Page 6 - Stuart Exposure - February '22
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Page 6, Stuart Exposure
Honoring
Communities Connected For support program, received the award in the Ruby Division,
which recognizes the work of administrative and program
Kids (CCKids) Congratulates staff. She was nominated by her program director, Jill
Shearon Demps And Amanda Poole.
“Although Shearon spends many hours of her day
Tobon For Winning This supporting and providing resources to our adoptive
parents, she recently offered assistance to a caregiver that
Quarter’s Going The Extra I think goes above and beyond.”
An adoptive parent of nine children recently passed
Mile – Or GEM – Award away unexpectedly, leaving the caregiver’s adult daughter
to care for her younger siblings.
Demps and Tobon won the award, an honor given to Demps helped the caregiver secure local resources
staff and caregivers for excellence in service to children to help the children transition comfortably to her home
and families in Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast, for Amanda Tobon Shearon Demps and helped her through the legal process of obtaining
the period spanning October through December. permanent guardianship of her siblings.
Tobon, a case manager in St. Lucie County, received committed to getting the work done and helping those “Shearon recognized the family was overwhelmed
the award in the Emerald Division, which covers case- who need help, both in the office and in the field.” by their recent loss and required more than just website
management staff. Tobon has worked for CCKids for three years and says links and telephone numbers,” Poole said. “And in
“Amanda is one of the best worker’s we have had at she enjoys helping families with few resources find what anticipation of future needs, she provided resources for
CCKids,” said Family Support Worker Kerry Dulcio, who they need to succeed. legal representation and completed a second request for
nominated Tobon for the award. “She is tremendously “I want to personally make an impact for those families financial assistance to file the guardianship paperwork.
who are struggling with basic needs so they know that they “Then, she literally went the extra mile to personally
have what it takes to be successful, and that one mistake pick up the check and hand deliver it to the family.”
Lundin Kudo Empty Bowls from page 1 doesn’t define your future,” she said. “It’s not how many CCKids’ Board of Directors will recognize Demps and
times you fall down that matters, but, despite the odds, Tobon on a Zoom call during its January board meeting.
long-running event pairs the talents and generosity of the how many times you get back up and fight.” Each employee will receive a $100 bonus and a plaque.
artists, volunteers and local restaurants to raise money For Demps, the recognition was literally for going the We are happy to take nominations from the community.
for organizations that fight hunger in Martin County. extra mile (or two). If you know a CCKids employee who has gone above and
On that day, guests can enjoy a serving of savory soup Demps, a permanency specialist in the caregiver beyond, let us know.
and locally baked bread served in handcrafted bowls
created by the local artists. Guests keep the bowl of their
choice in exchange for a $20 donation. All proceeds
benefit Treasure Coast Food Bank and Mary’s Kitchen.
The Lundin Kudo Empty Bowls Project honors the Aligned
late ceramic artist Lundin Kudo, who created art for with
many decades in her Stuart, Fla., studio. The event
also features the Mae Slaton “Souper” Bowl Auction,
featuring exceptional bowls provided by community Home • Auto • Boat • RV • Life
artists who donate their time and talent. Flood • Business • Commercial
Area chefs and restaurants are donating their culinary
talents to the event, providing guests with several
varieties of soup for their empty bowls meal. Look
for selections from Chef’s Table of Stuart, Conchy Mary-Beth Zipsir
Joe’s Seafood, Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House, Ellie’s Agent in Charge
Downtown Deli, The Gafford, Healthy Harvest Catering,
Kazu, Osceola Street Café, and students from the Martin O: (772) 233-4444
County High School Academy of Culinary Arts. www.smartchoicepartnersfl.com
While these soups will provide a hearty meal, the
empty bowl and a serving of soup is a reminder of the
one in four people on the Treasure Coast who don’t It's our policy that you know yours
always have enough nutritious food to eat.
The event is made possible with support from The
Woman’s Club of Stuart, Clay Habit Studio, Lighthouse
ArtCenter Gallery and School of Art, 3D Potter Inc., and
Publix, which is providing fresh bread to be served with
each bowl of soup.
The event takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at
the Woman’s Club of Stuart, 729 East Ocean Blvd.
About Treasure Coast Food Bank
Treasure Coast Food Bank is the only food bank and
largest hunger relief organization on Florida’s Treasure
Coast, providing the community each year with millions
of meals valued at more than $50 million through
robust programs and in partnership with 400 charitable
organizations in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and
Okeechobee counties. In addition to emergency food
distribution, Treasure Coast Food Bank operates a full
roster of direct service programs that not only solve
the immediate problem of hunger, but help individuals
and families gain long-term food security, better health
outcomes, and self-sufficiency. Treasure Coast Food
Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nationwide
network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against
hunger in the United States. For more information on
Treasure Coast Food Bank, call (772) 489-3034, log onto
stophunger.org, visit our Facebook page at facebook.
com/tcfoodbank, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/
tcfoodbank.