Page 6 - Palm City Spotlight - February '24

Page 6, Palm City Spotlight

HolidAy HAppEnings

Unwrapping Smiles: United schools to screen and refer distributed nearly 15,000

Way’s Holiday Project Sparks families in need. Rigorous toys and 20,000 pounds
checks are conducted
of food to more than
Festive Magic! to avoid duplication of 2,400 children and 950
services before referrals families in need. This
In its 35th consecutive year of making Christmas dreams are approved. Serving two-day distribution
come true, United Way of Martin County once again as the local coordinating event was a testament
orchestrated a heartwarming Holiday Project, ensuring that organization for the Marine to the community’s
thousands of local children woke up to the joy of presents Corps Reserve Toys for commitment to making
underneath the tree. Tots program, United Way the holidays brighter for
Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of local collects toys with the help those facing financial
businesses, community organizations, individual donors, of over 150 businesses and hardships.
sponsors, devoted volunteers and Santa, of course, the communities serving as Elisabeth Glynn, United Way “We are so grateful for
United Way Holiday Project was a resounding success. official Toys for Tots drop- of Martin County director the support we received
The result? A magical Christmas morning for countless off locations. of philanthropy; Sheriff this year,” said United In a decade-long commitment to
families in need. True to tradition, William Snyder; Jessica Levy, Way of Martin County helping Martin County families,
Each fall, United Way collaborates with over 45 United Way’s volunteer United Way of Martin County President and CEO Carol Zweben Law Group proudly
nonprofit agencies, faith-based organizations, and elves worked tirelessly director of marketing and G. Houwaart-Diez. coordinated the Zweben Law
to transform the Martin communications “Thanks to the kindness Group Bike Drive to make
Library’s annual BookMania! County Fairgrounds into of our community, we the holidays extra special by
Santa’s Workshop, where
were able to make a covering the cost of over 350
set to take place March 2 hundreds of volunteers difference in the lives bikes. Tara Zweben, Gene
spent weeks sorting and of so many children Zweben
The Martin County Library System is excited categorizing toys. Families and their families. We
to announce that the 2024 BookMania! annual had the opportunity to couldn’t have done it without them.”
event, sponsored by The Library Foundation “shop” for toys tailored But that’s not all.
of Martin County and Florida Humanities, will to their child’s specific
take place on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the interests, ensuring a
Jensen Beach High School Performing Arts personalized and dignified
Center, 2875 NW Goldenrod Road in Jensen
Beach, starting at 9:00 a.m. experience. Participating
families were not only
BookMania! is free and open to the public. treated to a festive array of
Authors will participate in one of multiple toys but were also provided
panel discussions featuring emerging and with the makings of a
prominent writers. The auditorium can get traditional holiday meal. Toys for Tots Marines: Staff
chilly, so please bring a sweater. Titles by On Dec. 13 and 14, the Sgt. Orlando Mendez, Carol
guest authors are available through the spirit of giving reached G. Houwaart-Diez, Staff Sgt.
library’s collections. Lunch from the Martin its peak as volunteers Michael Aguirre
County Sheriff's Office BBQ team will be
available for cash-only at the event. Barnes
& Noble Booksellers will be onsite offering
purchased coffee and light refreshments in
addition to facilitating book sales. Stuff the Bus: Michael Riley, MTM Transit; Rosa Stuart,
Walmart AP team lead; Janine Seage-Holmes, Stuart Walmart
Sea Stories - Fact & Fiction store manager; Cheryl White, Martin County Transit (Marty);
9:15 am - 10:00 am Jaclyn Anez, United Way of Martin County manager of
Moderator: Peggy Chittum community impact
Kevin Sites: The Ocean Above Me
Earl Swift: Chesapeake Requiem - a year with
the Watermen of vanishing Tangier Island

Thriller & Suspense Thank you to Ashley Capital, Rubin & Rubin and STS Aviation
10:30 am - 11:45 pm Group for sponsoring the project.
SIGNING 11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Moderator: Amanda Brack
Darby Kane: The Engagement Party
Armando Lucas Correa: The Silence in her
Eyes
Megan Collins: Thicker Than Water

LUNCH 11:45 am - 12:45 pm -
signing and lunch

Love, Friendship, and Ever After's Jason Renard, Karl Andersson, Julia Brada, Andrea
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
SIGNING 1:45 pm - 2:15 pm Cunningham, Natasha Jadusingh, Kailtlan Wills, Jenny Fields,
Moderator: Linda Weiksnar Monica Magill, Kelli Wilson, Ron Medellin, Deana Grace
Kristy Woodson Harvey: The Summer of
Songbirds Lynn Booth, Judy Barbrick, Germaine Alger Holiday Happenings on page 7
Melissa Rivero: Flores and Miss Paula

Historical Fiction
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
SIGNING 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
Moderator: Paula Hundt
Talia Carner: The Boy with the Star Tattoo
Patti Callahan Henry: The Secret Book of
Flora Lea
Katherine Reay: The Berlin Letters
This popular program has received national
recognition for its stellar authors, record
attendance, and impressive Barnes &
Noble book sales. For more information,
visit www.library.martin.fl.us and search for
“BookMania!” or call 772-288-5702.

Funding for this program was provided
through a grant from Florida Humanities
with funds from the National Endowment
for the Humanities. Any views, findings,
conclusions or recommendations expressed
in this program do not necessarily represent
those of Florida Humanities or the National
Endowment for the Humanities.