Bradenton endurance athlete running for Wounded Warrior
A Bradenton endurance athlete and accountant with a history of running for charitable causes will begin a new quest in September that includes a goal to set a U.S. record for the fastest cross-country run. A send-off event is planned on Saturday from 4-7 p.m. at New Balance University, 315 N. Cattlemen Road, in Sarasota.
Nels Matson is dedicating his 3,067-mile trek across the United States in honor of Project Campbell’s Call. Chris Campbell was a U.S. Navy SEAL who was killed in a helicopter crash in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan. Campbell’s will included a wish for 100,000 people to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Matson, 41, founder of Boalytics in Lakewood Ranch, will begin his run on Sept. 8 at San Francisco City Hall and finish at city hall in New York City. The trans-American record is 42 days, 6 hours, and 30 minutes, set in 2016. Matson previously cycled across the country twice and completed a multi-state endurance run to support national and international nonprofits benefiting children with heart ailments. To donate to Project Campbell’s Call, visit tinyurl.com/y4dav5bd.
Manatee County Clerk names new child support director
Crystal Waiters, director of the Child Support Program at the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, recently retired and Brea Styles, who previously served as deputy director of the program, was appointed as her successor.
“Crystal Waiters has been an invaluable asset to our office, dedicating over three decades to serving our community with unwavering commitment and excellence,” Manatee County Clerk Angel Colonneso said.
Waiters retired on Aug. 2 after a 32-year career in the Clerk’s Office. As deputy director, Styles excelled in recruiting, retaining, and developing staff for the division, which offers a range of case management, including locating parents responsible for the support of a child, establishing paternity, and obtaining, enforcing, and modifying child support orders.
“Brea has already demonstrated her leadership and dedication, and I am confident she will continue to enhance our services and support for Manatee County families,” said Colonneso, who also appointed Lisa Bell as new deputy director.
First 1,000 Days Suncoast adds new family navigator
First 1,000 Days Suncoast has named Renee King as the initiative’s newest Family Navigator. King’s role will be to guide families to essential services during pregnancy and the pivotal first 1,000 days of a child’s development.
King brings over 15 years of experience in social services in public, private, and nonprofit sectors in the Tampa Bay region. She is currently a therapist at Psychological Management Group in Temple Terrace. Her background includes roles as a therapist with Families First Florida, NICU Care Coordinator at Tampa General Hospital, and a social worker with Hillsborough County Public Schools.
“Our goal is to walk alongside mothers and families throughout their journeys and provide the support they need,” King said. First 1,000 Days Suncoast partners with more than 90 organizations to serve families in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. Visit first1000dayssuncoast.org.
Woodruff Foundation grant supports JFCS vets program
JFCS of the Suncoast has received a grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation to support veterans affected by Hurricane Ian. The grant will provide housing assistance to veterans and their families served by JFCS’ Operation Military Assistance Program in Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties.
“This support will allow us to move veterans off the street and provide them with the housing assistance and services they need,” said Helene Lotman, president of JFCS Suncoast. “Our veterans deserve safe, stable housing and the opportunity to move forward with their lives.”
JFCS serves more than 300 veterans annually through OMAP, which fights homelessness among veterans and provides employment assistance, mental health services and other support. Visit jfcs-cares.org/veterans.
Around and about
· Compassionate Friends of North Port meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. at North Port Library, 13800 Tamiami Trail. The group offers hope and support for parents and family members (and friends) who have suffered the death of a child, grandchild, or sibling. Info: compassionatefriends.org/grief; or email group leader Beth Wooten at BethWootenlcsw@gmail.com.
· FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers in Sarasota County at Sarasota Christian Church (2923 Ashton Road) and Manatee County at Lakewood Ranch Library (16410 Rangeland Pkwy.) to provide one-on-one help to residents affected by Tropical Storm Debby. The Sarasota center operates 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. The Manatee center is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Homeowners and renters in Manatee and Sarasota counties can apply for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. For a video on how to apply, visit youtube.com/watch?v=HhtlyTX49RE.
· Suncoast Gluten Free Support Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., in Conference Room 1. The meetings are also held via Zoom. For information, contact swarezr9773@gmail.com, suncoastglutenfree@gmail.com, or visit the group’s Facebook page.
Submissions by Veronica Miller, Tonya Getzen Gowan, Jennifer Linzy, Joseph Grano, Kristina Englund, Valerie LaBoy, FEMA-Florida, and Robert Bolcik.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Bradenton endurance athlete seeks trans-American record for ‘Warriors’
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
