Builders have the right stuff in Manatee and Sarasota counties

Builders have the right stuff

Jessica Percel, the chair of the Young Building Professionals Committee of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, grabbed two backpacks and made her way down the tables topped with school supplies July 8 during the organization's sixth annual Stuff the Backpack drive. 

After stuffing her backpacks with crayons, notebooks, folders, pencils and colored pencils, Percel went outside to hand the backpacks to Dawn Bouck, the community engagement manager for the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota. 

The organization stuffed 300 backpacks for the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota.

"There are a lot of children out there that might not have brand new supplies, and we wanted to give them an opportunity to go to school with new supplies," Percel said. 

Game stretches kids' limits

When Lakewood Ranch's Lilah Santiago heard "Red light," 

from another Youth Yoga participant at Bob Gardner Community Park July 10, she froze and went into the "downward dog" yoga position. 

Santiago said she loves playing games like Red Light, Green Light at the end of Youth Yoga sessions. 

"It's lots of fun to do yoga here," said Santiago, who is 6 years old. The event is hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.