Page 1 - Hobe Sound Reflections - March '21

VOL. 22 NO. 3 www.seabreezepublications.com MARCH 2021

Kiwanis Club Of MC Raises Funds For K9 Project

By Jackie Holfelder
The 2018 killing of Cigo, a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office K9 who was chasing
a suspect at the time, was the inspiration for a Kiwanis Club of Martin County project
that came to a successful conclusion this past December.
The youngsters, who are affiliated with Kiwanis, encouraged members of the
nonprofit to reach out to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) to see about raising
money to buy bulletproof vests for MCSO K9s. Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Pearlman assured
the Kiwanians that the K9 Unit had the protective vests but could use equipment like
bite sleeves, bite suits, muzzles, tug toys, special leashes and harnesses.
The Kiwanis Club of Martin County chose this to be their 2019 project, and contacted
Key Clubs from Jensen Beach and Martin County High Schools, the Builders Club from
Stuart Middle School, and the K Kids Clubs from Pinewood, Felix Williams, Bessey
Creek, and Parker Elementary Schools.
MCSO K9 Unit dogs and officers visited each of the schools, demonstrating what the
dogs do to assist in arrests and crime solving. The fascinated young members of each
club were motivated to plan projects that would raise money to donate to the Sheriff’s
Department. Projects included such things as bake sales, selling lapel pins with the
likeness of a K9 Unit member and crafts.
Additionally, the Kiwanis Club of Martin County applied for – and received - two
grants through the Florida Kiwanis Foundation to add to the donation. Between grants
and projects, $2,000 was raised – in spite of local schools that had to be shut down
before the project was completed, as a result of the pandemic.
On December 3, 2020, the Kiwanis Club of Martin County presented a check for $2,000
Members of MCSO K9 Unit, Key Club of Jensen Beach High School and Kiwanis of Martin
Kiwanis Club on page 2 County at check presentation
Vaccinations Provide Peace Drive-Through Food

Of Mind For Sandhill Distributions At Clover Park

Cove Retirement Living Made Possible By The Steven &

Residents And Employees Alexandra Cohen Foundation

As New Mets Owner Cohen Supports
The COVID pandemic
continues to be a worldwide Spring Training Hometown
threat, and healthcare
workers and persons over The Steven & Alexandra Cohen
the age of 65 are among the Foundation has partnered with Treasure
most vulnerable. However, Coast Food Bank to provide additional
even when the vaccines were opportunities for people who are struggling
finally approved, getting to obtain food.
them distributed to those With support from the Steven &
most in need was difficult. Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Treasure
At Sandhill Cove Coast Food Bank has held two drive-
Retirement Living in Palm through mobile food distributions in recent
City, the health and safety Shawn Perrigo, executive director of Sandhill Cove, weeks at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
of residents and employees reviews the consent forms with residents prior to their Fresh produce, meat, and shelf-stable food
is the priority of Shawn vaccinations in January. items were distributed to 1,000 families in
need.
Vaccinations Provide Peace Of Mind on page 2 At a distribution on Feb. 13, Mets Treasure Coast Food Bank CEO Judith
outfielder Brandon Nimmo greeted families Cruz and Mets left fielder Brandon
and lent a hand distributing food. Mets Nimmo
President Sandy Alderson and several local
officials pitched in as well.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
to help families impacted by COVID-19 here in Port St. Lucie,” said Judith Cruz,
president and CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank. “We’ve had a longstanding

Drive-Through Food Distributions on page 4