Brandon/Winthrop
10
May 2022 Volume 17, Issue 5
Ph: 813-657-2418
COMING JUNE 9-12 ARTICLE ON PAGE 10
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
THE CHILDREN’S DREAM FUND BLOOMINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS VOLUNTEER TO CLEAN TREATS KEYLA MARTINEZ TO HER DREAM SHOPPING SPREE UP SALADINO DOG PARK By Lily Belcher By Lily Belcher
community cleanups throughout the year. They have cleaned up school parking lots, churches and roadsides to further beautify their local environment. The 2.6-acre park was opened in 2018 for families to bring their dogs. It is free for guests to enjoy the open area with benches and water fountains for the pet owners. The land is separated for larger and smaller dogs and has covered areas with picnic tables in each
Bloomingdale High School student volunteers cleaned benches and other areas around the Bertha and Tony Saladino Dog Park at the end of April.
Bloomingdale High School students cleared the turf of leaves and garbage while cleaning up the Bertha and Tony Saladino Dog Park on Bryan Rd.
part. Since the dog park is non-staffed, it relies on the generosity of students and volunteers who donate their time and materials to cleaning up the area so visitors can continue to use the area. “My family and I are very appreciative of the Bloomingdale High School students cleaning up the Saladino Dog Park,” said Tony Saladino. “It’s a good feeling to have community assistance at the park, and we feel that the patrons and the dogs that attend the park are appreciative also.” For more information on the Saladino Dog Park, visit hillsboroughcounty.org or contact 813-744-5978.
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On April 30, senior Noah Hirji and his fellow Bloomingdale High School students hosted a park cleanup at the Bertha and Tony Saladino Dog Park off Bryan Rd. in Brandon. Student volunteers from Bloomingdale’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) met at the dog park to complete the community service project assignment by their AVID teacher, Jacquelyn Marshall. “We chose [the Saladino Dog Park] because all of us in the team are pet-friendly,” said Hirji. “We all take our dogs there from time to time. We thought it was due for a cleaning, so we got to work.” The cleanup lasted for three hours, as the group of AVID students cleaned benches, blowed leaves off the turf and pressure washed the sidewalks. “It is important to be involved in the community because it does so much for us, so this is the least we can do to give back,” said Hirji. “Things like this are what keep the community strong.” The Saladino Dog Park cleanup was the first one Hirji’s group had done at that park, but they have participated in other
“She is a really great example of embracing changes life brings and moving forward. I was reminded how resilient we all are—not just children but parents too,” said Children’s Dream Fund marketing specialist Lisa Halter. “And Keyla’s excitement while anticipating her Dream has brought joy to us as we plan, and yet another reminder of the positive impact a dream come true has on a child’s life.” Halter explained that Martinez’s formerly long, curly hair has grown back straight following treatments. Prior to her diagnosis, Martinez never wanted to get a haircut so she could look like Rapunzel, but she has embraced the change and was looking forward to shopping for new accessories, especially for her hair. T h e Children’s Keyla Martinez was treated to a VIP D r e a m shopping trip by Children’s Dream Fund is a Fund. nonprofit On April 20, Keyla Martinez was organizatreated to a VIP shopping trip at the tion that Westfield Brandon mall by the Chilhas given dren’s Dream Fund. Keyla was diagover 3,000 nosed with lymphoma and has finp e d i at r i c ished treatments, just in time for her patients to partake in her shopping dream. t h e i r Martinez and her family arrived dreams at the mall in style with a limousine over ride from her house and signs and Keyla Martinez arrived at the Westfield for 40 years. It gift bags welcoming Martinez before Brandon mall in style. serves 3 to she began shopping. She was treated to special dressing rooms and escorted to 21-year-olds in West Central Florida sufferher favorite stores, where staff went all out ing from life-threatening illnesses and works to give them their unique dreams. to invite her on her VIP shopping spree. “Every child deserves hope and a dream,” “Keyla likes YouTube, and she sees shopping sprees. She always wanted to go on as said by the website, “and our goal is to one,” said mother Maria Martinez. “She also continue to make those dreams come true.” For more information on the Children’s loves fashion and accessories. She’s definiteDream Fund, visit childrensdreamfund.org ly a girly girl.” Martinez shopped with her mother, aunt, or contact Halter at lhalter@childrensolder brother and younger sister and re- dreamfund.org or 727-896-6390. ceived a special lunch before doing more shopping. The 10-year-old has been battling lym- LOSING TO WIN .....................................PG 7 phoma at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer IN-DEPTH WITH DAVIS .................. PG 12 Hospital for Children and her social worker, EYE ON BUSINESS ................... PGS 21-22 Leah Wimberly, referred her to the ChilARTS & ENTERTAINMENT..............PG 31 dren’s Dream Fund.
Kitten season, a monthslong time of the year when Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center takes in hundreds of kittens, is just beginning, so the center is expecting a lot of babies soon. To help with the seasonal influx—and to introduce residents to the possibilities of fostering kittens, cats or dogs and what they need to know—it hosted a kitten shower on April 30, so the community can look forward to attending another one next year. Those interested in fostering for the Pet Resource Center can email fosterpets@hcflgov.net. Full story on page 9.
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5/31/22
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