Page 6 - Martin Downs Bulletin - January '21

Page 6, Martin Downs

good Works

United Way Of Martin County the experience, especially reviewing each child’s interests and protocols put into place during the pandemic limited the number

Spreads Holiday Cheer To finding the perfect gift for them.” of individuals permitted in the fairgrounds at one time.
“This model for distributing toys was not ideal, but ultimately,
Volunteers packaged the toys in large black bags with a
Local Families Facing Hard number that matched up to a number the family was provided. we were able to fulfill our mission of making sure there was a toy
underneath the tree for every child,” Terlizzi said. “And what’s
Families were scheduled to pick up their bags during a two-day
Times drive-through distribution event. more important is that we were able to give parents the ability
Typically, parents can select toys themselves, but safety to provide a traditional Christmas for their children.”
For more than 30 years, United Way of Martin County has In addition to the toys, families were provided with a turkey,
helped bring Christmas cheer to thousands of children and pork tenderloin and two weeks’ worth of groceries thanks to
their families facing hard times, and 2020 was no exception. Cares Act funds from the Martin County Board of County
The pandemic may have complicated the traditional ways of Commissioners.
collecting and distributing toys, but it didn’t stop the program Nonprofit agencies, faith-based organizations, and the Martin
from helping struggling families in a year when they needed it County School District also played a vital role in referring
the most. families in need. The lists were compared with other area holiday
As the local coordinating agency for Toys for Tots, United programs to avoid duplication and ensure as many families as
Way employed creative methods to safely collect toys during the possible received assistance.
pandemic, such as virtual toy drives and drive-through drop-off “United Way dedicates an incredible amount of time and
events. According to Rachel Terlizzi, director of community energy for this project, but it truly could not happen without
impact for United Way and coordinator for Toys for Tots, the the entire community rallying around the effort, especially this
new tactics proved successful. Despite fewer collection sites and year,” Terlizzi said. “It’s a shining example that we are stronger
events, the number of toys collected this year was comparable united.”
to past years. For more information, visit www.UnitedWayMartin.org.
United Way faced another challenge in adjusting its volunteer About United Way Of Martin County
strategy to adhere to social distancing and safety protocols. Small United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve lives by
groups of volunteers in staggered shifts worked diligently in the mobilizing the caring power of our community. Since 1972, the
days leading up to distribution to ensure the right toys got to the United Way has been working to create long-term social change
right children. Martin County Commissioner Harold Jenkins (pictured left) and provide support to Martin County residents by investing
Cardboard boxes filled with unwrapped toys for kids of all and Colleen Pachowicz during United Way Holiday Project in programs that strive to: enhance healthy living, improve
ages lined the Martin County Fairgrounds, where volunteers distribution. education, and support financial stability.
carefully selected toys based on client preference sheets filled
out by the families.
First-time volunteer Lorna duPlooy brought her 10-year-old
daughter, Bryn, to help package toys for families.
“This year, I felt it was more important than ever to help
out and for my children to see how we can all pitch in for the
good of the community,” duPlooy said. “My daughter enjoyed

United Way of Martin County
Community Outreach Coordinator Tara
Zweben holds one of more than 800
bags of toys given out during the United Florida Oceanographic Society volunteers assisted with food distribution at the
Way Holiday Project distribution. United Way Holiday Project.

Volunteer Lorna duPlooy and her daughter, Bryn, selected
toys for families in need.
L
L AVARGNA AW PLLC

.
. Wills and Trusts
. Probate
Real Estate Closings
. Business Matters

ANTHONY LAVARGNA
ANTHONY LAVARGNA
Member of the Florida Bar
Licensed in the United States United Way of Martin County
District Court, Southern and President/CEO Carol G. Houwaart-
Middle Districts of Florida
Diez oversaw the United Way Holiday Event sponsor Rubin & Rubin sent a team of volunteers to assist with the United
Project’s food distribution process. Way Holiday Project distribution.

CARRIE LAVARGNA
CARRIE LAVARGNA
Accredited Estate Planner (AEP)
Board Certified
Real Estate Attorney
REAL ESTATE
We provide quality, personal legal services to individuals and
businesses in Martin and St. Lucie Counties and
throughout the Treasure Coast.
1805 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart Financial Center, Stuart, FL 34994
.
.
772 286 7521 United Way of Martin County Board Chair Gene Zweben
- REAL ESTATE PRACTICE TIP - loaded toys into vehicles during the drive-through distribution

If you rent commercial o ce, retail, or warehouse space, Florida sales tax rate to use
commercial real property decreases to 5.7% on January 1, 2019. The local discretionary event.

sale surtax still applies. This decrease does not apply to parking or storage of motor Volunteer Angelina Perez handed out bags of food at the
vehicles, docking or storage of boats or tie-down or storage of aircraft.
United Way Holiday Project distribution. Good Works on page 7