The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Brian Fernandes

Transit survey offers Pasco residents a say

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Judy Geiger would like to see Trilby Road widened, to improve its safety.

The Dade City resident explained the need: “We have a number of bicyclists. The roads are not wide enough to accommodate them and the cars. If you get behind a set of (bicyclists), you’re stuck. It’s not safe.”

At a July 23 workshop, Rob Cursey, left, of Tindale Oliver, and Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley discuss the potential projects that may arise in the Mobility 2045 Transportation Plan. Pasco residents are encouraged to give their input during an online survey. (Brian Fernandes)

She was among those attending a recent workshop held by the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to gather community feedback and suggestions for its 2045 Transportation Plan.

The Pasco MPO is encouraging residents to partake in its current Mobility 2045 Transportation Survey to provide information it can consider in its future transportation planning. It held recent workshops in New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel and Dade City to promote the survey.

Geiger attended the workshop at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City. She had not yet taken the survey, but said she planned to do so and to point out her safety concerns.

Nancy Hazelwood, also of Dade City, attended the workshop, too. She said she doesn’t like the idea of expanding Blanton Road in Dade City. She thinks that would lead to more traffic and commercial development.

“We’re a rural community and we hope to stay a rural community,” she explained. “Zoning and land use should stay the same.”

At the Dade City workshop, Wally Blain, a senior project manager at Tindale Oliver, was among those present to field questions.

Tindale Oliver works with the MPO on various projects.

“The purpose of this survey is [to] review these needs, identify what’s a priority, and as we build a cost-affordable plan, we have a priority order,” Blain explained.

Potential economic impacts and job growth also are key factors in determining what projects may be implemented, Blain noted.

While the survey addresses projects that the county has had on its agenda for some time, it also took into account public feedback from the 2018 ‘It’s Time Pasco’ survey as well.

With more than 140 projects pinpointed on a map of Pasco County, those taking the survey can click on any given project, examine the details, react to the plan and offer comments.

Participants also can recommend projects they think are important, which the county can consider.

“Most of it are those community-based needs,” Blain said of the feedback. “We need sidewalks and mini-bike lanes, or we need better maintenance of roads.”

Blain also noted: “One key intersection that is focused on in the comments, is the State Road 54 and U.S. 41 interchange that FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) currently has a project funded for. It’s good to know that those things that are getting the most comments are the things that are actually in the pipeline first, to get done.”

The workshop also offered boards of schematics with aerial views of the projects reflected on the survey.

The visual displays helped Blain to show what the county would like to see occur in its long-term plans.

Schematics show where additional lighting, pedestrian overpasses and roundabouts could be implemented county-wide.

Added lanes are also a focal point of major roadways such as U.S. 19; state roads 52, 54 and 56; and Interstate 75.

According to the MPO, more than 1,100 miles of additional roadway lanes are needed by 2045, along with six major intersections and interchanges.

A five-year capital budget plan is being analyzed to see what funds are available in the near future.

Meanwhile, long-term allocations look bleak.

Roadway costs for the 2045 plan are estimated to exceed $7 billion. Available revenue falls far short of that.

The survey is open to the public until August 15 and can be found at CommunityRemarks.com/pascocounty/.

The Mobility 2045 Transportation plan is expected to be adopted in December.

Published July 31, 2019

Public input propels playground project forward

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The initiative to renovate the playground at John S. Burks Memorial Park in Dade City is pressing forward after the public had the opportunity to offer its input.

A session was held on July 10 at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, in Dade City, to solicit public input.

Recreation and Natural Resources Department a wealth of ideas to consider when redesigning the playground at John S. Burks Memorial Park in Dade City. (File)

Ideas presented – especially by youths – possibly will be implemented into the project, said Angela Fagan, of the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department.

Safety was a main topic of discussion, Fagan said.

Suggestions included installing a portion of the playground under existing trees for better shade, and using a soft rubber surface on the playground to prevent injuries.

Concerns were mentioned about issues with motorists driving too close to the playground, and people hanging out in the nearby woods engaging in questionable behavior, Fagan added.

Providing better access to the premise for those with limited mobility is another idea the county department intends to factor into its designing phase.

Fagan noted that project funding is coming through a general obligation bond supported by voters last November.

The county has $127,000 for this project.

The county also is seeking a state grant, which could raise available funding to $245,000, Fagan said.

The playground’s renovation is still set to begin in 2020.

Published July 31, 2019

Teen’s health struggle makes her a national voice

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When Mark and Kelly Dees of Land O’ Lakes decided to name their unborn daughter Hope, it was a sign of their unwavering optimism despite devastating news.

What was supposed to be an exciting reveal of their baby’s gender, soon became a moment of sadness after Hope was diagnosed with congenital heart defects.

Hope Dees, of Land O’ Lakes, sits next to her father, Mark, in the office of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in Washington D.C. The 13-year-old was among many youths who traveled to Capitol Hill to talk to lawmakers about policies to better help kids with health issues. (Courtesy of Amy Gall, BayCare Health System)

“We were told by the first doctor that she wouldn’t live to see her first birthday,” Kelly recalled.

But now, at age 13, Hope has far exceeded that grim diagnosis.

Not only has she undergone multiple operations, she also recently had the chance to make her voice heard by the nation’s lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Still, it hasn’t been an easy path.

A fighting chance
After hearing the initial troubling news about their daughter, the couple went to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, where a second diagnosis showed a brighter outcome.

Hope had a 92 percent success rate of survival, according to Dr. James Huhta, who still cares for her to this day.

She was born eight weeks premature with not only a weak heart, but a mild form of cerebral palsy, among other health complications.

At just 2 months old, she had her first open-heart surgery and spent several months recuperating at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Also, her esophagus did not connect to her stomach and had an abnormal connection to her trachea. This resulted in her being tube fed. Because of her complex situation, doctors waited until she weighed at least 4 pounds before performing corrective surgery.

Hope underwent two more heart surgeries, the second at 9 months old and the last at age 10. These were performed at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

She had other health concerns, too.

When Hope was 18 months, her parents noticed she was walking unusually.

Hope Dees, 13, stands alongside U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist while on a trip to Washington D.C. She and her parents spoke to Florida legislators about health care coverage for kids with medical needs.

Over the years, she has had to go through extensive physical therapy and orthopedic surgery on her left leg and foot.

“As she grows, the bone grows faster than the muscle,” Kelly explained. “The bone is growing and the tendon is pulling in because it’s not as long as the bone.”

Although Hope uses a leg brace for stability, she still may need another surgery.

Being in and out of hospitals all her life and getting to know medical staff, especially at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, has become routine for Hope.

“This has always been her normal,” Kelly said of her daughter. “For me, it’s nothing but gratitude for all that they’ve done for her over the years, and all they continue to do.”

Speaking aloud for action
BayCare Health System and the Children’s Hospital Association have been working in conjunction for years to bring kids with medical needs to Washington D.C., for the annual Family Advocacy Day.

Amy Gall is a regional communications coordinator for BayCare Health System and has become Hope’s friend.

“We’ve been bringing a family up to meet with the legislators every summer,” Gall said.

Because Kelly is an advocate for protecting Medicaid for kids, Gall knew that Hope would be the perfect candidate to go to Capitol Hill with her family from June 24 to June 27.

Like dozens of other youth from around the nation, Hope had the opportunity to meet with congressional representatives from their respective states, and perhaps help to influence policy.

At Capitol Hill, Hope had the chance to meet with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. Also present were U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Kathy Castor, Charlie Crist, Darren Soto, Ross Spano and Greg Steube.

Along with Hope, Mark and Kelly helped address concerns about stabilizing health coverage for kids.

“As they are adults, taking responsibility of their own health care, it’s important that they have the coverage that they need and the assistance that they need,” Kelly said, in an interview with The Laker/Lutz News, after the family traveled to Washington D.C.

She said she wants assurance that when kids like Hope become adults, that they are guaranteed coverage and not discriminated because of pre-existing conditions.

Hope is currently on Children’s Medical Services, which falls under the Medicaid program.

There is a premium to pay, based on income, but the program has been helpful, Kelly said.

However, she said, a child must reapply annually, or the coverage will lapse.

One year, Hope’s paperwork was late, and she was without coverage for a month.

Changing that system was a topic presented to Congress.

“Some families can’t afford to just abruptly lose their coverage,” Kelly added. “It’s important that they are able to continue to afford their own coverage or doctor visits. It’s not cheap.”

Kelly said the reception offered by the federal lawmakers was sincere, and they appeared to be willing to see what could be done to help kids like Hope.

Still pressing forward
Even after everything Hope has endured, she still views herself as an average teenager, her mom said.

When she has free time, she practices the piano and goes swimming. And as she prepares to enter eighth grade at Dr. John Long Middle School, she plans to sing soprano in the choir.

While she was visiting Rep. Ross Spano’s office, he showed the family a sign engraved with the words: “Never give up.”

Kelly said she’s inspired by the same mantra — and, she added, that her daughter, Hope, has taught her the true meaning of those words.

Published July 24, 2019

Under Construction

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Firestone Complete Auto Service
Motorists will have a new option for car maintenance with the opening of a new Firestone Complete Auto Service, at 25170 Maren Way in Land O’ Lakes. The shop, which is off State Road 54, will be equipped with seven service bays, as well as an indoor waiting area, along with an HD-TV and Wi-Fi service. The 6,116-square-foot building is set to open in late September and will provide 10 to 15 jobs.

Flying Squirrel Sports
Flying Squirrel Sports will bring new recreational activities for both adults and kids. The 40,000-square-foot structure will include indoor trampolines, dodge ball games, an arcade, pool tables, and a restaurant, among other amenities. The coming attraction will be housed in the Willow Bend Towne Centre, 22920 State Road 54 in Lutz. Construction is set to be completed in August, with an official opening date planned in September.

East Pasco Fleet-Transit Facility
Efforts are underway to build a facility to house county vehicles and buses at 9928 McKendree Road in San Antonio. The 31,427-square-foot station will include an area to wash buses, a refueling station and multiple bays for vehicle maintenance. Construction is expected to end by late 2019.

Heartland Dental Clinic
A Heartland Dental clinic is under construction in the Land O’ Lakes Connerton community at 20301 Pleasant Plains Parkway. The one-story office is 4,320 square feet and will hold 13 rooms. End of construction and grand opening are both set for September.

Curious about something new that’s popping up in your community? Please send us the location — along with the address, if possible — and we’ll see what we can find out. Send your email to .

San Antonio residents forced to ‘boil water’ to be safe

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Hundreds of San Antonio water customers woke up on July 11 to discover that their homes had little or no water pressure.

As soon as City Clerk Rick Alley became aware of the situation, he contacted the city’s public works director to look into the issue.

“I got a phone call at 4:08 a.m., on Thursday morning from a resident who said there was no (water) pressure,” Alley said.

(Brian Fernandes)

As the day went on,  San Antonio Mayor Mark B. Anderson began hearing from utilities’ customers expressing complaints about their water pressure.

Engineers found out that after a breaker had failed, one well pump did not turn on. A second well pump was working, but its valve didn’t open, preventing water from entering the city’s storage tank.

That presented a second potential problem: the possibility of debris in the water supply.

“Since there is less pressure in the pipes, there is a possibility that some contaminant could come back into the system,” Alley explained. “When the water is off for a while, when you lose pressure, it stirs up sediment in the pipes.”

Because of that possibility, the city issued boil water notices to residents, advising residents to boil their water before drinking or to use bottled water as an alternative.

Water pressure was restored to healthy levels on July 11, but studies showed that the pressure dropped again two days later.

An uninterruptible power supply back-up system has been installed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The issue affected about 700 customers. As of July 17, the boiled water notice had been lifted.

To receive San Antonio’s public alert notices in the future, email , or call (352) 588-2127.

Published July 24, 2019

State Road 56 Extension gives drivers another option

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Motorists heading through the county to or from East Pasco now have a new way to do it.

The State Road 56 Extension, which links Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel to U.S. 301 in Greater Zephyrhills, opened on July 10.

This view shows State Road 56, looking east from Meadow Pointe Boulevard, on a new 6-mile stretch of the road, linking Wesley Chapel to Zephyrhills. The road opened to the public on July 10. (Tyler Nathe, Aerial Photography Tampa, AerialPhotographyTampa.com)

Dignitaries and members of the media gathered for a preview of the road the day before it opened to the public.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley noted the significance of the new 6-mile stretch.

“It’s the first time in my lifetime that we’ve had a four-lane road from West Pasco all of the way to East Pasco,” Oakley said, noting the road closes a missing link between U.S. 301 on the east and U.S. 19 on the west.

“It’s an awesome day for the citizens of Pasco County,” added County Commissioner Mike Moore. “It’s going to bring a better quality of life for all of our citizens, and it’s going to bring opportunity to this area also.”

Moore noted the project wouldn’t have happened without the foresight of Will Weatherford, former Speaker of the House of the Florida House of Representatives, who secured funding to extend the road.

However, the state’s plans called for the extension to be a two-lane road.

Pasco County District 1 Commissioner Ron Oakley speaks about the project, during the media event held on July 9. (Christine Holtzman)

That was before the community of Zephyrhills rallied behind an effort to make it a four-lane road. They won the support of then State Rep. Danny Burgess and then State Rep. John Legg, who met with then Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold, who suggested the possibility of a state loan to pay for the second two lanes.

That plan came together through the collaboration of Pasco County officials, the City of Zephyrhills, private landowners and the contractor.

“This is really a monumental occasion,” said David Gwynn, District Seven secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation. “Although this is a DOT project, DOT was just one player in this.”

Now, the road is open, with signalized intersections at U.S. 301 and Morris Bridge Road, and features a multi-use trail, a sidewalk and bicycle lanes.

Melonie Monson, executive director of the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, anticipates the tourist and economic growth that the new State Road 56 extension will provide to Downtown Zephyrhills. (Christine Holtzman)

After the preview tour, Oakley headed to a county commissioner meeting, where he marveled at the new road.

“It is absolutely beautiful. If you can drive that road, you’ll see Old Florida because there’s never been a road through there before. You’ll see sights that you’ve never been able to see,” he said.

Of course, the view won’t last forever, Oakley said.

“See it now, because in 8 (years) to 10 years, that will change,” Oakley said, as new homes, new businesses and possibly a school are built in the area.

“A lot of growth will happen from this,” he said.

Milestones

  • Speaker of the House Will Weatherford announces private-public funding plan for extension of State Road 56 to U.S. 301: November 2013
  • Zephyrhills community pushes for four-lane extension, rather than a two-lane link, at town hall meeting with Rep. Danny Burgess and State Sen. John Legg: February 2015
  • State Rep. Danny Burgess and State Sen. John Legg meet with Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold, who offers the possibility of a state infrastructure loan: April 2015
  • Pasco Commission approves series of agreements with state, City of Zephyrhills and private landowners, clearing the way for the state loan: January 2016.
  • Road opens to public: July 2019

By Brian Fernandes and B.C. Manion

Published July 17, 2019

A car heads south down US 301, near the brand-new intersection with State Road 56 in Zephyrhills. The new extension of roadway provides a direct east and west connection between Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel. (Christine Holtzman)

Serving up free lunches for kids this summer

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School may be out — but Pasco County Schools takes part in a program that provides free lunches to hungry children.

The program serves meals at various cafeterias, and at some pick-up locations, too.

Eight-year-old Harper Greer, of Wesley Chapel, gives a high-five to Ana Santana. On this day, the young girl had lunch with her siblings. (Christine Holtzman)

Megan Sexton, the food program’s coordinator, said Pasco was one of the first counties in Florida to implement mobile feeding.

The idea was to provide youths with a well-rounded meal close to their homes, especially when food is lacking at home or parents are at work.

“Transportation is a huge issue, especially in Zephyrhills, Dade City and some of the rural areas,” Sexton explained. “With these mobile feeding buses, we’re able to go to these communities, stop, let the kids get on the bus and eat.”

The pick-up spots consist of libraries, churches, parks and outside residential communities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds this program, which had already served 136,000 meals to kids throughout Pasco County as of the first week of July.

Two-year-old Jack Greer, of Wesley Chapel, eagerly tries to open his carton of milk. The youngster and his siblings enjoyed lunch on a recent afternoon outside of the New River Branch Library.

With the help of mobile food buses, this number is only expected to grow.

Six high-mileage school buses that were initially going to be retired, were retrofitted with tables so youths can eat in an air-conditioned space.

However, as the program began to expand in number, six vans were added to help distribute food throughout the county.

The vans don’t offer air-conditioned seating, but there are portable seats and tables, which are shaded by umbrellas.

That’s the setup at the New River Branch Library, in Wesley Chapel, where children recently were taking a lunch break.

It’s a convenient location for Patricia Buskey, and her son, Parker, who live behind the library.

“He loves school lunch, so he wanted to come out,” the mother said, with a chuckle. “He’s been coming almost every day.”

Like other kids, the 7-year-old from New River Elementary had fresh fruit, vegetables, chips and a sandwich.

Patti Collard, of Wesley Chapel, right, watches as her 4-year-old daughter, Isabella, enjoys her lunch.

Children can be selective with their items, placing foods they don’t want in the ‘share bin’ for other kids.

Patricia is glad Parker can get his favorite treats, but she also sees it as an opportunity for less-fortunate children.

“It’s so helpful,” she said. “There’s a lot of kids who need it. I know a lot of kids aren’t eating three meals a day at home.”

The county’s school system has made strides to improve the promotion of its program. This includes sending home flyers with students and advertising the program through social media like Facebook.

The school system also has partnered with the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger organization to distribute flyers to the public.

Sexton views the program as a way to help impoverished families, without singling them out.

She recalled an instance where a young girl with tears in her eyes hugged her after realizing she didn’t have to worry about how she was going to get lunch for the day.

“It really touches your heart when you realize this goes on right around us every day, and some of us are just oblivious to it,” Sexton noted.

Efforts to get the word out about the program are apparently paying off.

New River Library has benefited from these efforts. This year, it’s serving 60 to 70 kids a day, compared to an average of 20 a day last year, Sexton said.

Still, there are some who find out about the program, while they’re out and about.

That was the case with Patti Collard and daughter, Isabella.

“Actually we were just here at the library getting some books and just happened to walk past,” said Patti, a Wesley Chapel resident. “This is perfect timing.”

The mother noted she was glad there was a healthy selection, as she watched 4-year-old Isabella enjoy her watermelon, grapes and milk.

The lunch program is free for anyone age 18 and younger, and requires no registration. And, it’s open to all youths, whether they attend Pasco schools or not.

That was great news for Christopher Privett, 16, who is home-schooled and comes to the library with his family.

“We’ve been doing it almost every day that we can attend,” Privett said.

He added that he’s not picky, and he does enjoy a free lunch.

Sexton also attributes the program’s success to cafeteria staff who volunteer to work additional hours during the summer.

“Our staff is amazing,” she stated. “They do this all year-long. They have such a passion for these kids.”

The program runs through July 31.

For a list of cafeterias, pick-up sites or food items, call (813) 794-2480, text ‘FoodFL’ to 877-877, or visit SummerFoodPasco.net.

Summer food program
Where: To find a convenient cafeteria or pick-up spot, call (813) 794-2480, text ‘FoodFL’ to 877-877, or visit SummerFoodPasco.net.
When: Monday through Friday until July 31; Times vary by location.
Details: Youth 18 years old and under are offered free summer lunches.

Published July 17, 2019

This guy ‘put out fires,’ literally

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Mark Spudie, a former battalion chief for Pasco County Fire Rescue, dedicated 30 years of his life in the work of fighting fires.

He hung up his gear on May 30 — walking the corridors of Wesley Chapel’s Fire Station 13 for the last time as part of the county’s team.

“I wasn’t ready to go,” Spudie said. “I would have worked a few more years if I could have, and mainly because of the people there.”

Battalion Chief Mark Spudie stands near a fire engine at Wesley Chapel’s Fire Station 13, where he served before recently wrapping up his 30-year career. (Courtesy of Mark Spudie)

He said his grandfather was a volunteer firefighter, but that didn’t spur him to dream about working in the field, while he was growing up in New York.

Indeed, it wasn’t until he had moved to Florida in 1984, and had worked in construction for five years, that he decided to pursue a career in firefighting.

He attributes the interest to a desire to find a line of work that was more stable than construction. A friend recommended he pursue firefighting.

So, in 1989, he joined Fire Station 19 in New Port Richey.

Over the years, he worked at stations in New Port Richey, the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes area, Hudson and, finally, in Wesley Chapel.

As he made his moves, he climbed through the ranks, taking on titles as driver engineer and lieutenant.

He also witnessed the county’s transformation over time.

“Back when I first started, there was very few structures out there on State Road 54,” Spudie said. “Now, it’s all commercialized and very populated.”

By 2001, he was serving at Lutz Station 23 where he spent the bulk of his career. And, like the rest, this station had a major positive impact on him, he noted.

He moved to the Lutz station during the same year as the Sept. 11 attacks.

While thousands of miles away from the devastation, Spudie said he felt a sense of “brotherhood” among all firefighters during the nation’s ordeal.

While local citizens had already been in the habit of swinging by the station to offer cookies, or a simple “thank you,” Spudie said the community’s support ramped up even more after 9/11.

“It gave the community a new appreciation on what we [do] on a regular basis — how you risk your life to save somebody else’s,” he said.

Spudie doesn’t view himself as a hero.

But, he acknowledged there were times during his career when he dealt with issues of life and death.

There are some calls he will never forget.

In one instance, he rushed into a burning building and pulled out a young boy, but despite those efforts, the boy passed away.

Part of the job meant being able to console victims, who are faced with the prospect of putting the pieces of their lives back together.

But, Spudie said he was glad to be part of a fire rescue community that found ways to respond quickly to community needs, and who enjoyed a sense of camaraderie with each other.

“I’m impressed with our guys and personnel because we’ve been doing so much with so little for so long,” Spudie said. “It is like a family after a while. You just get real close and look out for each other. It’s a bond you never lose.”

Like many seasoned firefighters, Spudie took advantage of the Deferred Retirement Option Plan after being promoted to battalion chief.

The program allowed him to work five additional years before retiring and this year marked the end of his service.

On his last day of duty, in fact, he joined dignitaries in the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new Station 13.

“It was very bittersweet,” Spudie said. “I knew the day I walked out that door, it was going to be totally different from then on.”

Published July 17, 2019

Under Construction

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Tractor Supply store coming
Construction is underway for a Tractor Supply store that will offer agricultural and home improvement supplies. It is located on the east side of North Dale Mabry Highway – south of its apex with Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. The 18,800-square-foot is near the Lutz Walmart Supercenter. Construction started in June and is expected to be completed by October.

Grace Family Church
Grace Family Church is renovating a plaza that once housed a K-Mart store at 22920 State Road 54 in Lutz. The roof, on the western end of the 48,000-square-foot building, will be raised 12 feet to accommodate the church sanctuary. Plans call for multiple classrooms, a café and a 3-foot baptism pool. The church is expected to open this August.

Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar
A Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar is under construction in the Cypress Creek Town Center at 25372 Sierra Center Blvd. The 10,438-square-foot restaurant, which will offer Louisiana-style cuisine, will be able to accommodate 325 patrons. A grand opening is planned for July 29. The restaurant is expected to have 180 employees, and applications are being accepted on site now. For more information, contact Gyorgy Tamcsu at (636) 259-0902 or .

Medical Office
A two-story medical office is expected to be completed in October at 27800 Summergate Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Project plans call for a medical and administrative office, clinics on both floors and a dialysis treatment center. Construction started in June. The dialysis center may open as soon as December.

Curious about something new that’s popping up in your community? Please send us the location — along with the address, if possible — and we’ll see what we can find out. Send your email to .

Compiled by Brian Fernandes

Editor’s Note:

Keeping you better informed
It’s obvious that growth is happening all around The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

It seems like every time you turn around ,there’s a new place to eat, to shop, to worship or have fun. Health care options are expanding, schools are being built and new employers are moving in.

And, as we travel through our region, it begs the question: What’s being built there?

Our new “Under Construction” column — debuting today — is our way to help satisfy your curiosity.

As we see new projects under construction in our community, we’ll share that with you through this column, or stories.

But, you can help, too. if you see something popping up in your neighborhood and you wonder what it is, please send us an email with the location — and address, if possible — and we’ll see what we can find out.

Please send your emails to .

B.C. Manion, editor of The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

Foundation helps foster kids develop ‘wings’

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As its name implies, Caterpillars to Butterflies is all about transformation — but this organization isn’t about insects — it’s all about helping Pasco County foster children to develop their “wings.”

After Guardian ad Litem children are placed within a foster home, Caterpillars to Butterflies, a Dade City nonprofit, sets about trying to discern the children’s desires and to help fulfill them.

It does this by working with the foster families, who seek to find out the child’s dreams and desires — and by helping the foster families find ways to fulfill them.

Under the Caterpillars to Butterflies program, foster kids not only get to go on fun adventures of their choosing, but they also participate in annual events where they create and showcase their own artwork. (Courtesy of Tracy Hanson)

It’s a way to help these youth have a more well-rounded childhood, explained Tracy Hanson, president and founder of the nonprofit foundation.

Hanson has been a Guardian ad Litem volunteer for the past five years – a position that inspired her to create Caterpillars to Butterflies.

As a volunteer, she has the opportunity to mentor and befriend kids who are taken out of unsuitable households. She also gets to advocate for their best interest within the judicial system.

However, the volunteer said, the outcome for many of these kids can be heart-wrenching.

“One thing I noticed in the court system is these children would be taken from their homes and CPI (Child Protective Investigations) hands them a garbage bag and says, ‘Put your life in this bag. Then we’re going to remove you from the only home you’ve ever known.’ That’s very defeating to these children,” Hanson said.

In response, she began providing the youths with duffel bags for more durability – and Caterpillars to Butterflies was born.

The idea is to give these children a chance to have experiences they enjoy, and to bring some joy into their lives.

The organization began in January 2018.

Caterpillars to Butterflies covers expenses that foster families incur, when helping the children take part in camps or other programs.

This summer, the foundation will be funding foster kids for sports camps, as well as karate, swimming and dance classes.

“We want them to see that we believe in them, that they can have dreams [and] we’re going to help them fulfill their dreams,” Hanson said.

The foundation gathers kids and their new families to Hanson’s farm for two main events each year: Easter and Christmas celebrations.

At those events, kids get to make and showcase their own art crafts to the public. They even get special visits from the Easter bunny and Santa.

Events, such as the Christmas program, raise money to support the kids’ adventures.

With no government assistance, the foundation relies solely on community support for monetary needs.

“We always need sponsors, we always need funding for these camps,” Hanson stated. “Every nickel that comes in, goes to these children.”

Hanson does speaking engagements to increase public awareness of the program and to raise money.

The organization also is a partner with the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, which enables it to reach out for help.

Hanson said Caterpillars to Butterflies understands that the foster parents often face financial constraints.

“The stipend that the government gives the foster parents is not enough to go beyond your basic food – maybe a little bit of clothing,” she said.

For instance, there was a case last December when seven youths were placed in homes that did not have adequate bedding.

The foundation stepped in and provided mattresses, sheet sets and comforters.

It also provides clothing and shoes, in some cases.

As a new school year approaches, efforts are underway to collect new backpacks for foster kids and to fill them with essential school supplies.

“It’s not just the children in the system that need the help, it’s the entire family,” Hanson explained.

Besides lessening the financial burden on foster parents, Caterpillars to Butterflies gives foster parents a chance to take a break and have some leisure time for themselves.

During Foster Parent Night Out, for instance, kids do crafts, and enjoy food and movies, while their parents get some time off.

Hanson and her staff’s long-term goal is to expand their program.

They’ve been using social media, such as Facebook, to get their name out, and Hanson is eyeing a vacant building across from her office, in hopes that she might one day use it for the program.

She sees possibilities.

With additional space, for instance, former foster kids who are now of legal age, could mentor current foster kids.

With more space, the program could offer cooking classes and provide an area that could be used for visitation time with their biological parents, and counseling services.

Hanson also would like to provide tutoring services for the children and to raise scholarship funds for them.

“So many of these children see no future, no hope, and the butterfly represents transformation,” she explained. “They can live a wonderful life. They can fly.”

To learn more about Caterpillars to Butterflies or offer a donation, visit Caterflies.org.

Published July 10, 2019