- April 18, 2024
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The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County recently announced its employees of the year, all from different programs in the agency.
Employee of the Year Rachel Sweet oversees drinking water systems, Supervisor of the Year Kristie Johnson directs the agency's finance and accounting, and
non-career service Employee of the Year Theresa Hunt is a dental hygienist, a press release states. Hunt often dresses up as the tooth fairy when teaching young children about how to to take care of their teeth.
“Our employees nominated and then selected these outstanding employees because they consistently demonstrate our agency values,” said Patricia Boswell, DOH-Volusia administrator, in the press release.“It’s an honor when your peers nominate you. They truly understand the demands of the job.”
Sweet joined DOH in 2013 and Johnson joined in 2009. Hunt has worked with children in pre-K to fifth grade for over 12 years.
Friends and loved ones of a late local tow truck driver held a celebration of life event at Tomoka Christian Church on Friday, Oct. 23.
David James, 47, died on Sept. 22 after suffering a medical episode while driving, leading to a crash involving multiple vehicles in South Daytona. The commemorative event was held by his former fiancé, Jacquelyn Rivers.
She described James as an easygoing man, one who loved to laugh. He was great with children and had a passion for BMX bikes. Rivers said James was an excellent tow truck driver and mechanic. The pair dated for almost five years, having met on his birthday.
“People need closure," Rivers said. "People need a chance to say goodbye to start their own healing.”
The NASCAR Foundation recently partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler to host three Speediatrics Fun Day Festivals across Volusia County, where more than 150 children participated in NASCAR-themed activities, according to a press release.
The activities were guided by volunteers including NASCAR employees, local community leaders, business people and local law enforcement officers. On Oct. 16, the festival was brought to the Rossmeyer Family Holly Hill Boys and Girls Club. Children participated in field day activities like a tire race and sponge relay. Kids also took part in bike and pedestrian safety provided by the Health and Planning Council, the press release states. New bicycles were given to over 150 club members.
These events were made possible through sponsorship by multiple community partners including the Daytona Beach Racing and Recreation Facilities District, Brown and Brown Insurance, B. Braun and Enterprise Holding Foundation.
The American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer celebrated over 100 breast cancer survivors with a socially-distant car parade recently hosted by Halifax Health.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused a "huge decline in charitable donations of unprecedented proportions that threatens to cut the nonprofit organization's
ability to fund cancer research efforts by 50%," a press release states.
“It’s true that COVID-19 has caused us to suspend some very important events, however, there are plenty of things we are doing all across the country to engage the community in ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,’” said Leslie Castillo, senior manager of community development for the ACS’s Volusia-Flagler chapter, in the press release. “From investing in research, providing free rides to treatment, giving insurance advice and providing a free place to stay during chemotherapy, the American Cancer Society is attacking cancer from every angle. We are here for patients and their caregivers 24/7.”
Visit makingstrideswalk.org/volusiaflagler and learn how you can participate in the movement.
During the Oct. 9 meeting of the Rotary Club of Daytona Beach West, the club presented local nonprofit organizations with a $500 check to help them during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an announcement.
Club President Serena Fisher asked the club's 2019-2020 "Happy Dollar" recipients to attend the meeting and provide an update about their organization. Recipients included YMCA Camp Winona, ArtHaus, SPARC of Volusia, Avenues women's recovery houses and the Pace Center for Girls.
