The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Commissioners resolve to have fewer resolutions

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There comes a point during Pasco County Commission meetings when formal votes are put on hold while various groups and individuals receive recognition through resolutions.

Typically, a somewhat lengthy resolution is read, commissioners offer their remarks, and the person being honored or a member of the group says a few words.

Then, there’s a customary photo with the commissioners.

Resolutions run the gamut.

Sometimes a long-term employee is retiring.

Other times, someone is being honored for his or her contributions to the community.

Sometimes, the resolution celebrates the success of a particular group or person.

And then, there are resolutions to put the focus on important issues, such as cancer prevention, or combating human trafficking or raising awareness about domestic violence.

All in all, that portion of the meeting can sometimes drag on.

Commissioners have been discussing the issue off and on, and at their July 9 meeting they agreed there’s a need for change.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey suggested: “Why don’t we move resolutions to 10 (a.m.)?”

That would shift the resolutions to the front of the meeting, before board business gets under way.

She also suggested limiting the number of resolutions that each commissioner brings forward.

“Shall we try one per commissioner?” Starkey asked.

“I’m in,” Commissioner Mike Moore said.

But just because commissioners can bring resolutions forward, doesn’t mean they should feel compelled to do so, Moore said.

The commissioner especially wants to avoid honoring the same groups or causes year after year.

“We’re so repetitive. There should be no repetition whatsoever,” Moore said.

Commissioner Mike Wells agreed to the need for change.

“It loses meaning when we do so many,” Wells said.

He suggested approving some resolutions by title only, with commissioners delivering the resolutions to the groups or individuals within their specific district.

“They love when you go out to their place and you present, with their folks,” Wells said.

Something needs to be done because the resolutions are holding up other business, Starkey said.

After all, she noted, “there have been times when we’ve spent an hour and a half (on resolutions),” Starkey said.

County Administrator Dan Biles took his cue from the board and said he will work to have the new approach implemented in August.

Published July 17, 2019

Zephyrhills Police chief talks crime, initiatives and more

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Arrests are up in Zephyrhills, but overall crime trends are down citywide.

That’s according to Zephyrhills Police Department Chief Derek Brewer, who was the featured guest speaker at the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce July breakfast meeting.

Brewer said arrests in Zephyrhills have increased each of the last three years, topping out at 1,077 in 2018.

Zephyrhills Police Department Chief Derek was the featured guest speaker at the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce July breakfast meeting. (Kevin Weiss)

That’s up from 1,047 arrests in 2017 and 942 in 2016, respectively.

Many of the agency’s arrests are related to narcotics and property crimes, Brewer said, noting those crimes “go hand in hand” and are where a majority of the problems are in the city.

There were 288 narcotics arrests and 268 property crimes arrests in 2018 alone.

Brewer explained many of those arrests have been initiated by the department’s street crimes unit — a special response team tasked with “attacking some of the problems in the city” on a daily basis, whether its traffic complaints, narcotics, burglaries, thefts and so on.

“A lot of our attention has been on narcotics and property crimes. If we can attack the narcotics problem, a lot of times property crimes will be reduced,” said Brewer, an 18-year veteran of the department who’s served as chief for about two years.

Brewer stated an added emphasis on narcotics and property crimes has led to a reduction in Zephyrhills’ overall crime rate (total number of crimes of offenses reported) in each of the past four years. The city experienced its biggest crime rate reduction of 19.2 percent last year, he said.

“Our crime trends are continuing to go down, our strategy seems to be working,” Brewer said.

“I know people will see certain individuals in town and will say, ‘Boy, we still have a drug problem,’ but I’m telling you we’re attacking it, and it is making a difference in our crime reduction.”

Aside from crime prevention and reduction efforts, Brewer highlighted some ongoing initiatives within the police department.

For instance, the agency recently implemented a citizen volunteer crossing guard program at West Zephyrhills Elementary School, with plans to expand it to Woodland Elementary School in the near future. The department is looking for more volunteers, who will be trained and then deployed at local schools.

So far, the crossing guard program has gotten “amazing feedback” from the West Zephyrhills Elementary community, Brewer said.

“We have noticed since we put the crossing guard program in West (Zephyrhills Elementary), people are slowing down a lot more, and we certainly feel better about providing more safety for the kids,” he added.

Brewer emphasized that the department has heightened its community involvement efforts, particularly in terms of youth outreach programs.

One such initiative, called “Operation Chill,” involves police officers giving children a Slurpee drink coupon when seen in public “doing the right thing.”

Officers also are involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters “Bigs in Blue” mentorship program, where they spend one-to-one time mentoring a child at a neighborhood school.

“We’re in front of our youth frequently,” Brewer said. The agency’s goal is to be “highly visible” and “make the community pro-police and the police to be pro-community.”

The chief also discussed the impact of body cameras, since the agency required all officers to wear them about a year ago.

The Axon Body 2 cameras are installed on all Zephyrhills police officers and patrol cars. They activate automatically whenever an officer’s taser or firearm is deployed.

Brewer said the body camera program has been “incredibly helpful” for evidence collection, and also for dismissing frivolous citizen complaints against officers.

“In my opinion, it’s been a great program,” Brewer said. “I know that some people are against the body cameras, including officers, but I think even the officers that were against it, they’re starting to come around because they’re seeing that these complaints are getting squashed pretty quickly.”

The department also is exploring the possibility of police academy training sponsorships to attract more police officers. The department currently has 34 sworn police officers and 16 civilian employees.

There has been turnover in recent years, Brewer acknowledged. It also is becoming increasingly difficult to find qualified officers and people interested in law enforcement careers, he said.

“I just don’t think people want to be police officers anymore, just because of all the stuff that comes with it,” Brewer said.

Published July 17, 2019

Laker/Lutz News captures seven Florida Press awards

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The Laker/Lutz News brought home a total of seven reporting and photography awards from the Florida Press Association 2018-2019 Weekly Newspaper Contest.

Staff photographer Christine Holtzman, and freelance contributors Richard K. Riley and Fred Bellet accounted for five of those awards.

The Laker/Lutz News received seven awards at the Florida Press Association 2018-2019 Weekly Newspaper Contest at The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club on July 12. Attending the luncheon, from left, were Kevin Weiss, Kathy Steele, B.C. Manion, Brian Fernandes and Christine Holtzman. They were accompanied by Diane Kortus, owner and publisher of The Laker/Lutz News. (Diane Kortus)

Holtzman won first place feature photo for an image she captured of a young girl from Land O’ Lakes, eyeing a giant bubble.

“This entry  has everything I want to see in a pic,” the judge wrote. “Focal point into bubble is spot on. The colors pop. Her concentration is on point. What’s not to love? Great job. Seriously perfect photo.”

Holtzman also won second place for a collection of photos, which included a sunset over an East Pasco pasture, a couple dancing at a Latin Festival, a color war at a Lutz church, a blessing of the pets at a Dade City church and the little girl with the bubble.

Riley won first place photo series for a wide selection of images he captured at the Pasco County Fair.

“These photos bring a reader right into the heart of the fair. The lights, the games, the rides and entertainment. Nice variety,” the judge wrote. “Special kudos on the delayed exposure and the sunset shots. Beautiful photos that are clear and crisp, and really tell a story.”

Bellet won second place photo series for images he captured of ukulele players enjoying a jam  at Ukulele Brand’s in Land O’ Lakes. The judge appreciated “the sheer joy of these photos,” and added, there were “some great angles coupled with interesting subject matter.”

Bellet also won second place in the sports photo category for his image of a jubilant reaction after a championship victory secured by Academy at the Lakes.

Staff writers Kathy Steele and Brian Fernandes teamed up on a series of stories about the Ridge Road Extension to win a third place in the roads and transportation category. The judge noted the reporters’ “extensive coverage” on the topic.

Staff writer Kevin Weiss also claimed a third place in the education feature category for his story entitled, “This summer camp offers insights into solving crimes,” based on a summer camp offered for youths by Saint Leo University in St. Leo.

The competition drew a total of 1,386 entries from 56 weekly newspaper. Experienced editors and publishers from Arizona, California, Colorado, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York judged the entries.

The awards were presented on July 12 during a luncheon at The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.

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

Vets Healing Vets program debuts at library

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Vets Healing Vets is a new no-cost, therapeutic craft program being offered at the New River Branch Library, for veterans of all ages and their families.

Meg Schmelz, of High Springs, left, and William E. Lee Jr., of Wesley Chapel, show attendees a leather purse craft kit, and the completed project. Schmelz hosts the Vets Healing Vets program in Alachua County, where Lee was a member before he moved to Pasco County three months ago. (Christine Holtzman)

The program meets on the last Friday of the month at 10:30 a.m. It made its debut on June 28.

During the session, veterans put together craft kits and, at the same time, they’re able to socialize and build relationship with other veterans and their families.

The activity also can help improve veterans’ mental and physical well-being, and can help boost their self-esteem.

Nine-year-old Melody Darby, of Crystal Springs, left, and her siblings, 9-year-old Aiden Miles, 15-year-old Destinee Darby and 12-year-old Lacienna Darby, work on a project using pipe cleaners and beads. Melody met the program host, William E. Lee Jr., at the library when she saw him in uniform and thanked him for his service. In return, he invited the family to the inaugural meeting.

The craft kits are assembled by the nonprofit group, Help Heal Veterans, in Winchester, California. They’re distributed by the National Sons of AMVETS.

Kits range in various degrees of difficulty. Categories include leather making, woodworking, paint-by-number projects, and jewelry making.

U.S. Army veteran William E. Lee Jr., of Wesley Chapel, leads the program at the New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel.

Lee is the recipient of numerous medals, including four Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.

Ultimately, he’d like to see the program offered at every Pasco County library, and for every veteran to receive a kit.

To find out more about the program, call (813) 788-6375.

Published July 17, 2019

Extension office kicks off wellness program

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Start stepping toward a healthier future with UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, which is now offering a 12-week walking program called Let’s Walk Florida.

The program is designed to encourage community members to team up in pursuit of a lifelong walking habit.

Avid walkers Christa Lusk, left, and her husband, Roy Gilmore, take an evening stroll through their Land O’ Lakes neighborhood. (Christine Holtzman)

Anyone can participate in the program aimed at promoting physical wellness.

Walking reduces the risk of heart disease and some cancers, improves blood pressure, blood sugar levels, energy, mood and more.

Walkers can choose from health, fitness and performance tracks.

And, participants can work toward goals at their own time and pace, reporting their results to the Pasco County Extension Office.

Registration for the program is $10 per person, and all ages are welcome.

Participants can sign up as teams or individually, or request to be assigned to a team.

The first 50 registrants will receive a pedometer and water bottle.

UF/IFAS will host a Let’s Walk Florida Kickoff Event on July 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

To register and reserve your spot by July 28, visit bit.ly/LetsWalkFL.

Published July 17, 2019

Creating safe and compassionate schools

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When you ask an open-ended question, there’s no telling what the responses will be.

But that’s the point, actually, in a process that Pasco County Schools used to gather different perspectives, regarding the emotional and physical safety of district students and staff.

District officials conducted a ThoughtExchange that allows participants to use technology to share their thoughts and ideas, which are then rated by participants on a five-star scale.

Assistant superintendents Betsy Kuhn and David Scanga led the efforts for the district, and they shared results of the exchange with the Pasco County School Board at a workshop in June.

Steve LaVare, an armed school safety guard, monitors the parking lot area at Sanders Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes, as parents drop off kids on the second day of school last fall. In a ThoughtExchange on school safety, Pasco County parents said they like to see armed guards in visible spots on campus. (File)

The ThoughtExchange attracted 3,416 participants who shared 2,290 thoughts.

Because of the nature of an open-ended question, participants touched on a wide range of topics, said Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services.

“Some people viewed it very much on the building hardening topic, that I work mostly with —  and then a lot of other folks took it as the mental health type of approach,” Kuhn said.

One of the top thoughts overall was this: “Do not arm teachers. We cannot expect teachers to make the ‘right decision’ in the heat of the  moment.”

But that thought wasn’t universally shared, according to the ThoughtExchange. Another comment from community was this: “Allow the teachers to carry a gun. Not all teachers are cut out for it, but some are. Require training and qualifications, but it should be allowed, if the teacher wants it.”

A thought that resonated with parents was this one: “We need to take more action when bullying is reported. We need to listen to students and teachers. Bullying is at the core of many issues of mental health and violence.”

Another top thought in the parents’ category: “Keep the resource officer in a high visibility spot.”

Among students, improved bandwidth and longer lunch periods were among the most highly rated comments.

Staff comments gaining traction dealt with providing more support for teachers dealing with disruptive, disrespectful or potentially dangerous students.

And, this staff comment was rated highly, too: “The pay scales for staff need a major overhaul.”

Besides being broken down by stakeholder category, the ThoughtExchange was analyzed by region.

In West Pasco, for instance, a key concern related to traffic safety at River Ridge High School.

In East Pasco, concerns were raised about securing open campuses.

And, in Central Pasco, there were calls to increase the ways to report concerns anonymously, and for greater support of teachers.

When it comes to student safety, the district was encouraged to include bus drivers in those discussions.

“Bus drivers many times are the first people students see in the morning. Include them in all discussions regarding student safety, as well,” says a comment in the exchange.

The ThoughtExchange is intended to help inform the district’s work, provide feedback from the community and gather information to help the district advocate for additional support from the state legislature for safety improvements.

Kuhn told board members that the district is continuing to take action aimed at creating safer and more secure campuses.

On the facilities side, work on front office hardening continues. The district also is installing additional security cameras and is doing safety projects at strategic locations across the county, Kuhn said.

The work on door locks at all schools is expected to be completed before school starts in August, Kuhn said. The district also continues to collaborate with the sheriff’s office and municipal police departments.

On the mental health side, a theme that emerged in the ThoughtExchange was the request “for more people, more psychologists, more social workers, more assistance,” said Scanga, who is assistant superintendent for elementary schools.

“We know that’s something we need to explore and talk about. We know where that’s coming from, but it also runs up against our budget and what we can afford,” Scanga said.

Still, he added, “there’s room for us to consider how we utilize the people we already have in the system. What gap or what void can they fill to make sure we’re addressing student needs and family needs?”

The school board will explore that topic in deeper detail, when it has its workshop on mental health on July 23.

Published July 10, 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

 

 

Zephyrhills considers fire department merger

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After nearly 60 years of operation and tradition, the Zephyrhills Fire Department may soon be absorbed by Pasco County Fire Rescue.

As funding and staffing issues mount within the city’s fire department, the Zephyrhills City Council on July 1 unanimously directed city staff to begin formal negotiations to consolidate the local agency with Pasco County Fire Rescue.

The City of Zephyrhills will enter formal negotiations with Pasco County to merge Zephyrhills Fire Department into Pasco County Fire Rescue. Any consolidation agreement would need to be approved by the Zephyrhills City Council. (Kevin Weiss)

If the merger occurs, Pasco County Fire Rescue would operate the city’s two fire stations and would absorb the city’s fire department personnel at their proper pay step, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said. The county would ensure and maintain additional staffing needs at both stations and place an ambulance within the city limits.

The merger is anticipated to be “revenue neutral,” meaning it would not cost either entity any money, Poe said. The county can operate at lower costs because of economies of scale, Poe explained.

The merger negotiations follow attempts by Zephyrhills leaders to find ways to address the fire department’s rising costs.

The fire department budget this year is $3.3 million — up nearly $900,000 from 2016, according to a city manager memo to the city council. Those costs are expected to rise over time.

One option would be to levy a fire fee assessment through annual property tax bills — affecting commercial and residential properties, and churches and nonprofits. But, Zephyrhills residents and business leaders vehemently opposed that idea during public comment .

“We have to look at what is the best for overall,” said Kevin Bahr, owner of Bahr’s Propane Gas & A/C in Zephyrhills. “I work for a few nonprofits, to sit there and say they’re going to pay…and we’re going to have every one of the churches in town (pay), I don’t think they have any earthly idea that they’re fixing to start paying a fire assessment fee.”

With a merger, Zephyrhills property owners would pay for county fire rescue services through a Municipal Service Taxing Unit, or MSTU. Generally, an MSTU for fire services would have less financial impact on city residents and commercial entities than a fire assessment fee, city officials say.

Bingham Realty president Will Bingham represents owners of about 250 residential multi-unit properties in Zephyrhills. He said a fire assessment would have a significant impact, and appears unreasonable. “You’re looking at rents going up.”

Sunlight Realty real estate agent Sam Turgeon also opposes the idea of a fire assessment fee.

“I don’t think that’s sustainable. It’s definitely not fair and it’s definitely unaffordable for the city,” Turgeon said.

He supports the proposed merger.

“You’re going to have more people able to go on more calls that are going to serve our community better,” he said. “We’ve heard repeatedly that this fire department is understaffed, which also means that it’s underfunded. Our community is growing rapidly and, because of that, our city does not have enough money to sustain the fire department in its current form. If we leave our fire department understaffed, that’s dangerous for our citizens and it’s dangerous for our firefighters.”

Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce director Melonie Monson also weighed in regarding the potential impact a fire assessment fee would have on the nearly 500 businesses she represents.

Monson warned the council: “There will be many that will not be able to take on the cost, so you may lose businesses with the fee. Think about how much it’s going to tax our businesses.”
The Zephyrhills Fire Department deferred public comment to firefighter union leader Travis Geiger.

Geiger pleaded the council to find a way to maintain the city’s fire department. He expressed concern about the loss of local control and predicted a difficult transition in merging the two departments because the positions are not equivalent.

“If you look at it from our perspective, we feel that we’re being pushed out. We’re not choosing to go over there,” Geiger said.

City manager Poe told council members: “If the decision is to keep the department, we have to charge a fire assessment fee, and we have to hire additional staff to meet the minimum safety standards. If we don’t do that, the only other option is to merge with Pasco County and do the very best that we can to make sure the (city fire department) employees that are transferring over are not adversely impacted.”

Zephyrhills city attorney Matthew Maggard concurred with Poe’s assessment.

“I don’t think anybody wants to see our fire department go away from an emotional or pride standpoint, but financially you have to look at it. We can’t sustain going forward, and I don’t think there’s any dispute with that,” Maggard said.

City Council member Lance Smith voiced concerns about the city fire department’s “long-term viability,” and added, “the logical conclusion is we’ve got to merge with the county.”

Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield agreed: “I think we have to look at sustainability.”

Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson put it like this: “If it were only up to me, I would spend the money in a heartbeat. But, I’m representing all of these people who have reservations about the cost. None of them want to lose our firefighters. It is the question, ‘Can we afford it?’”

City Council member Alan Knight was the most vocal about trying to find a way to keep the department. One possibility would be to increase the millage rate, he said.

“Once we lose our fire department, we aren’t getting it back,” Knight said.

Published July 10, 2019

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