Page 1 - Martin Downs Bulletin - May '21

VOL. 23 NO. 5 www.seabreezepublications.com MAY 2021

‘Heroes’ Exhibit Salutes First Responders

By Jackie Holfelder
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.
They decided that the theme of the Rising Star Spring, 2021 exhibit would be “Heroes” and
included in the holiday gift basket that each first responder received from VSOA an invitation to
the show, which took place the weekend of April 9 to 11 at Stuart Infiniti’s showroom.
In the interim, the talented VSOA artists (students are aged 5 to 18) and teachers created
masterpieces that paid tribute to law enforcement, first responders and medical personnel.
An invitation only VIP Reception was held on April 9. It included speeches of gratitude to the
real-life heroes of the evening, delicious food and beverages and an auction of three outstanding
works of art, conducted by esteemed auctioneer Elliot Paul.
The trio of three original pieces were created by VSOA students Christopher Carnes and
Alexandra Trejo, VSOA teacher Alice Laputka and Barletta, herself.
Visionary School of Arts, founded by Barletta in 2010, is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit that uses art
to not only provide a creative outlet for students of all ages, but to use art as a vehicle, in order to
bring messages of leadership, values and change.
For more information, visit VisionarySchoolofArts.org or call (772) 283-4888.
Photos by Jackie Holfelder Lynne Barletta, founder/executive director of VSOA, flanked by Martin County Sheriff Office
Deputy Ed Fitzgerald, Major John Budensiek, Deputy Crystal Nash, Community Police
‘Heroes’ Exhibit on page 5 Deputy Michael Vitello and Manager Trisha Kukuvka
Students Recognized For Good Character

Through Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards

There’s light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but many time-honored events still have not
returned to normal. Last year to adapt to this challenging time, United Way of Martin County found
creative ways to recognize students who were honored for their outstanding character through the
CHARACTER COUNTS! Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards.
Instead of honoring students during a ceremony, United Way of Martin County CHARACTER
COUNTS! advisory board members continued the pandemic-friendly recognition they started last
year by placing signs at students’ homes that read “A Joe Kordick Youth Character Award Winner
Lives Here.” Seniors were also presented with a $1,000 cash award and middle school recipients
were presented with a plaque.
Presented by United Way of Martin County’s CHARACTER COUNTS! program and sponsored
by Phyllis Kordick, the awards are presented annually to middle school students and high school
seniors in the Martin County School District.
“It’s been a difficult year, especially where character is concerned, which is what makes it
even more important to recognize the exceptional character demonstrated by our Joe Kordick

Students Recognized For Good Character on page 4 Lillian Dietrich Shelby Sexton Rose Kores
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 response appliance store. Appointments for the site are required and preregistration is available online at
to the pandemic called for a colossal community-wide collaboration spearheaded by the Florida www.MyVaccine.FL.Gov or by phone at (866) 201-7037.
Department of Health in Martin County (DOH). Support for the vaccination clinics comes from state and local partners including Martin
“This past year has been like no other. I am incredibly proud of our DOH-Martin staff and our
agency’s response, but we could not have done it alone,” said Carol Ann Vitani, health officer for Public Health In Action on page 3
the Florida Department of Health. “Our partnerships and volunteers helped set our community
on the path to recovery.”
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 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

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