Page 13 - Talk of Tequesta - February '21

The Talk Of Tequesta, Page 13

honoring from page 12

Way of Palm Beach County, Jim Moran Foundation, The that the center’s students were better prepared than their Baker, a Jupiter Community High School student who
Honda Classic Cares, The Ed and Leah Frankel Supporting peers upon return to school this fall. tragically passed away last August, Simon’s Giving
Foundation and others. This community support allows Throughout the year, the program the staff team are Garden is a place of reflection, carefully designed to
the tutorial center to care for students to continue beyond supported by a cadre of 100-plus volunteers who are include perennial plants, butterfly plants, and raised beds
graduation with scholarships awarded each year to often retired professionals serving nearly 5,000 hours for wellness education and community food. Students will
graduating seniors at Edna’s “Movin’ On!” ceremony with annually. The center allocates 2,000 meals a year, over plant vegetables and herbs, nurture their growth, and learn
the long-established Mary Hinton Scholarship Awards. Year 500 music lessons, and nearly 100 educational events – about healthy eating habits, and how to prepare nutritious
after year, students return to thank her and share steps along often coordinating support from area businesses or partner snacks and meals with the center’s Culinary Program.
their educational and career paths. Some return to volunteer agencies. The impact is significant with 90 percent of The garden construction was supported by numerous
and hold staff positions under her leadership at the center. EWRTC students going on to graduate high school on time. agencies and donors including the Mary Durstine McArtor
The tutorial center’s Program Director, Travis The Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center achieved the Reynolds Memorial Giving Fund, who created a Mary’s
Conway, is one such example. Recognized in 2020 as coveted Maintenance Level in the Quality Improvement Growing Garden featuring nutritious food. The garden
one of National Afterschool Association’s (NAA) elite Standards for the 10th year. The strategic partnerships will also include pollinator plants for butterflies, plus
2021 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders; and as a for enhanced learning opportunities with FPL, FAU, areas where students can reflect and grow.
coveted “Professional of the Year” nominee in Nonprofit the University of Florida, Florida State, the University Edna Runner, executive director of the Edna W. Runner
First’s 2020 Hats Off Awards – as an alumni – Conway of Miami, add tremendous support for the center’s Tutorial Center, said, “The kids are going to learn a lot
understands the needs of the students served by the center. S.T.E.A.M. curriculum. These enhancements and a strong about food that really doesn’t come from the grocery
Although just 28 years old, Conway led the charge during volunteer program helped the center achieve 78 percent store, it comes from the garden, so this will be a great
the COVID-19 academic closures to ensure his students improvement in reading scores and an overwhelming experience for them.”
would not suffer. A product of the center, Conway knew parent support rate. While spending quality time at the center, filling the
that students critically needed a sense of safety, feelings Core to the center’s mission, is to offer a place where gap when kids are “out of school,” students learn about
of connectedness and feelings of hope that they might not children feel safe and are nurtured to help build self- respecting themselves and others … and a big part of
get at home. Working with area businesses and educators, esteem, dream and achieve goals. In turn, they learn how this is involving the kids in Runner’s extensive outreach
he ensured computers, Internet access and other support to model this in their community. The newly-installed to the senior citizen members of the community. Events
critical to students’ success were available as the county Simon’s Giving Garden allows donors to adopt a garden and activities celebrate and showcase their contributions
transitioned to distance learning. Conway and his team bed to support the community. Named to honor Simon to the community, and Edna draws from her personal
wrote curriculum and built childhood memories to give back. Many are caregivers
a plan to support the custom and grandparents of the children served by the center.
#TutorialCenterMoments Edna tirelessly brings food, clothing, household items
vi de os whi c h he l pe d and masks, to assist them with care and compassion.
support the academic and Events include the center’s Winter Wonderland,
psychological needs of Valentine’s Day Cupid Match Party, Veterans Day
students. He led a team Ceremony, and a Thanksgiving Feast with all the
of eight teachers to create trimmings!
160 custom STEAM The Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center is valued in the
projects, 172 videos, community as is the founder, Runner, a humble icon
856 home care kits and of selfless giving. This special place inspires all who
published them under the know and experience it. Runner shares, “My goal is that
tag #TutorialCenterCamp everyone has opportunities to succeed. A lot of that starts
during the summer. 100 with feeling loved and valued.”
percent of parents reported Photos contributed by the
students participated in Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center
these programs regularly
and area schools reported
Pet Matters

by Pat Deshong, President of Furry Friends
Adoption, Clinic & Ranch, February 2021 Dubois was is one of the
happiest cats we have had the
pleasure to get to know. He
“ For the Love of is very affectionate and will
Animals” features real ensure you are too. He goes out
stories happening at Furry of his way to greet every person
Friends in Jupiter. We are who visits and is great with all
The Humane Society of of the other cats as well. He is
Greater Jupiter/Tequesta litterbox trained and is ready to
and the only no-kill shelter be your best friend.
open to the public in northern Abandoned at a boarding
Palm Beach County. We’ve Land Rover Palm Beach Presents the Pull for Paws facility... unbelievable! This
been rescuing, rehabilitating, boy is the sweetest. SAMMY
and re-homing the homeless Clay Shoot benefitting the Furry Friends Shelter to Service is a beautiful 5-year-old terrier/
animals in our community Dog Program! Come out to South Florida Shooting Club chocolate lab mix, who weighs
for more than 30 years. on March 26th and enjoy a fun filled day of clays, raffles, 65 lbs. He loves his crate but
Our not for profit 501c3 prizes and lunch all to benefit Furry Friend's Shelter to doesn't need to be crated AND
organization consists of our Service Dog Program which trains abandoned shelter dogs he knows basic commands!
Jupiter based adoption center, veterinary clinic (open to the and trains them to be service dogs for deserving veterans He's good with people but due
public), thrift boutique, and Palm City Ranch. - We Are Saving Two Lives At A Time! to his size, we feel a home with
no small children would be best
for him. Due to his background,
When considering adding a furry family member to he can be cautious with strangers but with proper introductions,
your family, please visit our Palm City Ranch at 4841 SW he warms up quickly and LOVES TO BE LOVED. He's lived in
Zarrella Street or our new Jupiter Adoption Center at 100 a home with cats and was fine with them. As with humans, he
Capital Street in the Jupiter Commerce Park. PLEASE would thrive best if proper introductions with other dogs is made.
CALL 561-747-5311 PRIOR TO VISITING EITHER
LOCATION DUE TO COVID-19. Ways to donate (tax ID #59-2111273):
Blessings to you for your support and faith in us… all 1. Mail a check made payable to Furry Friends to 100 Capital
Street, Jupiter, FL 33458.
for the LOVE of animals! 2. Visit www.furryfriendsadoption.org
3. Call us with your credit card information at 561.747.5311 ext. 3
“Your donation creates the possibilities to make miracles
Patricia Deshong, President happen for our Furry Friends”

COME TO FURRY FRIENDS TO MEET THE
LOVE OF YOUR LIFE - TWO LEGGED OR FOUR!
We invite you to our “Paws
For Love - Singles Mingle”
Covid - safe outdoor dating
event on February 11th at
our new facility in Jupiter!
This free event includes hors
d’oeuvres and beverages
and take-home doggy bags!
Visit our website at www.
furryfriendsadoption.org to
register. Paid Advertisement