Our Town 9.06.12

+ Happy feet
Summerfield resident Jody Hughes couldn’t resist sending in this picture of her 4-year-old twin sons, Nicholas and Christian, after friends encouraged her to do so.

“(The photo) is unique because it caught them with ‘both of their feet off the ground in the air at the same time,’ showing their excitement toward school,” Hughes says.

The children attend Sprouts Preschool at Harvest United Methodist Church.

+ East County to remember Sept. 11
East County residents are invited to commemorate the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, during a special remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Sept. 11, at Manatee Technical Institute’s east campus, 5520 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

GreyHawk Landing’s Garrett Lindgren, who worked as a New York City firefighter at the time of the attack, will be the keynote speaker.

+ Concert benefits Manasota B.U.D.S.
As Wild Ginger takes the stage at 6 p.m. Sept. 7, at Lakewood Ranch Main Street’s Music on Main event, East County residents can rally for a cause.

The evening’s proceeds from beer, wine and food sales will benefit Manasota B.U.D.S. (Bringing Up Down Syndrome).

+ Businesses, church help local schools
Two businesses and a church recently held collection drives for school supplies to help local families in need.

Kerkering Barberio’s young professionals recently joined with other accounting firms to participate in the Global Volunteer Week.

In conjunction with Leading EdgeAlliance, Barberio’s young professionals collected more than 500 school items and more than $700 in cash for Gocio Elementary School.

“For this event, Kerkering Barberio and its young professionals joined other CPA firms world-wide to come together for a common goal and to champion a cause we are passionate about, “ said Rob Lane, managing shareholder.

Additionally, Fifth Third Bank collected enough school supplies during its annual “Back to School” supply drive to fill 1,000 backpacks. The Manatee Education Foundation received a portion of the supplies to provide to local children.

Children at Peace Presbyterian Church also collected 75 backpacks for children at Mission Beth-El in Wimauma, a farm worker mission supported by the church. Children collected school supplies and $170 in cash to donate, as well.

+ Tara teachers earn grants
Six teachers at Tara Elementary School won Manatee Education Foundation grants for the 2012-13 school year. Grant recipients were Mary Searing, Amy Willis, Joan Novak, Tricia Buckstein, Charlene Backhus and Linda Haluska.