Page 5 - Hobe Sound Reflections - July '20
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Hobe Sound, Page 5

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      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
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