Page 1 - Hobe Sound Reflections - May '21

VOL. 22 NO. 5 www.seabreezepublications.com MAY 2021

‘Heroes’ Exhibit Students Recognized For Good

Salutes First Responders Character Through Joe Kordick

By Jackie Holfelder Youth Character Awards
During the heart of the pandemic, leading up to the 2020 holiday season, Lynne
Barletta, founder of Visionary School of Arts (VSOA), the staff and the students were
looking for a way to show their gratitude to Martin County’s first responders. There’s light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but many time-honored events
They decided that the theme of the Rising Star Spring, 2021 exhibit would be still have not returned to normal. Last year to adapt to this challenging time, United
“Heroes” and included in the holiday gift basket that each first responder received Way of Martin County found creative ways to recognize students who were honored
from VSOA an invitation to the show, which took place the weekend of April 9 to 11 for their outstanding character through the CHARACTER COUNTS! Joe Kordick
at Stuart Infiniti’s showroom. Youth Character Awards.
Instead of honoring students during a ceremony, United Way of Martin County
CHARACTER COUNTS! advisory board members continued the pandemic-friendly

Lynne Barletta, founder/executive director of VSOA, flanked by Martin County Sheriff Office
Deputy Ed Fitzgerald, Major John Budensiek, Deputy Crystal Nash, Community Police Lillian Dietrich Shelby Sexton Rose Kores
Deputy Michael Vitello and Manager Trisha Kukuvka
Students Recognized For Good Character on page 3
‘Heroes’ Exhibit on page 4
Public Health In Action: Community Organizations Band

Together For Pandemic Response And Recovery

The year 2020 posed an extraordinary challenge for public health agencies and the County Government, the United Way of Martin County, as well as community volunteers.
response to the pandemic called for a colossal community-wide collaboration spearheaded Volunteers are currently supporting DOH-Martin vaccination clinics by providing shots,
by the Florida Department of Health in Martin County (DOH). assisting with clerical work, outreach events and more. “Volunteers are an integral part our
“This past year has been like no other. I am incredibly proud of our DOH-Martin staff team. Their support helps us expand our work in the community and provide vaccination
and our agency’s response, but we could not have done it alone,” said Carol Ann Vitani, throughout the community, especially in underserved areas,” said Vitani. DOH-Martin has
health officer for the Florida Department of Health. “Our partnerships and volunteers helped utilized volunteers throughout the years to support many special events including school
set our community on the path to recovery.” health screenings, emergency preparedness trainings and vaccination clinics.
COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing remain ongoing since early 2020, and
the end of the year brought hope with the introduction of the vaccine. Vaccination efforts in Public Health In Action on page 6
Martin County began in early January and clinics and outreach events are ongoing based
on supply.
In March, DOH-Martin in partnership with Martin County Government launched a
vaccination clinic site at the Treasure Coast Square Mall in the retail spot formerly held by
the HH Gregg appliance store. Appointments for the site are required and preregistration is
available online at www.MyVaccine.FL.Gov or by phone at (866) 201-7037.
Support for the vaccination clinics comes from state and local partners including Martin

Sue Hardesty, R.N. and Rhonda Mary Ettari, P.A.; Sophie Soren, EMT; and Kathi
Foerscht, R.N. Harvey, R.N.