Page 5 - Hobe Sound Reflections - July '20
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Hobe Sound, Page 5
in YOur cOMMuniTY
Banner Lake Community Academy and BLAST programs are really game changers,
“The new Banner Lake Community Center, Student
Center Reopens, Club leveling the playing field for local youth and providing more
Receives $61K In Critical opportunities for those living in and around the community to
receive greater access to education, health and other services that
Funding To Support Students will have lasting benefits,” said Missy Crisp, Banner Lake Club
Board Member, Chair of the Community Center Campaign and
And Combat Summer Slide long-time philanthropist.
“There are so many volunteers and private donors who have
When a community comes together to help those in need quietly supported the mission of Banner Lake over the years. It’s
the impact can be life-changing. In Banner Lake, a historic truly heartwarming to see the community center become a reality
and underserved neighborhood in Hobe Sound, the generosity and have such a transformative effect on the children and families
and investment from many diverse supporters is helping this in and around the Banner Lake community,” added Crisp.
community bloom. Banner Lake Academy Kindergarten Teacher Ms. Alba Reyes About Banner Lake Club, Inc.
In 2015, the Banner Lake Club, a nonprofit organization and students from the academy are proud of their handmade The Banner Lake Club (BLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
devoted to improving the quality of life for residents in the area, bracelets which were part of a fun learning activity to organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for
recognized that they had outgrown their aging facility which had practice spelling. Hobe Sound residents, primarily those in need in the Banner
been a vibrant fixture in the heart of the community since the Lake Community. Housed in a new community center completed
1930s. The club embarked on a capital campaign and through Unfortunately, just as they were settling into the new building, in September 2019, BLC provides community and educational
the generosity of many private donations and local funding Banner Lake had to temporarily close its doors in late March due services including a free after school and summer program
partners including the Hobe Sound Community Chest, Loblolly to COVID-19. During the shutdown they were able to continue called BLAST (Banner Lake After School Time) for children ages
Foundation and Christ Memorial Church, monies were raised assisting the community through distribution of hot, nutritious 5 to 18 as well as a new academy for students in kindergarten
and a new building was constructed so the club’s many education meals as well as personal protection equipment, toiletries and through third grade. BLC also has a teen program, a food pantry,
and enrichment programs and services could be expanded. other essential supplies. The Banner Lake Community Center community café, soup kitchen and a senior meals program that
Since transitioning into the new Banner Lake Community also served as a coronavirus testing site. delivers meals to qualifying seniors. For more information visit
Center in the fall of 2019, the Banner Lake Club expanded “With summer quickly approaching, we had many Banner Lake’s newly expanded website bannerlake.org, call
its youth programs to include an academy for children from conversations during the shutdown about how to safely reopen (772) 402-5167 or email office@bannerlake.org or follow them
kindergarten through third grade. The program nurtures children and continue our critical work serving our community – on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bannerlakeclub.
in a safe environment with a small student-to-teacher ratio, especially our youth,” explained Wendy Reynoso, executive
providing an optimal learning environment upon which to build director of the Banner Lake Club. elecTiOns
a strong educational foundation. There is no cost to attend the “Thanks to a generous $61,000 grant from long-time funding
academy and demand for the program continues to grow. What partner, the Children’s Service Council of Martin County, Banner
started with 21 students from kindergarten and first grade is Lake is able to offer a supplemental BLAST summer program
expected to have 34 students and include second grade in the for nine weeks. The program will help prevent ‘Summer Slide’ Vote By Mail!
next school year. which is the loss of academic skills and knowledge over a long
Additionally, the number of students has increased about break. Funds are being used to hire more teachers, program staff Not sure about voting in-person due to COVID-19?
30 percent in the Banner Lake After School Time (BLAST) and a mental health specialist to address any mental health issues Martin County voters are no longer waiting until Election
program. BLAST provides youth, ages 5 through 18, with free students may be experiencing,” added Reynoso. Day to cast their vote. On an average, 40 percent of our
after school and summer programming including homework Just in time for summer, the Banner Lake Community Center voters are choosing to vote by mail. As voters continue
assistance, arts and crafts, music, physical fitness and health and successfully reopened its doors on June 1, adhering to CDC and to embrace voting by mail, Election Day turnout at the
wellness activities and services. Florida’s Phase Two health and safety guidelines. polling precincts will continue to decline.
Here Are Some Important Facts About Voting By Mail
• All vote by mail ballots are counted, regardless if an
election has a close race or not
• Vote by mail requests are valid for four years
• Vote by mail ballots cannot be forwarded. To mail
a vote by mail ballot to a different address, a note which
contains the voter’s signature and date of birth is required
• You can verify your ballot was received at
MartinVotes.com, click on “Track Your Ballot” or call
the Elections Center at (772) 288-5637
• Florida is a no excuse state. Voters do not need a
reason to request a vote by mail ballot
• All vote by mail ballots must be in the elections center
by 7 p.m. on Election Day
As your Supervisor of Elections, it is my desire to
provide the best possible customer service to the voters
of Martin County. If there is anything my staff or I can
do to assist you, please let us know.
To request a vote by mail ballot for the August 18, 2020
Primary election, call (772) 288-5637 or visit MartinVotes.com.
Vicki Davis Martin,
County Supervisor of Elections