, along with daily $10 off oil change promotions on its Facebook page, such as Military Monday and Teenager Thursday as well as one free, randomly selected oil change recipient each week.
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
Postal Customer
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Most business owners like to keep the secret to their success hidden, but not Jeremy Persinger, owner and operator of Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, located at 11690 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. When asked what makes his shop different from the rest, he quickly told me the secret was that there were no other operations that can complete a 10-minute oil change without having you get out of your car as well as handle any other mechanical needs on the spot when necessary. Not only is the shop is equipped with three independent oil change bays, but it also has six full-service bays along with 1,200 tires on the premises. As Persinger put it, “It’s a one-stop shop. Other than windshields and body work, we can fix it. We have the capacity to service any type of automobile, truck or van, with the exception of large commercial vehicles. We’ll even make you a cup of coffee if you ask.” In order to deliver a consistent customer experience every time, his advice is: “don’t do anything you don’t already do on a daily basis.” Persinger, a FishHawk resident, stressed the importance of customer service as one of the keys for developing and growing a successful family-run business. His daughter, Malea, works at the store part-time when not attending Newsome High and is one of 10-plus employees. The Riverview store is Persinger’s second location, opened in September 2020, with his first Express Oil having opened in Bradenton in 2018, as well as plans for a third in Parrish in the not-too-distant future. He
The Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287 turns 75 in March and it has nearly 600 members. Not all members are active members, but they all have volunteered, given back to their community or helped a fellow veteran. See Full Story on Page 9.
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is on Sunday, March 21. WDSD is a unique annual opportunity for the global Down syndrome community to connect with our community to share ideas, experiences and knowledge. It also empowers each of us to advocate for equal rights for people with Down syndrome and reach out to key stakeholders to bring about positive change. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is a local, volunteer-based, nonprofit that is committed to offering support to all special needs individuals and their families. It provides free year-round programs, public education and family and individual activities. “We are so excited to announce we have partnered with Pals Socks to help us celebrate World Down Syndrome Day,” said Ann Foyt, executive director of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. “We celebrate WDSD to raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, to voice our challenges as parents raising a child with special needs and to show the public that having Down syndrome is not the end of the world. Our children/adults can and do go to school, learn new skills, hold jobs, fall in love, get married, vote and are valued and productive citizens.” Pals Socks works with different organizations that have similar goals of making people’s daily existence happier, kinder and more peaceful. Pals Socks launched its Fundraising with Pals program in 2019. Instead of focusing on one issue, it wanted to be able to support many different ways of making the world a happier place. This led to it creating a platform for anyone who wants to do good and support a cause they are passionate about. Pals Socks helps organizations and schools raise the funds they need and get the socks they love. “As chromosomes look like socks, we encour-
age you to buy a pair and show them off,” Foyt said. “Don’t hide those socks. Start a conversation to raise awareness and promote inclusion. Get your family, coworkers and students involved to help you show off your Down syndrome pride, but also help us remind the community that we need their acceptance and support.” Foyt and her team want people to take pictures of their socks and post them on the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Facebook page (www. facebook.com/FRIENDSWESTFLORIDA). “Take pictures of yourself, your friends, family, coworkers and students wearing their socks and post them on our Facebook page,” Foyt said. “The picture with the most likes will receive a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant of your choice.” To learn more about F.R.I.E.N.D.S., visit www.friendsdownsyndrometampa.com. To learn more about Pals Socks, visit www. palssocks.com.
IN THIS ISSUE: WOMAN’S CLUB .................... PG 03 I-75 CONSTRUCTION........... PG 05 EYE ON BUSINESS ...................PGS 25-26 JUST AROUND THE CORNER PG 29