Treasure Coast Business named best new magazine in state

Treasure Coast Business Magazine, a publication of Indian River Magazine Inc., has been named the best new magazine in the state by the Florida Magazine Association.

The general excellence award was announced July 24 during the FMA’s annual awards ceremony. Treasure Coast Business Magazine, which launched in July 2019, is produced through a unique partnership between Indian River Magazine Inc. and the Florida Small Business Development Center at Indian River State College. The magazine is published quarterly: in January, April, July and October.

In each issue, the professional writers... read more >>

In a typical week, you could find Management Marine Service helping the U.S. Coast Guard with nine or 10 training events at three locations. The small business may also be preparing a boat to logistically support a Department of Defense exercise or finishing up work for the Royal Canadian Air Force. And then, of course, there is general maintenance of its 12-boat fleet to do and paperwork, always paperwork.

“You just move from one project to another, managing the surges,” business owner George A. Adams said.

Management Marine Service is a maritime logistical support company based in... Read more >>

“We noticed that there was a lot of emphasis on virtual education, and we wanted to be able to balance that with opportunities to get outside,” said Heather Kramer, an Environmental Educator at ELC and one of the kit’s creators. “We like to think of them as invitations to the outdoors.”

Educators used the funding from the grant, along with a generous donation from the Garden Club to create four kits; Bugs! Bugs! Bugs, Be a Scientist, Birds of a Feather and Light and Color. Kits are designed for ages 6-11 and come with instructions and materials for six hands-on activities. There are also instructional videos on ELC’s website, and two opportunities for engagement with an educator with a virtual “Unboxing” and a virtual “Show & Tell.”

“My niece and nephew loved the video session and the bug kits. My sister didn't let them look inside until the unboxing, and they could hardly wait.  My niece sat next to her box thirty minutes prior to the video session,” said Kristina Laguardia, a parent.

“The community really responded,” said Amy Shea, Environmental Educator and box creator at the ELC. “We sold out of our first two kits within the first few weeks!”

The kits also create quite the stir in the education office as well, since 100 kits are assembled each series. ELC utilizes their amazing volunteer force for the many hours of sorting, packing and stamping that goes into the assembly of each kit. Utilizing their volunteers is a way to help keep the kits affordable. Not to mention 25% of the kits created are donated to local organizations. So far, the recipients have been Daisy Hope, The Learning Alliance and The Suncoast Mental Health Center.

Nature Near You Kits can be purchased on DiscoverELC.org.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring future kits, please contact heatherk@discoverelc.org.

The Treasure Coast Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is honoring community volunteers and philanthropists during a multi-week celebration throughout the month of November that includes virtual recognition and fun supplies for optional small gatherings to safely celebrate our Home Town Heroes.

National Philanthropy Day is celebrated in more than 500 locations across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The AFP Treasure Coast Chapter has hosted its National Philanthropy Day celebration since 1995. Since its inception, nearly 200 outstanding groups and individuals from the Treasure Coast have joined the elite group of recipients. This year we continue to celebrate those in Martin and St. Lucie Counties whose contributions make a significant impact in our community.

To honor its many donors and volunteers, the Treasure Coast Chapter has established the following recognition categories: Individual Philanthropist, Volunteer Fundraiser, Corporate Philanthropist, Group or Foundation Supporting Philanthropy, Youth in Philanthropy, Unsung Hero, and the Legacy Award.

Nominations can be submitted online at afptreasurecoast.org

Nominations must be received by MIDNIGHT, Friday, July 31, 2020 to be considered. All honorees will be celebrated and award recipients will be announced on November 20. You do not have to be a member of AFP to nominate someone.

“Receiving the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals was an incredibly humbling honor. While I was so appreciative to receive the award, I was even more so inspired hearing about each of the evening's honorees. National Philanthropy Day is a reminder of the truly remarkable community we live in filled with passionate individuals doing so much to make the world a better place. Receiving the Outstanding Volunteer Award also made me realize the impact I can make and encouraged me to do more. I went on to volunteer for several other causes to help raise funds for worthwhile projects and continue to prioritize volunteering to this day. National Philanthropy Day reminded me and continues to remind me of the needs of our community and the people working together to help meet those needs. Together, we can do great things.” — Kim Wasser Nash, Outstanding Volunteer Award Recipient

For information about the 2020 National Philanthropy Day celebration, the nomination process and/or sponsorship opportunities, please contact NPD Chair Samantha Ramlall  at 772-342-5091 or info@afptreasurecoast.org.

The PNC Foundation has awarded a $400,000 grant to the Florida Association of Early Learning Coalitions, benefiting 16 Early Learning Coalitions across the state to launch the “Any Time is 3Ts Time” campaign, including locally, the Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County (ELCSLC) . Created by the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health at the University of Chicago, the campaign is designed to empower parents with knowledge and skills to foster the early cognitive and socio-emotional development of their infants and toddlers. “Any Time is 3Ts Time” is supported by the PNC Foundation in collaboration with PNC Grow Up Great®, a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. Research shows that the more adults talk and interact with kids right from the start, the stronger kids’ brains grow.

With science as the cornerstone, the "Any Time is 3Ts Time" campaign is built on the 3Ts – “Tune In, Talk More and Take Turns” – a simple, yet powerful tool that helps parents make the most of everyday interactions with their young children. As part of this campaign, Early Learning Coalitions throughout Florida, including the Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County, will provide print and electronic resources to parents, caregivers and a network of community partners, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. These materials will complement the 3Ts Digital Tool, available for free on any smartphone, tablet or computer in English and Spanish.

“We are excited to bring awareness of these high-quality early educational resources to our communities here in Florida,” said Chad Loar, PNC regional president for the west & central Florida market. “Built upon the foundation of the TMW Center’s proven research, these tools will have a big impact on the children whose families seize this opportunity to enhance their development and early learning experiences.”

This 3Ts Digital Tool guides parents through lessons, teaches 3Ts strategies, and features videos of parents using the 3Ts in everyday settings. Through completion of this short online program, parents develop critical knowledge and actionable skills.

“This important relationship brings business and education leaders together to support families in their endeavor to raise strong, confident children,” said Erin Smeltzer, AELC executive director. “We are so thankful to the PNC Foundation for investing in Florida’s families and young children to lay the foundation for their future success.” Agrees Tony Loupe, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County, “Parents are a child’s first teacher,  especially during current conditions, as families spend more time together.”

The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. For more information, visit http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com.

The Association of Early Learning Coalitions (AELC) is an organization comprised of 30 early learning coalitions throughout the State of Florida, which supports the role of the coalitions as they collaborate with providers to develop and administer comprehensive early childhood programs that prepare young children to succeed in school and in life. Each early learning coalition is dedicated to ensuring ALL Florida’s children have access to high-quality early learning experiences. For more information about Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County, and their participation in the 3T’s campaign, visit http://aelcfl.org/#COALITIONS or www.elcslc.org.

The TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health develops, tests, and disseminates evidence-based, parent- and caregiver-directed interventions that promote children's cognitive, language, and social-emotional development. Through its outreach, the Center aims to influence the broader fields of health, education, and social services with a preventive, evidence-driven approach that focuses on the importance of the first three years of life. Learn more at www.tmwcenter.uchicago.edu.

Additionally, residents are encouraged and urged to join the new Parks & Recreation Facebook Group.

• The Saints Golf Course Facebook Page - @saintspsl
• The Saints Golf Course Instagram Page - @saintspsl
• Park & Recreation Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/605191680131691/

The City created the social media pages and the group to give residents another outlet to engage with the City of Port St. Lucie.

The Saints Facebook page offers residents specific information about the golf course, community events and tournaments, course updates and weekly golf tips. The Saints Instagram page is a platform to proudly demonstrate, in photos, the beauty of the facility and the course, recent renovations, course wildlife and more.

The Parks & Recreation Group, which was created as part of Parks & Recreation Month, is a way for the City to create a community of like-minded residents who will help start conversations about parks, fitness, recreation and other special events, and keep the conversations going. It also enables the City to build better relationships with members. Also, members will be constantly notified of any posts the City makes, keeping members' in the loop of department happenings.

Our nation is facing formidable obstacles in the fight against this global pandemic. Risky behavior could result in a backslide of restrictions. With so much at stake, we want to encourage you to maintain minimum safety standards and are asking for cooperation of courtesy. Let’s err on the side of caution. Social distance, wash your hands, sanitize, and wear a mask. In a time where many of us are feeling helpless, there is something you can do. Protect yourself, your family, your friends, and your co-workers. It doesn’t matter what you believe, or what you are fighting for, you’re doing it for others, not for yourself! Let’s stay open St. Lucie!

Disposable masks, cloth masks and sanitizer are in stock and available through the chamber. Click here.