Page 4 - Martin Downs Bulletin - February '22

Page 4, Martin Downs

HonorinG

Communities Connected For was nominated by her program director, Jill Poole.
“Although Shearon spends many hours of her day
Kids (CCKids) Congratulates supporting and providing resources to our adoptive parents,
Shearon Demps And Amanda she recently offered assistance to a caregiver that I think goes
above and beyond.”
Tobon For Winning This An adoptive parent of nine children recently passed away
unexpectedly, leaving the caregiver’s adult daughter to care
Quarter’s Going The Extra for her younger siblings.
Demps helped the caregiver secure local resources to
Mile – Or GEM – Award help the children transition comfortably to her home and
helped her through the legal process of obtaining permanent
Demps and Tobon won the award, an honor given to guardianship of her siblings.
staff and caregivers for excellence in service to children “Shearon recognized the family was overwhelmed by
and families in Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast, for the Amanda Tobon Shearon Demps their recent loss and required more than just website links
period spanning October through December. and telephone numbers,” Poole said. “And in anticipation of
Tobon, a case manager in St. Lucie County, received “I want to personally make an impact for those families future needs, she provided resources for legal representation
the award in the Emerald Division, which covers case- who are struggling with basic needs so they know that they and completed a second request for financial assistance to
management staff. have what it takes to be successful, and that one mistake file the guardianship paperwork.
“Amanda is one of the best worker’s we have had at doesn’t define your future,” she said. “It’s not how many “Then, she literally went the extra mile to personally pick
CCKids,” said Family Support Worker Kerry Dulcio, who times you fall down that matters, but, despite the odds, how up the check and hand deliver it to the family.”
nominated Tobon for the award. “She is tremendously many times you get back up and fight.” CCKids’ Board of Directors will recognize Demps and
committed to getting the work done and helping those who For Demps, the recognition was literally for going the Tobon on a Zoom call during its January board meeting.
need help, both in the office and in the field.” extra mile (or two). Each employee will receive a $100 bonus and a plaque.
Tobon has worked for CCKids for three years and says Demps, a permanency specialist in the caregiver support We are happy to take nominations from the community.
she enjoys helping families with few resources find what program, received the award in the Ruby Division, which If you know a CCKids employee who has gone above and
they need to succeed. recognizes the work of administrative and program staff. She beyond, let us know.

Fundraising

Slay Rides Fundraiser Slays Slay Rides was sponsored by Matt Okerson and CTM
Customs, an automotive customization shop located in
‘Em With Custom Vehicles Stuart. They sold “Catch the Wave of Hope” shirts at their
own booth, to raise additional monies for the nonprofit.
By Jackie Holfelder Catch the Wave of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
CTM Customs wowed those attending the Slay Rides working locally to prevent sex trafficking of children
fundraiser to benefit Catch the Wave of Hope (CWH) and through awareness, education, restoration and legislation.
Operation 300 on Dec. 11 at Treasure Coast Square Mall. Its vision is to be an empowering voice and defender
The highlight of the show was the 300-plus vehicles on of these children and it is the only organization on the
display. Treasure Coast with the sole purpose of working to
Attendees dropped off unwrapped toys for 4KIDS – a combat this important issue.
local foster care agency – and enjoyed a host of food trucks, Operation 300, which has been providing mentorship
exciting vendor booths and Christmas music. to children of the fallen, honoring the sacrifice of those
Kids and their families got to vote for the car, truck or who’ve given their all for our freedom, and promoting
jeep that was best in the show. patriotism and service on the Treasure Coast since 2012,
Youngsters were also encouraged to participate in a is the other nonprofit that will benefit.
scavenger hunt to win a grand prize from Code Red Roofers For more information about Catch the Wave of Hope
worth more than $200. One of the clues required them to stop Frank Consalo, CWH supporter; Annie Laurine, Kelly and its work as an empowering voice and defender of
by the Catch the Wave of Hope booth and make a video of Laurine, CWH Board President; Jack Laurine; Sarah Marie children, visit www.catchthewaveofhope.org.
themselves asking what the nonprofit does. Winners received Henry, CWH Community Development Director; and Gary Photo provided by Catch the Wave of Hope
trophies. Oster, CWH supporter
Good Works

Foster Parents Make Sure permission from the courts for the visit to take place, and Our mission is to enhance the safety, permanency and
Children Woke Up Christmas the family spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together. well-being for all children in Okeechobee and the Treasure
The Johnsons continue to support the mother and her
Coast through a community network of family support
Morning To Their Mom children and leads through the example of co-parenting, a services. Our vision is to eliminate child abuse, neglect and
abandonment in Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast so all
biological/foster parent partnership that is now the model in
the state of Florida, Altiery said. children grow to their full potential.
Communities Connected “Jackie and Aaron represent the values and mission of
for Kids (CCKids) Communities Connected for Kids as well as what it truly
congratulates the year’s first means to be foster parents,” she said.
Topaz Award recipients –
Martin County caregivers
Jacqueline and Brian
“Aaron” Johnson.
The Johnsons are only the
third to receive the Topaz
Award, a recent expansion
of the Going the Extra Mile
– or GEM – award, which
highlights extraordinary
contributions of CCKids
staff, case management and foster parents.
“They are foster parents to twin 2-year-old boys who were
having a difficult time reconnecting with their mother,” said
Martin County Case Manager Supervisor Mary Altiery, who
nominated the couple for the award.
“On Thanksgiving, the foster family opened their home
to the mother and invited her to come to dinner so she could
spend the holiday with her boys,” Altiery said.
Then, just before Christmas, Altiery said she received a
request from the couple.
“They wanted permission to have the mother spend the
night on Christmas Eve so she could be there in the morning
when the boys woke up,” she said.
Altiery, herself a past recipient of a GEM Award, got