Page 6 - Hobe Sound Reflections - April '22

Page 6, Hobe Sound

FundraIsIng

Dunbar And Banner Lake

Receive $750,000 In Federal
Grant Funds By The Martin

County Board Of County
Commissioners

Dunbar Early Learning Center and Banner Lake Club
of Hobe Sound have been awarded a total of $750,000
in grant funding by the Martin County Board of County
Commissioners to improve the lives of the people they
serve in the Banner Lake community. Inside one of the classrooms at the Dunbar Early Learning Children at the Dunbar Early Learning Center in Hobe
Both organizations presented compelling visions for Center in Hobe Sound Sound
how they would use the funds awarded by Martin County
as part of the federal government’s COVID response. Based funds. Bathrooms will be renovated to make them safer,
on the strength of their proposals, Dunbar will receive a including the installation of hands-free fixtures, lighting
grant of $500,000, and Banner Lake will receive $250,000. and filtration to provide maximum sanitation in all areas.
The United Way of Martin County managed the Educational technology including classroom upgrades and
competitive process for the Martin County Board of County Internet connection will be upgraded. Outside, a canopy
Commissioners to review and rank the proposals that were will be constructed to shield the children from the sun’s
submitted by local nonprofit organizations, where the rays while children learn and play.
proposals from Dunbar and Banner Lake met with success. “Our families are working hard to achieve the best life
“United Way of Martin County is proud to partner with possible for their children. The pandemic made everything
the Martin County Board of County Commissioners in the harder in their lives. Jobs were lost, gaps in education
managing, ranking and monitoring of the funds,” said Carol occurred and food insecurity grew,” Reynoso said. “We
G. Houwaart-Diez, president and CEO. “Congratulations owe it to our families to make this setting as safe and
to Dunbar Early Learning Center and Banner Lake Club on welcoming as possible so our children can learn and grow
being a part of this historic investment in Martin County.” socially, emotionally and academically.” Students in the classroom at the Banner Lake Academy in
Dunbar Early Learning Center’s unique programs The Banner Lake Club will use the funds to renovate Hobe Sound
incorporate a variety of educational theories, while always an addition to its very popular Teen Center. It will provide
keeping the child’s best interest in mind and allowing a private area where the outreach coordinator can conduct the Banner Lake Community. BLC provides community
for hands-on, experiential learning. Dunbar will use the individual and family counseling and will also add space and educational services including a free after-school and
funds to make its facility a healthier, safer environment for the soup kitchen, nutritional counseling, special events, summer program called B.L.A.S.T. (Banner Lake After
for the children from birth to age 5 that attend the center’s the Banner Lake assistance program, and the food pantry, School Time) for children ages 5 to 18 as well as a new
program. “We’re developing a premier educational which is conducted in partnership with the House of academy for students in kindergarten through third grade.
experience for our children,” Executive Director Wendy Hope. “It’s important to have a private place for families BLC also has a teen program, a food pantry, community
Reynoso said, “And we are committed to raising the level to meet face to face with our staff and talk about needs café, soup kitchen and a senior meals program that
of education and our physical facility, so that we can and solutions,” Reynoso said. “We work with the other delivers meals to qualifying seniors. For more information
continue to provide first-rate care.” agencies and organizations in our community to support visit bannerlake.org, call (772) 402-5167, email office@
Among many improvements, flooring is at the top of the our families, and this space will enable us all to better serve bannerlake.org, or follow them on Facebook at www.
list. The existing carpet is more than 30 years old, and the our community.” facebook.com/bannerlakeclub.
building’s interior is starting to show its age. The flooring To show additional community support, Commissioner About Dunbar Early Learning Center
throughout the center will be replaced thanks to the grant Harold Jenkins is providing $25,000 in matching District The Dunbar Early Learning Center is a 501(c)(3)
funds to enhance the efforts of both organizations. nonprofit organization founded in 1990 whose mission is
“We feel incredibly grateful to the many individuals to provide care, education, and promotion of the children
Club News and organizations that are helping us transform our and families within Martin County. Dunbar is dedicated
to creating a nurturing, stimulating, and welcoming
community,” Reynoso said. “Together we’re making a
difference.” environment for all children through its unique programs
Break Through Brick Walls About Banner Lake Club, Inc. and a variety of educational theories while always keeping

the child’s best interest in mind and allowing for hands-
The Banner Lake Club (BLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
With The Martin County organization whose mission is to improve the quality of on, experiential learning. For more information, visit
dunbarearlylearningcenter.org or call (772) 545-0808.
life for Hobe Sound residents, primarily those in need in
Genealogical Society
In genealogy research impasses are inevitable, but they
don’t have to be permanent stoppers. A number of methods
can be employed to break through brick walls. At the Martin
County Genealogical Society’s (MCGS) May meeting,
George G. Morgan, a member of the Genealogy Guys podcast
series, will share proven strategies for circumnavigating
some of the most stubborn roadblocks one might encounter.
Morgan’s presentation, ”Getting Past Brick Walls,” is based Est. 1926
on the best-selling book, Advanced Genealogy Research The Heart of Hobe Sound
Techniques, he co-authored with Drew Smith.
Free and open to the public, the meeting will be at
the Blake Library in Stuart from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, May We Wish Our Northern Friends A WE are YOUR Community
20. The meeting is in person, but the presentation will be Church
virtual. To participate via Zoom, go to mcgsfl.org and
register before May 19. Safe Journey When They Return To All Visitors Welcome
George G. Morgan is president of Aha! Seminars, Inc.,
Tampa, Fla., which has been training library personnel and Their Northern Homes We Invite You to Worship with Us
genealogists since 1996. His interest in genealogy began at Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
age 9 when he discovered his family history preceded the WE ARE ON FACEBOOK LIVE
American Revolution. Since then, George’s genealogical EASTER IS APRIL 17 ... Come join us on every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.
research has expanded to include all the branches of his Easter Sunday for full choir and memorable Give us a call or visit our
family tree. Libraries, archives, courthouses and cemeteries
are among his favorite haunts, and he will leave no stone hymns on this important and meaningful day website for more information.
unturned. He works with and understands all types of to all of us and the church. (772) 546-5043
genealogy records in the United States, Canada, the UK and www.heartofhobesound.org
Australia. He is a recognized expert in genealogy software MONTHLY DINNERS
programs, databases, Internet resources and social media. Monthly dinners to help offset some of the almost $350,000 in
In addition to its monthly meetings and special renovation cost to our Church – Dinner will be held on the 2nd Friday
courses, the genealogical society offers a variety of of the month at 5:30 p.m. from October thru May
Cost is $15 per person
services at the genealogy room in the Blake Library in APRIL 8 - MARVELOUSLY MADE BY JUDY D.
Stuart including an extensive research library, access to OLD FASHIONED...BEEF STROGANOFF.
several genealogy websites and assistance from MCGS A tasty dish especially prepared by the MICHIGAN native.
volunteers. For more information about membership,
activities and services go to mcgsfl.org.
11933 SE Juno Crescent • Hobe Sound, Florida 33455