Liquor Depot raises $18K for Alstott foundation
TAMPA – Liquor Depot raised a record $18,000 for the Mike Alstott Family Foundation through its annual charity barrel fundraiser Oct. 3.
The Tampa retailer sold bottles from a Penelope Havana 114-proof single barrel for $140.40 each at its Waters Avenue location. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Mike Alstott attended the event to sign bottles and take photos with customers.
Liquor Depot owner Trey Lawson said customers began lining up at midnight and the bottles sold out quickly.
Lawson launched the fundraiser in 2021. Liquor Depot has donated more than $78,000 to the Mike Alstott Family Foundation through five charity barrel fundraisers.
The foundation supports children and families through assistance programs, events and other initiatives.
On the web: liquordepottampa.com
Pasco launches recovery program for small businesses
PASCO COUNTY – Pasco County has launched a recovery program to assist small businesses and nonprofits affected by hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton.
The Small Business & Non-Profit Recovery Program is part of the county’s Better Future initiative and may provide assistance for storefront and signage repairs, damaged equipment, inventory, operating costs, workforce development and business relocation.
Nearly $25 million has been earmarked for the program.
The county’s Better Future recovery programs are supported by nearly $586 million in federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Pasco County held a virtual workshop Sept. 30 to explain eligibility and program benefits.
Learn more at mypas.co/BetterFuture.
Hope Services holds fundraiser at training center
HUDSON – Hope Services held a Smash for Cash fundraiser Sept. 30 at its newly acquired facility at 6901 State Road 52.
The event marked the beginning of renovations to create a Life Skills and Vocational Training Center.
Hope Services plans to use the expanded facility to provide training environments for culinary arts, construction, retail, hospitality and other career fields.
On the web: hopegetsjobs.org
Florida awards recruitment bonuses to 38 Pasco officers
LAND O’ LAKES – Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded recruitment bonuses to 38 new law enforcement officers in Pasco County as part of a statewide program.
The officers were among 1,506 recruits receiving more than $10 million through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program. The program provides a one-time $5,000 after-tax bonus to newly recruited and employed officers.
Since the program began in 2022, nearly 12,500 officers have received more than $83 million in bonuses, according to the governor’s office.
Florida’s 2026-27 budget includes $20 million for the recruitment bonus program and $19.8 million in pay increases for sworn state law enforcement officers.
On the web: floridajobs.org/Recognition-and-Recruitment
