ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With the festivities around the St. Pete Grand Prix come a lot of food, but not all of it gets prepared and served.
That’s where Positive Impact St. Pete steps in. They’ll be taking the surplus food and getting it to those in need.
Executive Director Karen Rae said that before the partnership, much of the food her organization now collects would have been thrown away.
“It’s such a blessing to be able to take food that otherwise would go to waste and provide it to our neighbors who may not have food on their dinner tables if not for this partnership,” she said.
Rae said this is the third year they’ll collect the extra food and that they’ll be able to serve hundreds more families than they’re typically able to in the immediate days after the race.
Still, she hopes the community understands the need is constant.
“It’s one of our biggest weekends, but food insecurity affects families year-round,” she said. “So we are out here every single week, year-round, ensuring our neighbors have groceries.”
This is a relationship Rae hopes continues for many years to come.
The organization distributes food every weekend at Tangerine Plaza in St. Pete.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — With physical therapy you get out what you put in. Sonny Harriel, 75, doesn’t just tell his patients that, the physical therapy tech lives it in his career.
The average that Americans have worked at their current job is four years. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics that is the lowest tenure average in more than 20 years
Harriel says he has no plans to retire anytime soon
To see more Black History Month stories, click here
He has put in a significant amount of time during that career.
“I felt so good. I wouldn’t have thought that I would be in the hospital, or anywhere working for 50 years. But once I got 20 and 30, I said, that is it. I am not going anywhere,” said Sonny.
51 years now at BayCare’s Morton Plant Hospital, and it’s a place that has shaped his life in many ways.
Sonny Harriel has his own parking space at BayCare Morton Plant Hospital dedicated to his over 50 of service. (Spectrum News/Erin Murray)
Sonny even found love at the hospital.
“I said no for a couple of weeks, I kept saying, no, no, no. Then finally he kept being so insistent,” said Janice Harriel.
“It was it was 4:20, right outside the door at 4:20 we started talking,” said Sonny, who remembers the place and time he first talked to his now wife.
The pair married in 1991. Like Sonny, Janice has worked at the hospital a long, long time.
“This year is 45 years for me. From a child, to now 62 years old. This is my only place I have worked,” she said.
Janice smiles when she reminds everyone, she was born in this hospital, on the day former President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
For many African Americans, career longevity at one place of employment has proved more difficult. It is well documented that workforce challenges and discrimination have been a big part of history for Black Americans.
For Sonny and Janice, that was not the case. They both say it was the acceptance from their first day working at Morton Plant that played a role in both staying so long.
“Patients come up to us, they will come up to Sonny, and they will say you worked with me in therapy, and they will say, I remember you, you prayed for me,” said Janice. “And it’s such a good feeling, giving back to our patients in our community to let them know we love what we do here at Morton Plant hospital.”
Combined these lovebirds have worked 96 years for Morton Plant Hospital.
They don’t plan to retire soon either.
“People ask me, when do you retire? I told them they shredded my paper, so I don’t have retirement paper. That’s a trick I play on people, because I like having fun and I just enjoy working here and I don’t know anyone leave, right? No plans,” said Sonny. “As long as I can walk, I’m coming to work.”
Sonny is actually not the longest tenured employee at Morton Plant. A clinical nurse that started in 1973 has two years more on Sonny.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It was a Night to Shine at the St. Petersburg Coliseum Friday night. The Tim Tebow Foundation held its annual prom for people with special needs there for the third year.
What You Need To Know
The Tim Tebow Foundation held its annual Night to Shine on February 13 in St. Petersburg
It’s a prom-type event for people with special needs who are ages 14 and up
The coordinator said guests live with conditions ranging from learning disabilities to ambulatory impairments
Guests told Spectrum News they enjoy the event because they can let loose without feeling self-conscious
“Epic,” said Kimberly Nash, coordinator of the Pinellas County event, when asked to describe the night in one word. “It’s amazing, it’s beautiful, it’s fantastic. There’s not one word that can actually describe tonight.”
Nash said registration filled to capacity within an hour-and-a-half of opening, and this year’s waitlist was longer than the actual guest list.
Invitees arrived in limos and were greeted by a red carpet lined with volunteer “paparazzi.”
“This is my third year doing it, and I love it,” said volunteer Kim Heffner.
“You get to cheer them on, blow bubbles, give them high-fives,” said six-year-old Liv, another volunteer.
At one point, volunteers took part in an impromptu sing-along when one guest started singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by one of his favorite artists, John Denver.
“Seeing what they have to go through day by day, I mean, it’s just amazing to see everyone show up for them,” said Heffner.
Guests attending Night to Shine. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)
Connor Deeb and Ashunti Teasley Dorsey said they wouldn’t have missed this year’s event for the world. It was the second time attending for both of them.
“Honestly, I love it here,” said Deeb, 22. “It’s a great place to meet people, have some great music, dance.”
“We get to be ourselves without having to worry about judging and things like that,” said Dorsey, 25.
Dorsey told Spectrum News she has autism and chronic tic disorder. She said that means she makes movements that she can’t control.
“I remember waking up one day, and I thought I was just having chills until it started progressing worse and worse until I found out it’s tics,” she said. “Even though I struggle, I continue to move on and live my life like no other.”
Dorsey said tics aren’t something she has to be self-conscious of at Night to Shine, and that’s the point.
“It’s a night that we invite those with special needs, and we remind them that it is not their disability that defines them, it is Christ,” said Nash.
Nash said the 265 guests live with a range of conditions, from learning disabilities to ambulatory impairments. This night is about giving them and their plus-ones a chance to feel like royalty.
“Whether you leave here as an honored guest with a crown on your head and a smile on your face and probably some feet that hurt from all the dancing, or a parent who has seen your child celebrated and loved tonight, I think that everybody just leaves here with joy,” said Nash.
A Night to Shine is a worldwide event held in more than 700 locations. Nash said this is the third year Central Christian Church hosted the Pinellas event.
Nash said they hope to hold next year’s dance at the newly repaired Tropicana Field. If that works out, she said that they can expand to inviting 750 guests.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The spring tourism season has started in the Tampa area.
From Major League Baseball to college softball, fans and athletes heading to the diamonds are bringing with them welcome exposure and an economic boost to the Bay area.
While spring training for the MLB is already underway in Pinellas County for the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays, Clearwater kicked off the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational softball tournament at Eddie C. Moore Complex Thursday.
“Clearwater’s becoming the diamond capital of the county in the month of February,” said Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector. “Diamond sports, softball and baseball, so ESPN is broadcasting all 40 games on one of their various platforms.”
Rector is proud the national attention shines the spotlight on Clearwater.
“The road to the World Series starts in Clearwater,” said Brian Lowack, President and CEO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.
He says tickets to the tournament were sold through 47 states and three countries. Fans from across the country and around the world will cheer on 16 college softball teams — 10 of them ranked top 25 in the country.
“Tens of thousands are going to be here over the course of the next four days. That’s thousands of hotel room nights and ultimately leading towards over $10 million in economic impact,” Lowack said of the impact.
Lenny’s Restaurant feels that impact, reporting that business more than doubles this time of year. Loraine Bates has been a server at Lenny’s for more than 25 years and says the restaurant will be ready.
“It’s means we’re going to be fully staffed,” said Bates. “It’s going to be like a Sunday every day of the week. We’re all hyped for it, we’re all looking for it.”
Visitors working up an appetite while cheering on their favorite teams.
“If you’re hungry or hung over, come to Lenny’s. We’ll feed you and we’ll take care of you,” said Bates.
A host city taking care of fans while they take in Tampa Bay’s sunshine and beaches, whether it’s from the stands or while watching on TV.
The Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational runs Feb. 12-15.
Norris is now in the Guinness World Records as the first athlete with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman® triathlon with no guide
Norris documents his journey in his social media channels
Warming up before a run on a cold January morning, 22-year-old Norris and his Lakeland Runners Club training partners are at the starting line of a journey that almost seems impossible.
The workout is around beautiful Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland.
During a water break, Norris spoke about the challenge happening in November later this year.
The famed 7-7-7 is a multiday marathon with a total distance of more than 183 miles spanning the globe.
“What he’s planning on doing is just something I myself cannot even dream of being able to do,” said Mark Dailey, who trains Norris.
Dailey helped Norris with the bike ride portion of a triathlon.
Norris participated in the Arizona Ironman® recently.
It is the first he completed while signing his name in the Guinness World Records as the first athlete with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman® triathlon with no guide.
You can see part of Norris’ mission statement on his social media pages, to “get fit with Robert Man of Iron…this is all about mindset.”
He started training for all this extreme competition just two years ago.
He is not like other super athletes.
It is his super abilities that make him stand out.
Harry Araya also runs with Norris around Lake Hollingsworth prepping for the Great World Race.
“For him to go out and prove to everyone that he’s able to do it unguided, it’s just absolutely amazing,” Araya said. “It inspired me to do better at my events.”
They all have a simple message.
“It’s all about following your dreams, chasing your dreams, and realizing that you can do whatever you set out to do,” Dailey said.
Just taking Norris’ word for it to “stay fit, get outside, it’s a great day to go running,” and the impossible looks a lot more possible.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — After nearly three weeks, the World’s Largest Duck has left the city of Clearwater and is moving on to her next destination.
The city says Mama Duck’s stay brought in more than double the amount of people they usually see, with one of the biggest days being January 17 for the duck’s “birthday bash,” which brought in roughly 3,500 people.
What You Need To Know
So far this year, the city has made $23,931 in parking revenue
People from 46 countries accessed the city’s website so far in 2026
“We’ve had more people come to this park than we have since we did our grand reopening in 2023,” said Leanne Bell with the city of Clearwater. “We’ve had people come as far as Denver from what we’ve heard. They’ve flown and made a vacation out of seeing this duck, which is exactly what we were aiming to do.”
An analysis of the city’s preliminary parking revenue data revealed more than twice as many people visited Clearwater this January as compared to January 2025. So far this year, the city has made $23,931 in parking revenue, compared to $10,894 for the entire month of January last year.
Bell said web traffic also saw a significant spike because the live stream of Mama Duck was available on the city’s website. He said they received clicks to their live stream from people in 46 countries on at least four continents.
“This shows international impact and awareness of Clearwater and the destination at large,” said Bell, who added that downtown businesses reported an increase in sales in January, including some spots selling out their duck-themed specials.
Craig Samborski, who started taking Mama Duck around the country in 2014, said this was the first time he’s had a 3-week stay in any one city. He says he was surprised by how many people would come by on the average weekday.
“I was thinking…oh, like we’ll do 50-60 people a day but, its been much more than that,” he said.
There were no concerts or shows at the BayCare Sound during the nearly three-week event. Bell says that signals most people visiting the Coachman Park area were visiting Mama Duck.
A Durham artist sent off a group of Buddhist Monks from Raleigh by showing them a painting he did of their Walk For Peace.
Robert Mihaly said he first came across Buddhist monks with Walk For Peace as they were passing through North Carolina in High Point last week.
When he returned to Durham, he began working on a painting to show his gratitude.
“People would hand them flowers as they walk by,” Mihaly said. “That’s my territory; those instant moments of beauty.”
The monk’s travels through our state are part of a 2,000-mile procession from Texas to Washington, D.C. They have captured the attention of many North Carolinians along the way.
On Saturday, the Monks walked from Apex to Raleigh where they spoke to a crowd of thousands at the State Capitol. Meanwhile, Mihaly was putting the finishing touches on his painting in a cold studio space in Hillsborough. He was determined to show his appreciation for their journey before they reached their stop in Wake Forest Sunday.
Mihaly joined the crowd waiting along the monks’ route that morning despite the icy conditions.
“I brought my wet painting,” Mihaly said. “It was completely wet, you could just smear it like icing.”
Mihaly said the risk was worth it for the moment of recognition.
“I was really just hoping for a nod or a smile,” Mihaly said. “I would have been thrilled with that, but they just started smiling and laughing, and their eyes lit up. They came up one at a time and hugged me,”
The painting was too big for the monks to take the painting–but they took pictures with it and chatted with Mihaly. A clip of Mihaly, his painting and the monks was featured in a video on the Walk For Peace Facebook page thanking people who met them on day 92 of their trek.
“We are so deeply grateful. In the midst of such harsh weather, we felt the warmth of your hearts. Your presence, your kindness, your willingness to brave the cold to offer support—this touched us profoundly,” the post on Walk For Peace said.
Mihaly plans to display the painting at his next art sale on Friday in Hillsborough.
Mihaly said eventually someone will buy it, and he’s OK with that, knowing he can inspire others like the monks.
DUNEDIN, Fla. — The American Legion Veterans Technology Program helps veterans get the computers they need for school. It was created by Post 275 in Dunedin in 2021.
They’re currently providing, on average, a laptop a month to local veterans.
What You Need To Know
The American Legion Veterans Technology Program provides, on average, a laptop a month to local veterans
Luke Olson said the laptop has helped him as he pursues a degree in cybersecurity
The program was created to help veterans overcome the cost of buying a laptop
Army veteran Luke Olson is one of the recipients. He is a student at Kaiser University studying cybersecurity and married with two children.
With his major, he knew a good computer was essential, but the cost created a challenge.
“I tried to use a Chromebook, but it’s basically a web browser with a Gmail account,” he said. “I got a MacBook that I repaired, but it was on the older side as a 2014, and unfortunately, the software and the updates don’t come in anymore because it’s 11 years old.”
David Hahn said it’s these types of issues that led to his post creating the program.
They have a committee that goes through applications before choosing people like Olson.
“We’re really trying to identify those veterans and active-duty military members who really have something going on, where this is really going to bless their lives and make a difference,” Hahn said.
Hahn is happy they’re able to help veterans, and Olson is grateful for the program.
However, both said the cost of a computer is a roadblock for veterans across the country.
“I’m just one person, and I know if I have the problem, thousands of others in different schools across the country probably have the same problem where they have to get specific equipment for their major,” Olson said.
Spectrum News reached out to the Department of Veterans Affairs and asked about the options veterans have to purchase laptops.
They said, “Post 9-11 GI Bill beneficiaries receive a monthly housing allowance and an annual $1,000 stipend for books and supplies, which can be used at their discretion, including for the purchase of a laptop.”
The GI Bill currently covers tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, books and a supply stipend up to $1,000 a year for approved education.
The Christmas meal and the spirit of giving combined at community gatherings in across the Triangle where volunteers cooked and served the less fortunate.
At Raleigh’s Moore Square, a Christmas meal was served to all comers beginning at 11 a.m.
Alumni of Healing Transitions served a hot breakfast to the men and women working toward addiction recovery in Raleigh. They gave out bacon and eggs along with gifts of gloves, socks and hygiene items. At the men’s campus on Goode Street in Raleigh, volunteers cooked in a renovated kitchen and all gathered in a large dining area.
Alumni of Healing Transitions served a hot breakfast to the men and women working toward addiction recovery in Raleigh.
The Durham Rescue Mission’s annual Christmas celebration at the men’s shelter on East Main Street included breakfast and a gift giveaway.
Ahead of the holiday, the women and children at the mission’s Good Samaritan Inn campus enjoyed a Christmas Eve brunch, along with a religious service, gift distribution and a gingerbread house contest.
The Durham Rescue Mission public celebration, on Dec. 23, included a hot dinner and bags of toys for children, along with door prizes that includes bicycles and electronics.
Orlando comedian Kam Patterson joins the cast of Saturday Night LiveCredit: courtesy image
With a dramatic shakeup at the White House (and chronically chaotic news cycle) kicking off the year, 2025 was a turbulent one, to say the least. The desire to turn off the news, block political content on social media, and cozy up close to a loving pet, soothing cup of tea or a bottle of something stronger was real.
But politics and Trump’s return to the White House aside, Orlando Weekly staff also got the chance to report some genuinely heartening stories this year. This holiday season, as we’re mulling over the events of the last year, we wanted to share some of those with you.
Through a partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, Orange County government managed to relieve a total $515 million in medical debt held by more than 300,000 local residents. The county announced an initial round of $472.5 million in debt relief back in May, and the second round of $42.9 million in relief was announced in late October. The medical debt relief initiative was funded by a small portion of COVID relief funds distributed under the Biden administration. It was made possible through buying up debt for pennies on the dollar from local hospital systems and third-party collection agencies. No one formally had to apply for the program — instead, Undue Medical Debt worked with hospitals and collection agencies to identify and purchase the debt. Each dollar invested erases about $100 of medical debt, according to the nonprofit. Undue Medical Debt has partnered with more than two dozen other local state governments across the U.S.
Eight-year-old actress and Orlando native Scarlett Spears did her community proud in her big-screen debut in the highly anticipated sequel Wicked: For Good this November. In the film, Spears plays the young version of Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Luckily, Spears, who is in the third grade and homeschooled, had seen the first Wicked; she had also seen the original 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. At first, she didn’t understand why the movie started in black and white. “I asked my mom, and she said, ‘You’ll see, just wait,’” Spears says. “Then I got to see the colors. It was so beautiful. I wish I could go there myself.” And dear readers, she did!
Orlando joined Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami, St. Petersburg, Tampa and Wilton Manors this year in receiving a 100% score in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual report evaluating cities on how inclusive their municipal laws, policies, and services are. The Human Rights Campaign is one of the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights groups in the nation. “With federal and state governments too often leaving LGBTQ+ people behind, cities and towns are stepping up and embracing inclusion and equality,” said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign.
Yes, we’ll say it: Bleeding monthly, and having to shield that from the rest of the world because of social norms is mentally, physically and financially expensive. The Wall Street Journal reported last year that the cost of period products, specifically pads and tampons, was rising faster than food prices. (You thought egg-flation was bad.) The good news is that Orlando now has three “period pantries,” offering anyone in need free tampons, pads and related menstrual products. You can find one sponsored by Stand With Abortion Now outside Orlando’s abortion clinic (the Orlando Women’s Clinic in SoDo), another one outside State Rep. Anna Eskamani’s office in Lake Eola Heights — created by high schooler Boey Cho — plus another of Cho’s located in the Mills 50 thrift store Out of the Closet.
Orange County officials are working on a modest film tax incentive program that would be funded by a sliver of the county’s pot of tourist development tax (TDT) revenue. The goal is to revive the local film industry in Orange County, promote good jobs for film industry professionals, and promote visitation to Orange County through film. A half-dozen other municipalities in Florida similarly have their own film incentive programs, generally supported by labor unions that represent industry professionals. Orange County’s program will offer up to a 20 percent rebate with a cap of $1 million for film and TV productions that spend at least $400,000 locally — on local labor, catering, hotel rooms, equipment and other production-related expenses. It will also offer up to a 10 percent rebate for TV commercial productions — capped at $50,000 — that spend at least $250,000 locally. The rebate is only provided following completion of the project, and applicants must apply for the rebate and be approved. The program is kicking off with an annual financial commitment of $5 million over the next five years.
West Orlando comedian Kameron Patterson was tapped by NBC this year to join the cast of Saturday Night Live, the long-running sketch comedy show. Patterson, 26, made his debut Oct. 4 on the show’s Season 51 premiere, along with four other new cast members: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall and Veronika Slowikowska. Patterson got his start on the stage of Orlando’s Night Shade Lounge, where Wilberto Miller hosted a weekly comedy night, All Jokes Aside. Patterson worked the Orlando open mic scene religiously until he moved to Austin in 2023, forging a path to national recognition when he became a regular that year on the “Kill Tony” podcast and started touring with comedian Tony Hinchcliffe.
Orlando-based runner Simran Chugani did the community proud this year by using their participation in New York City’s annual marathon to raise funds for gender-affirming care for transgender folks. Chugani (they/them) set up a fundraiser for the run with Point of Pride, a trans-led organization that provides direct support and financial assistance to transgender people. Florida lawmakers in 2023 banned gender-affirming treatments for minors under 18 (even with parental consent) and restricted access to gender-affirming care for adults. Chugani, an Orlando transplant who now calls Florida their “forever home,” set a goal of raising at least $5,000 this year to increase access to gender-affirming care for adults, specifically. They ultimately surpassed their goal, raising $5,415 total.
Inspired by Orlando’s battle with the state over the formerly rainbow-painted Pulse memorial crosswalk, Se7en Bites owner Trina Gregory launched Parking Spaces for Pride: A Rainbow Connection. Through this community project, Gregory opened up 49 of her restaurant’s private parking spaces to local artists who were invited to transform the pavement into colorful art installations. The “49″ was a direct reference to the 49 people killed during the 2016 mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub. Gregory emphasized the celebration was not a memorial to the Pulse tragedy, but was inspired by the Florida Department of Transportation’s decision to paint over the rainbow colors of the crosswalk outside of Pulse. According to Gregory, the spots will be repainted every other year. “This isn’t just about paint — it’s about community, visibility and love,” she said in a social media post.
Over the summer, the city of Orlando partnered with the nonprofit Christian Service Center to provide overnight shelter and accommodations to a rotating group of homeless people through a city-funded program involving retrofitted Greyhound buses. Modeled after a program in Vero Beach, the Dignity Bus offers no-cost shelter for up to 42 people per night on two Greyhound buses the city purchased and rehabbed for $175,000 each. The buses offer individual sleeping pods with a mattress, sheets, a light, a charging outlet and a curtain for privacy. They also contain a restroom and have air conditioning. Orlando has an estimated housing shortage of nearly 9,400 units, and at least a couple hundred people are left without shelter each night.
A new drop-in day center offering basic amenities like showers, laundry, computers and case management for homeless youth and young adults opened in Pine Hills this spring, just a few miles west of downtown Orlando. The day center is operated by Service and Love Together (SALT) Outreach, another Christian-led social services nonprofit. The new drop-in center is designated for young adults aged 16 to 24. At this point, it’s funded primarily through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, awarded under the Biden administration.
After roughly a year of contract talks and several rallies to publicize workers’ demands, hundreds of hotel workers at Hilton’s Buena Vista Palace and DoubleTree Universal hotel got a new union contract providing stronger job protections as well as immediate pay raises. The workers at those two hotels — including housekeepers, bartenders, cooks, room service waiters and others — are represented by UNITE HERE Local 737, a hospitality union that also represents about 18,000 workers at Disney World. Pay rates under the new contract went up immediately, according to the union. The union also managed to negotiate more affordable healthcare, a dental plan mostly paid for by the employer for the first time, job protections for immigrant workers, and 20 percent automatic gratuities on all guest checks for servers and bartenders.
The city of Winter Park formally purchased the Winter Park Playhouse’s space at 711 N. Orange Ave. this year, after receiving grant funds through Orange County’s collection of TDT revenue. The nonprofit professional musical theater has called the spot home for the past 23 years, but their future came into question in February 2023, when the building’s owners decided to sell the property. To preserve the nonprofit’s place in the community, the city of Winter Park partnered with the theater to apply for TDT funds, citing the $1.9 million economic impact and 30,000 guests it attracts each year. Winter Park was in turn allotted $8 million by Orange County to purchase and renovate the space.
Public works and utility workers in Titusville, a comfortable neighbor of Orlando, launched an effort this year to rebuild a union, following the state’s dissolution of their previous one. A state law passed in 2023 made it easier for the state to decertify, or essentially dissolve, labor unions in Florida’s public sector, and with that, workers’ union contracts that provided workplace safety protections, guaranteed wage increases and job security. In Titusville, the city’s blue-collar workers were previously represented by the Laborers International Union of North America. Now they’re reorganizing with the Orlando-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 606. “Every person that works for a company deserves the right to have representation,” union official Todd Provost told Orlando Weekly. “I don’t care if it’s a Disney cast member, if it’s a construction worker, if it’s a public employee. Everyone deserves the right to be represented by somebody to fight for them.”
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FLORIDA — As we get closer to the end of the year, we look back at a year that brought happy times for some, but major struggles for even more. These stories are of those who found the strength to overcome adversity often make the most inspiring impression.
Spectrum News catches up with some of the incredible individuals who taught us all a little bit about the best of humanity in 2025.
Finding Your Passion
— Apopka, FL —
In the middle of February, Delia Miller shared her journey of finding her passions and purpose. Combining her love of art, concern for the environment, and newfound passion for aviation, she has turned all of this into an inspiring project.
Her journey began with an opportunity to paint a mural in her hometown. Her path took a turn in an airport bathroom where she met a young, Black, female airline captain. The encounter spurred Miller to pursue aviation as a career path.
In September, young Gracelynn “Gracie” Decelles shared her story with us. Two years ago, the now 8-year-old girl began selling eggs from her family’s chickens at a small stand outside her home. The proceeds of those sales went toward the purchase of hundreds of backpacks for children in need.
TAMPA, Fla. — As you walk into the East Tampa Boxing Gym, you walk under a sign that reads, “It Is Better To Bleed In The Gym, Than In The Street.”
What You Need To Know
Odeon Esson launched East Tampa Boxing Gym almost 10 years ago
He’s there every Monday through Saturday offering boxing lessons to kids as young as six
Esson’s bigger goal is to teach the kids life lessons and help them “be somebody”
Esson, a former boxer himself, is joined by a handful of coaches helping in his effort
It’s one of the many mantras of owner Odeon Esson, for his boxing facility off East Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa.
“You’re in East Tampa. It’s rough over here, you know,” Esson said. “Out there in the street, you might not come back from it. But in here, you got a chance.”
Esson gives children as young as six years old the chance to come boxing at his gym Monday through Saturday nights.
It’s a three-hour boxing practice where the lessons are more about lifestyle than about left hooks and right jabs.
“Help these kids — a lot of these kids in this neighborhood — become somebody,” said Esson, talking about his goal for the gym. “Let them know, ‘You have a dream, you can do it. Whatever you set your mind to, you can do it.’”
Hanging on the walls of the gym are signs that reinforce those life lessons:
“If You Can Accept Losing, You Can’t Win”
“Life Has Got To Be Lived”
“Winners Are Simply Willing To Do What Losers Are Not”
And those lessons on the wall are clearly making their way to the intended audience.
On a Tuesday night, the gym is packed. A mixture of elementary, middle and high school students jump rope, do push-ups, spar with a coach, pummel a punching bag, practice punching combinations and even get into the ring to face off against Esson himself.
“Things that you learn in here, teach you things in the real world,” said Vince Clavizzao, a friend from Esson’s boxing days who he recruited to coach here.
When the young boxers were asked what they learned by coming to East Tampa Boxing Gym, responses varied from heartfelt to real skills.
Some young people there that night cited boxing strategy and technique. Fifth grader Cody Amos said he’s learned “you have to punch to win.” Sixth grader Jayden Gilbert said Esson had taught him “how to jab” and get his stance right.
But Gilbert also said his nightly trips to the gym taught him “not to give up.” Fifth grader Pedro Ruiz said the gym helped him learn to “stay focused.” Third grader Alantis Howard, the only female boxer we met at the gym, said the practices had instilled in her the idea that “you have to work hard to get rewarded.”
Esson launched this place nearly a decade ago, and he has no plans to stop. For Esson, teaching life lessons — and boxing — will continue.
“They could have been doing anything else. They could have been caught up in the street. But they’re here. They’re in a safe place. They’re here,” Esson said.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Pinellas County military family has dedicated their lives to service.
The family patriarch, a World War II U.S. Navy veteran living at a Bay Pines VA assisted living facility, inspired his family to give back.
What You Need To Know
Mr. Harlan Springer served in World War II in the U.S. Navy
He now lives at the Bay Pines VA Community Living Center
He has inspired multiple generations of his family to give back and serve other veterans like him at Bay Pines
At 99 years old, Mr. Harlan Springer has lived a remarkable life.
“I’m thankful for being here because I never expected to live this long,” said Springer.
Like many of his greatest generation peers, they have many remarkable stories to tell.
Springer recalled when he enlisted in the Navy during the war, and it was him “having two brothers and a friend in there” that was not about to keep him home.
The Veterans Health Administration produced a video of Springer documenting time in service.
Springer was stationed on a destroyer vessel of a carrier fleet in the Pacific theatre of the war. Now, he lives at the Bay Pines VA Community Living Center in St. Petersburg.
Spectrum Bay News 9 sat down with Springer to learn more about his life story and legacy, like the remarkable date he joined the war.
“You see, it was June the sixth of 1944, and many years later I found out it was D-Day,” said Springer.
Stories like Springer’s inspired generations after him, especially hitting closer to home.
Chelbie Harrison is Springer’s great-granddaughter, and helped push Springer in his wheelchair around the facility for his daily stroll.
“It’s very often, his name will pop up on the screen, and then my great-grandpa is ready to be picked up,” said Harrison.
Harrison works at Bay Pines VA as a nursing assistant.
“I get to see how his day is going and get to tell him about mine,” she said. “And I get to tell him about the newest things happening with his great-great-grands, who he always enjoys hearing about, right, Grandpa?”
“Oh, yes!” responded Springer excitedly.
While Cole Long, Harrison’s brother or Springer’s great grandson, is also making the rounds at Bay Pines as a registered nurse.
Their mom, Christine Long or Springer’s granddaughter, also works at Bay Pines VA.
Every year she works to organize and participates in the Adopt-a-Veteran program.
Over the years the combined family has supported hundreds of military families to celebrate the holiday season.
All three family members are immensely proud of the service they provide, and said they are inspired by their remarkable grandfather and his friends at the VA.
“I take pride in being able to give back and take care of the veterans who took care of us and fought with their lives to have our freedoms,” said Harrison.
“They’ve been through a lot so it’s nice to give back to them,” said Cole. “It’s rewarding.”
As for Springer, it is another Christmas he is celebrating and even crafting gifts for the youngest of the generations, his great-great-grandkids.
And he is looking forward to another milestone for the holidays.
“You know I’m 99 and I understand I got a one percent chance to make it to 100…so statistically,” he said. “But I’m going to do it, I’ve decided.”
He has had 99 remarkable years and now one big reason to be thankful this holiday season.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — People in the Tampa Bay area have a new way to donate to charity.
Outside Crumbl Cookies at the Clearwater Mall there are vending machines with charitable items called “Light the World Giving Machine.”
All purchases are actually donations that will help local and global charities.
What You Need To Know
“Light the World Giving Machine” is in the Tampa Bay area for the first time
The machines work like vending machines, but instead of buying snack you make a donation to charity
Donations can be school supplies, food, bedding or even a baby goat
100% of the donations goes to the participating charities
Members of the Steed family were the first to use the giving machines.
“This is our chance to give back at a local level and at a global level. And what’s great about it as well is that these donations go 100% to these charitable organizations,” said Garret Steed, owner of the Crumbl Cookies Clearwater franchise.
The Giving Machine is like a vending machine. They’re placed at businesses, like the Steed’s Crumbl Cookies store. But instead of buying a snack, people can pick an item to donate to a charity.
The Steeds donated one of everything in the machine.
“I think that this is a very tangible way our kids can see, like, oh, we’re giving a goat, we’re giving a sewing kit for someone to start a business, or we’re giving a dental hygiene kit,” said Kylie Steed.
The initiative supports five local charities, including Metropolitan Ministries, Premier Community Healthcare, The Spring of Tampa Bay, Casa Pinellas and the Shepherd Center of Tarpon Springs.
VP of Metropolitan Ministries communications Justine Burke said donations will help them supply food and holiday gifts for people in need.
“The need is significant this year … since the hurricanes last year, people are struggling still. Affordability, affording that rent, affording food, affording just all those extra things in life,” said Burke.
All the donations go directly to the charity selected at the machine. The operating cost is covered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
“It feels really good to give back to the community. There’s a scripture that says: ‘where much is given, much is required.’ We’ve been given so much that it’s really a nice opportunity for all of us to be able to give back and help those that are less fortunate,” said Sarah Watson, Site Director for Giving Machine Tampa.
The Giving Machine will be in Clearwater until Jan. 3, 2026.
They operate at all hours.
Since 2017, The Giving Machine has raised more than $50 million around the world, providing hundreds of thousands of items and services to people in need.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A free medical clinic in Clearwater is celebrating a major milestone: 30 years of providing care to community members with little to no health insurance — a mission that nearly came to an end just two years ago.
La Clinica Guadalupana marked the anniversary with a day filled with faith, culture and celebration, coinciding with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a sacred Catholic holy day.
Mariachi music, prayer, and gratitude filled the clinic as staff, volunteers, and patients reflected on three decades of service.
What You Need To Know
La Clinica Guadalupana, a free Clearwater clinic, celebrates 30 years after a last-minute partnership saved it from closing
The clinic sees more than 2,000 patients each year, offering primary care and preventative services to people who might otherwise delay or forgo treatment
Despite its long history, the clinic’s future was uncertain, with rising overhead costs putting La Clinica Guadalupana at risk of shutting down
Catholic Charities stepped in, making La Clinica Guadalupana the fourth free medical clinic within the Diocese of St. Petersburg
Monse Mangual, one of the clinic’s first nurses, helped open La Clinica Guadalupana in 1995 and said the work has always been about service.
“It was amazing. I love to help people and I always say that I came here to serve,” Mangual said.
All medical providers at La Clinica Guadalupana volunteer their services. The clinic sees more than 2,000 patients each year, offering primary care and preventative services to people who might otherwise delay or forgo treatment.
Celebrating 30 yrs. of La Clinica Guadalupana — on Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, sacred day symbolizing protection, hope, and unity for millions of Catholics. #CatholicCharities stepped in, to ensure free clinic stays open.⁰Powerful day of Mass, mariachi, and community. pic.twitter.com/45WNbwxdW3
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Hundreds of people fell just short of smashing a Guinness World Record in Pinellas County on Sunday, but helping kids in need was the real motivation.
Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson hosted its ninth annual motorcycle toy run on a mission to break the record for being the largest ever, which was set in 2014 in the United Kingdom.
What You Need To Know
1,200 people participated in Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson ninth annual motorcycle run
More than 2,000 toys were collected and will be donated to Lealman Fire District to be distributed to kids in need
Participants were hopeful to break the Guinness World Record for the largest motorcycle toy run, but were short on toys
Thousands of dollars were also raised to support veterans and first responders
1,200 motorcycles took part in the massive event.
Donna Henry brought lots of holiday cheer with her festive attire and motorcycle decked out in tinsel and lights.
“This is decorated more than our house is,” Henry said about her motorcycle. “Biggest turnout I’ve ever been to and I’ve been doing these for quite some time.”
The riders brought more than 2,000 toys to be donated to Lealman Fire Rescue. They will get them to kids in need. It’s the most toys this motorcycle run has ever collected.
To break the record, all the toys had to stay strapped down to the motorcycles for the entirety of the ride across Pinellas County. The ride was roughly 15 miles, and it took about two hours to complete.
“It makes this year even more special because not only with our ninth annual, but it’s a chance to really hit something big for the whole world. For the USA to get a world record for giving toys to kids, what a cool thing, it’s the greatest,” said Bert King, owner of Bert’s Barracuda Harley Davidson.
They’ve gotten close to the record over the years, but this is the first time a Guinness adjudicator was there to take down the official count of participants and toys.
“I’d love to be where the kids are when they get these gifts. I’d love to see the smiles on their faces, that means a lot to me,” Henry said.
They were short 49 toys to break the Guinness record.
They also raised more than $17,000 for Bert’s Barracuda Charity, which supports veterans and first responders.
LECANTO, Fla. — Lecanto High School faculty and students had a very special guest on Friday — alumni and actor, Miles Teller.
What You Need To Know
Actor and Lecanto High School alumni Miles Teller returned to his hometown Friday for a special assembly with students
Lecanto High School announced the dedication of the Miles Teller Theatre at the Curtis Peterson Auditorium Friday
Teller and his wife — Keleigh Teller — presented a check during the assembly, donating $50,000 to the Citrus County Education Foundation
Teller’s visit celebrates the 20th anniversary of his high school graduation and honors the venue where he first began his acting career
In a packed auditorium at Lecanto High School, the current crop of Panthers students welcome Teller home.
Teller returned to his alma mater for a student assembly to celebrate the naming of the school’s theater in his own name.
“I guess it was nice to know I’m still popular with the youth,” Teller said.
Teller walked out to thundering applause on the very stage he once performed on as a student at Lecanto High School. And now, 20 years later, it has been named in his honor.
“I was just in the dressing room earlier tonight and I was having all of these memories,” said Teller, who graduated in 2005. “I mean, that’s where I got ready to go on and perform. So, you think actors come from maybe certain drama high schools that have performing arts schools that have a lot of money put in the program. We just did it based on passion.”
It’s that passion that drove Teller to pursue acting. Having starred in his high school’s rendition of “Footloose” where he played Willard Hewitt.
It was a role he wold also play on the silver screen. To recognize Teller and his achievements, Lecanto High School announced the dedication of the Miles Teller Theatre at the Curtis Peterson Auditorium.
“From now on, anyone who performs on this stage can begin dreaming their own dreams and may become the next Hollywood superstar,” said Dr. Scott Hebert, superintendent of Citrus County Schools.
And that’s not all. Teller and his wife — Keleigh Teller — presented a $50,000 donation to the Citrus County Education Foundation during the assembly.
“There’s kids that are going to high school here that are truly homeless that are living in the woods who were abandoned by their parents,” Teller said. “It’s a horrible circumstance, bad hand to be dealt. And so any time I think you can help people that are underprivileged, everybody should have a right to an education and clean clothes and food.”
PARRISH, Fla. –– A group of high school seniors in Manatee County started a club three years ago where the requirement for membership is to invite a grandma and love on them.
Sandy Angilly moved to Florida after retirement and needed to meet new friends
Sandy’s granddaughter Mia decided to form a school club to help other grandmas connect with friendships
The Parrish High School Grandma Club has grown and is connecting a multigenerational group of women
Sandy Angilly is excited this holiday season to be decorating with a group of multigenerational friends.
As she was crafting an ornament, she said it is a “great experience for someone at my age looking to be taking on something this new.”
She is referring to her new social club.
Sandy moved to Florida from Rhode Island in 2022.
She is a retired nurse who cared for cancer patients and is no stranger to challenging moments.
“Everyone would say, ‘well how could you do that?” she recounted. “Well because maybe you could brighten somebody’s day who is going through a terrible time.”
Mia Polseno is a senior at Parrish Community High School in Manatee County.
With graduation months away, students need to complete community service and other requirements to be eligible for scholarships and other awards. But this requirement is not just a task to check off.
If you listen closely to Mia, she takes after her grandma, Sandy.
“It’s a lot more than just signing off the hours on paper and turning it into the office,” said Mia. “We wanted to do something that we could see make a difference because it brightens our day.”
To create a social network for Sandy as a new Floridian, Mia and a group of her friends created the Grandma Club in 2022.
“I hadn’t had to think about how to make friends in a long time,” said Sandy.
From making Christmas cookies to crafting decorations, the club does more than just bring the ladies together. The ladies meet new friends and spend time with other young women once a month in different social settings.
Other events include making floral arrangements, pottery painting, bracelet making, etc.
“You know what, sometimes it’s good to be put outside of your comfort zone,” said Sandy.
What Mia did not realize is how many other women in the community would appreciate a club like this, such as 92-year-old Marion Balancia.
The high school girls often pick up Marion and give her a ride to the events, which take place once a month.
“It’s nice seeing our acts of kindness like trickle down to areas and people reaching out help us,” said Mia.
Mia is referring to the support the club has received from other organizations and businesses. One of them is the Parrish Fire Department which provides the community room at the fire station where meetings happen.
For Sandy, the time spent in her new social club has translated to new friends. But most importantly, Sandy has shared more time with her granddaughter Mia.
“It’s a wonderful experience all those generations melding together, you know,” she said. “The kids are great.”
Remis is focusing on rebirth as she continues a 26-year recovery journey.
“When those steel doors closed in on me in prison, that was like an aha awakening for me that life has to change,” said Remis. “I need to do something different, this is not working out for me.”
Remis was in and out of the Hillsborough County Jail and served a year in state prison on a felony charge.
She says she turned to drugs after the deaths of several relatives and surviving sexual assault.
“(I was) using substances to cope with life and became a very unhealthy individual and did some very unhealthy things,” said Remis.
She got healthy, got clean behind bars and started concentrating on therapy and healing.
“There was a time that I would never anticipate that I would have or own a spa,” said Remis.
This entrepreneur has beat the odds. Just 1.5% of U.S. small business owners have a felony record, that’s according to RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization.
Allie Markham and Abe Brown Ministries serve up to 350 clients coming out of incarceration. Their job placement program InspHire helps employ people with a history of criminal charges.
“Breaking down those barriers is a challenge, trying to get employment, housing, a lot don’t even have credit when they come out, so establishing all of that takes time,” said Markham, who is the program manager.
Time and faith are what Remis has relied on.
She hopes to help others find their best selves, and she’s getting used to being called an entrepreneur.
“I’m just really filled with a lot of gratitude today, you know, because life could have been really different for me,” said Remis.
Grateful for a new beginning in her new spa and safe haven.
TAMPA, Fla. — This Thanksgiving, dozens of adults with disabilities are thankful for newfound purpose after a Tampa nonprofit just opened its fifth coffee shop uniting people.
What You Need To Know
Coffee Uniting People (CUP) provides jobs for adults with disabilities across Tampa
CUP says 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed, but not unemployable. That’s why they’ve opened five coffee shops around the area
Tampa General’s Outpatient Center in Brandon serves as the newest CUP location
It all starts with freshly ground beans, but there’s something special about every cup of coffee from Tampa-based Coffee Uniting People (CUP).
“It’s going to be strong coffee. It’ll wake you up,” said Justin Scarle, who has worked for CUP for five months.
The group, launched by a local attorney and his wife, opened its newest location at Tampa General’s Outpatient Center in Brandon last week.
CUP employs adults with disabilities and gives them so much more than just a paycheck.
“Statistics show that about 80% of the folks are unemployed, but not unemployable. We started CUP to address that issue here in Tampa and here we are five coffee shops later,” said founder Greg Jones.
Alli Schulte, 22, just started working for CUP. She and Scarle are two of more than 60 currently employed by the 501 (c)(3).
At $14 an hour, Jones says they have a waitlist in the triple digits. So far, Tampa General is loving its new blend of caffeine and care.
“Honestly, it’s been really, really rewarding. A lot of their team members have faced a lot of adversity throughout their life. But the amazing thing is their outlook on life. They have this positive outlook, they’re always smiling, they’re always in a good mood, and that kind of outlook is really infectious,” said Marion Dawkins, senior vice president of ambulatory operations.
A bug they don’t mind spreading all across the hospital.
“If you wake up in the morning and you’re feeling really tired, there’s a cup that can fulfill your needs,” Scarle said.
