Page 6 - Stuart Exposure - February '22
P. 6

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.
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