- April 28, 2024
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A one-year-old church makes its first year count; Halifax Rowing gets a $5,000 grant, rallies for $25,000 more; and, zumba and yoga events help close out the hospital's month of breast cancer battle.
BY THE OBSERVER STAFF
St. Brendan navigators volunteer 8,000 hours
In existence for barely more than a year, the St. Brendan the Navigator Chapter of St. Vincent de Paul, at 1000 Ocean Shore Blvd., volunteered a combined 8,760 hours to local families in need the past 12 months.
“It has been my experience that the generosity of the St. Brendan family is always phenomenal,” President Fred D’Angelo stated.
The church’s food pantry, under the direction of Vince Colonna and John Howley, also distributed more than $35,000 worth of donated food since last June. The church also provides job-seekers and the working poor with Votran bus vouchers and works to help find the homeless temporary housing.
Opened last August, the Hand Me Ups Thrift Store, managed by Janet Cortese and assistant manager Diane Chandlee, has also already expanded twice.
Call the food pantry at 265-1963 and the thrift store 256-4838.
Halifax Rowing gets $5,000, needs another $25,000
The Halifax Rowing Association, which has a practice space in Ormond Beach, has received a $5,000 grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The foundation has awarded 2,205 grants totaling nearly $17 million since 1999.
Halifax Rowing Association will use the funds to begin construction of an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant dock giving local adaptive rowers the independence to row with dignity. HRA needs an additional $25,000 to complete a dock large enough to accommodate the 33% of Volusia County's population living with disabilities.
“Adaptive Rowing improves the quality of life for a person with a disability because it gives us access, individual instruction and an amazing opportunity to row on the Halifax River,” said Ann Marie Medlar, volunteer steward of fundraising and publicity.
The Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury through research funding.
Visit halifaxrowing.org, or call 248-0502
Zumba, yoga events help fight breast cancer
Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center’s breast cancer fund got a $300 boost last month, following a zumba event hosted by the Daytona State College chapter of Association of Florida Colleges, which drew about 40.
Concept Production owner Angelo Patane provided the sound and lighting equipment for the event.
“For many years, I supervised student employees who could not afford a mammogram and were in dire need of one,” said Sharon Ielfield, president of the AFC-Daytona Chapter. “That’s why I am so passionate about events like this.”
The hospital also drew 50 women to a free yoga workshop, led by oncologist Karin Bigman, Oct. 22, for breast cancer patients and survivors.
“Stress and anxiety are everywhere, and that can be heightened after a breast cancer diagnosis,” said Dr. Bigman. “Yoga has been proven time and time again to help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve heart function. And for those fighting breast cancer, yoga can ease some of the side effects associated with treatment.”
