The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Sponsored Content

Premier Martial Arts Lutz Aims To Empower Its Students

By

Students at Premier Martial Arts Lutz are being empowered with lessons that have remained firm for over a thousand years.

This martial arts school helps its students develop the personal skills that are necessary to build a successful life, as well as learn how to take on any task, in an environment that fosters inclusion and social belonging.

Its unique curriculum combines the styles of Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Krav Maga and kickboxing to help its students become well-rounded martial artists and human beings.

Owners Dan and Deb Favuzza are excited to teach kids the importance of discipline paired with self-defense.

“A lot of kids don’t get that ‘training’ much anymore where they learn discipline, respect, self-confidence, etc.,” says Deb. “If we can instill some of these values along with martial arts, then it’s a huge win for our students.”

Premier Martial Arts Lutz offers both kids and adult classes. Its adult classes focus on the highly effective self-defense arts of Krav Maga and kickboxing.

Krav Maga is a technique taught to give you reality-based self-protection techniques, tactics and mindset designed to keep you safe. It also is a fantastic way to burn body fat and improve your level of conditioning.

For its kid classes, the martial arts school trains children’s muscles and minds.

One of Dan’s favorite parts of the kid classes are the “mat chats.” This is when the kids will sit down on the mat and discuss a positive topic such as kindness. He and his team will then assign homework for the kids to accomplish during the week that’s relevant to the topic discussed, such as performing five acts of kindness.

“In such a short amount of time, we are already seeing the change in our students,” says Dan.

Dan and Deb both know first-hand how powerful that change can be.

They were first introduced to the practice when their son was in first grade. He was extremely shy and they decided to try martial arts to build his self-confidence.

Their son began to open up and flourish. He ended up spending six-and-a-half years in karate and earned his black belt. He then went on to graduate high school at 16, study abroad at 18, graduate college at 20, and the day after graduating college, moved into his own place.

“I really feel that martial arts helped give him self-confidence, discipline, and definitely brought him out of his shell,” says Dan.

“We thought, if we can help other kids like our son… that’s the positive difference we want to make in this community.”

For more information on Premier Martial Arts and to learn more about its free introductory class, go to PremierMartialArts.com/landolakes/.

Avalon Applauds

By

Congratulations to Lana Guzman, a senior at Wesley Chapel High School, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Lana Guzman

Guzman was recently chosen as Pasco County’s 2021 – 2022 Outstanding Senior. She serves as the Student Government Association’s executive president, Student Advisory Council chairman and the school’s National Honor Society secretary. She was also a Teen Play Leader for Glazer Children’s Museum where she provided information about exhibits, monitored activities and prepared materials for small groups.

“Each leadership position and community involvement I have been blessed with has granted me the ability to inspire others through compassion and knowledge,” says Guzman.

Maintaining a driven mindset has allowed Guzman to hold a 4.36 grade point average all throughout high school.

“As a student, my goal has always been to strive for highest level of success and my motivation has been driven by my desire to reach my fullest potential,” says Guzman.

On top of all that, Guzman was also the 2018 – 2019 Agriculture Student of the Year, which is an industry she is extremely passionate about. Guzman is currently the Wesley Chapel High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter president, which has over 50 members. Guzman works alongside both the club’s advisor and officer team to organize events, competitions, meetings and volunteer opportunities.

“Despite coming from a suburban background, agriculture has shown me the importance of an industry that makes up the food, fiber and shelter of our daily lives,” says Guzman.

Upon graduating from Wesley Chapel High School, Guzman plans to attend the University of Florida where she will pursue a degree in agriculture education.

“As a teacher, my goal is to build future leaders, create educated consumers and teach students to have respect for agriculture industries,” says Guzman.

Guzman would like to thank her agriculture education teacher and FFA advisor, Mrs. Farquhar, for her support throughout the years.

“She never failed to always be there whenever I needed her. I am forever grateful for the life changing impact Mrs. Farquhar has been in my life,” says Guzman.

Communicate better, with Affordable Hearing Help

By

William Morehouse, a local hearing aid specialist, wants to educate and to help people in the local community who suffer from hearing loss.

Morehouse, a resident of Zephyrhills for over 20 years, opened up Affordable Hearing Help, a discount hearing aid store, in January of 2019.

His services include a no-cost hearing test, a risk-free trial, adjustments, cleanings, and repairs.

Morehouse claims more people suffer from hearing loss than one would think.

“Most people hear, but it’s not clear,” says Morehouse. “Hearing loss isn’t typically deafness, it’s usually you just can’t hear certain high tones and pitches.”

Hearing aids pick out certain frequency ranges where amplifications are needed and instantly improve your quality of life by increasing your communication with others. New advancements in hearing aid technology, like Bluetooth, have really allowed people to rejoin conversations.

“Apps are another advancement that allows my customers to adjust their hearing aids on their own without coming to my office,” says Morehouse.

Morehouse prides himself his low prices, and on treating his patients according to the golden rule. You won’t have to pay for any warranties or feel obligated to buy accessories from Affordable Hearing Help.

Morehouse claims 30% of people with a hearing loss don’t wear hearing aids due to high costs. He offers hearing aids at much lower prices than his competition – usually saving his patients not just hundreds, but thousands of dollars.

“Communication is a basic human necessity,” says Morehouse, “That’s why I try to be as affordable as possible.”

Customers who buy their hearing aids from Affordable Hearing Help also receive free adjustments and cleanings. If you come in with a hearing aid from somewhere else, you can still get adjustments and/or cleanings at a low cost.

Morehouse always offers free follow-up appointments for new customers and a risk-free trial for all hearing aids.

A common misconception is people assume all hearing aids are the same, which is not the case at all, claims Morehouse.

Nowadays, hearing aids can be tailor-made for each client, according to their personal wants and needs. This guarantees that they will easily fit in your ear, feel extremely comfortable and are nearly invisible to others.

To learn more about Affordable Hearing Help, go to AffordableHearingHelp.com, or call 813- 395-6764.

By Nicole Sanchez

Affordable Hearing Help
6144 Abbott Station Drive, Unit 102
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
813-395-6764
AffordableHearingHelp.com

The “Artist” at Artistic Dental Associates

By

When you think of an “Artist,” you think of a professional, someone highly talented and someone who has perfected their trade.

Artistic Dental Associates has earned the right to that name. They provide a professional, friendly, and comprehensive dental service to families living in Zephyrhills and the neighboring communities of Wesley Chapel, Dade City, Plant City, Lakeland and more.

Led by Dr. Kulwant S. Bedi, affectionally called Dr. K by patients and staff, the practice has been operating for over 35 years. Dr. K actively practices in oral surgery, dental implants, prosthetics, periodontal treatments, and the entire range of dentistry. He has been a successful practitioner since 1976, when he graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. This began a long career as a medical professional, after first gaining his master’s degree in nuclear physics, in Michigan.

“When patients come here, we don’t need to refer them to other practices, because we do everything in-house,” explains Carla Dignall, who has worked for Dr. K for many years. “We offer all general dentistry services, including oral surgery, extractions, bone grafting, crowns and bridges, dentures, lab repairs, as well as root canals, dental implants, periodontal treatments, cosmetic procedures and even TMJ solutions.

“We have our own in-house lab to provide a speedy and comprehensive dental health service to our patients. We maintain chartless record-keeping and have the most modern 2D and 3D X-ray and imaging equipment to ensure the best possible solution to whatever a patient requires.”

Carla continues, “Our goal is always to restore a person’s smile, or even make it look and function better. In doing this, we see all the other benefits a patient realizes by going through this transformation—it can truly be life-changing.”

In addition to being an exceptionally versatile dentist, Carla describes Dr. K as “a most kind and caring person. He is gifted in having a warm and gentle approach, which has a calming effect on patients that puts them at ease.”

The entire staff at Artistic Dental is patient-focused. “We understand that sometimes it’s the little things that matter most,” said Carla. “We are very concerned about the future of a patient’s dental health, and plan systematically according to individual needs in approaching a patient’s treatment. We all want the care we provide today serve them for years to come.”

This philosophy and caring reputation did not develop overnight. It started with Dr. K’s foundational approach to dentistry. “Good dentistry is like building a house – you must have a solid, healthy base from which to work,” said Dr. Bedi, who performed his first dental implant procedure in 1978.

Planning for long-term solutions for a patient’s dental health is essential for someone’s overall health and quality of life.

“Being able to chew and benefit from your food is an everyday enjoyment and important to one’s overall quality of life,” said Dr. Bedi. “Everyone enjoys eating and sharing meals with family and friends, and that begins with being able to chew your food thoroughly and without pain.”

Good dental health is also a major contributor to longevity, explains Dr. Bedi.

“Studies show that heart disease and Alzheimer’s are directly related to oral health,” said Dr. Bedi. “Gum disease is the number one cause of heart disease — everything starts in our mouth, and if there’s bacteria, it can be pumped by the heart into your circulatory system.”

Everything at Artistic Dental is done for the betterment of the patient, including seeing Dr. Bedi at every visit.

“Dr. K personally sees every patient. He is very hands-on and makes all the decisions, so patients don’t have to wait,” explains Carla. “We typically see between 10-15 patients per day, which is much less than multiple-office, chain-type dental practices. Patients have commented they feel their care here is individualized, which is our goal.”

After several decades practicing dentistry, Dr. Bedi loves his profession more than ever.

“I love that I get to do different things every day. I’m a perfectionist, and so appreciative that I can share my medical knowledge and skills with patients to give them a better quality of life,” said Dr. Bedi.

Artistic Dental provides dental services to adults and children of all ages and even provides a line for 24-hour emergency. Call now to schedule an introductory visit and receive a free X-ray with your consultation.

(813) 780-1403
(813) 815-2127 (24/hour emergency cell#)
6153 Fort King Road, Zephyrhills, FL

Published November 17, 2021

Valentino’s Fine Jewelers Now Located at Tampa Premium Outlets

By

Clyde Wilcox is no stranger to the finer things in life, and his passion for the jewelry business proves just that.

Wilcox is the general manager at Valentino’s Fine Jewelers, which celebrated its fifth anniversary this year. The high-end store first opened in Zephyrhills, and recently has relocated to Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz. The family owned, local business is the product of decades of dedication to the fine jewelry industry.

“Our store is not your typical jewelry store, from the way we look, to how we treat our customers, to the product we carry; we try to be different all the time,” said Wilcox.

From left: Brian, Madonna and Clyde

Keeping the theme of doing things differently, its upcoming Black Friday celebration will be one to remember. The first 100 visitors to Valentino’s between Nov. 26 to Nov. 28 can shuck their own oyster, with a guaranteed pearl inside. There will be plenty of weekend discounts throughout the store for customers to best accessorize the color of their newfound gem.

Before Valentino’s, Wilcox worked for Ultra Diamonds, where he improved the store’s sales by 150% in his first year. It wasn’t long before Wilcox felt confined in the corporate world and opened his own store.

“He did it all by himself,” said Madonna Wilcox, Clyde’s wife and office manager for Valentino’s.

Valentino’s offers a wide variety of jewelry. The showroom keeps things fresh by often showcasing unusual and unique items, instead of replacing the same stock as soon as it sells.

“We want new and different, always,” said Madonna Wilcox.

Prioritizing the individuality of the customer is important to their store.

“You live on your reputation, so we want to make sure ours is very good,” said Clyde Wilcox.

Valentino’s also offers a range of other services from battery changes to jewelry repairs, mostly done at the hands of their master jeweler Edwin Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a third-generation jeweler, a scarce craft he learned from his father, and has 30 years of experience doing custom work. With his help, what may take two weeks for a simple repair at a chain store, Valentino’s can get done while you shop at the mall.

“Anything you throw in front of him, if there’s no way to do it, he will find a way,” said Brian Miller, son and store manager.

With husband, wife and son all working together, Valentino’s gives their guests the “at home” experience that can be hard to find at large retailers.

“It’s not a chain, it’s an extension of our family,” said Clyde.

For information, call 813-949-9800, or visit them at 2100 Grand Cypress Drive, Suite 150, Lutz, FL 33559.

Published November 10, 2021

Avalon Applauds David Castro

By

Congratulations to David Castro, a senior at Zephyrhills High School, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Castro is a shining example of a young adult making a positive impact in his local community. His passion is to help educate and train younger kids about two sports he loves — tennis and billiards.

Castro began playing tennis in fifth grade when his parents won a certificate for a reduced price for tennis lessons at a local park. Even though Castro loved the sport, he wasn’t able to continue, as he didn’t know any other tennis players to play with and couldn’t afford private lessons. Castro ended up focusing on baseball and football until his sophomore year when he was able to play tennis for his high school.

“This is when I reignited my passion for the game and became hungry for more,” says Castro.

This was during the time when the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center opened. Castro was offered the opportunity to become one of the inaugural student ambassadors for the center’s foundation.

As an ambassador, Castro assists with afterschool programs at local elementary and middle schools as a tennis coach, to introduce the sport to young kids who might not normally get the chance to play.

“The most rewarding part is seeing the kids I coach share my passion for the game and improve their skills,” says Castro.

It’s Castro’s responsibility to represent the foundation by performing well in competitions and upholding its five pillars: education, character, community, positive role model and physical well-being.

“David continues to impress me with his proactive approach to solving problems and helping others,” says Nick Walton, director of operations at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center.

Castro also is a part of the nonprofit Shooting for the Future, which helps grow the sport of billiards through coaching, publicity and recruitment. He was one of the first players for the nonprofit, and also was a junior coach to help younger players improve their game.

“I enjoyed watching other students slowly fall in love with a sport that I already enjoyed,” says Castro.

Castro says coaching for the tennis foundation and nonprofit helps to give local kids a healthy alternative to sitting at home watching TV or playing video games.

After graduation, Castro hopes to pursue a career as either a pilot, or professional tennis and/or pool player.

“I don’t know what I’ll be doing, but I do know I’ll love every second of it,” says Castro.

Castro’s plan is to earn his associate degree from Pasco-Hernando State College and then earn enough scholarships to transfer to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to earn his bachelor degree.

Bring The Family To The 10th Annual Paulie Palooza Music Festival

By

Saturday, Oct. 16 from noon to 9 p.m., in downtown Zephyrhills

Paul Correia was introduced to Gulfside Hospice back in 2008 when a friend, Kymberly Corkum, asked him to play with his musician friends at the annual Ride for Hospice — an event she helped organize with the Pasco Sheriff’s Mounted Posse to raise money for the nonprofit.

Crowds sit in front of the stage on Main Street Zephyrhills at the 2019 Paulie Palooza Music Festival.

“That was my first experience with hospice, and I learned how important this organization is to our community,” said Correia, co-owner of Sunstate Aluminum in Zephyrhills. “My job was to ask other local musicians to donate their talent and perform at the event, and we had so much fun, we continued to play every year.”

In 2010, the benefits of hospice became very personal to the Correia family, when their 93-year-old father became a patient of Gulfside Hospice during the final two weeks of his life.

“After dad died, I was even more thankful for hospice and became more involved in the fundraiser. Then in 2012, when the Sheriff’s Posse needed to step back its involvement, I decided to relaunch the event as tribute to my father, and we changed its name to the Paulie Palooza Music Festival,” said Correia.

“I’m proud that this year is the 10th Paulie Palooza Music Festival, and we’re hoping it will be our biggest fundraiser yet,” he said.

The all-day music festival takes place on Sat., Oct. 16 from noon to 9 p.m., on Main Street Zephyrhills (Fifth Avenue and U.S. 301). The daylong event features live music by local musicians; vendors; food trucks; an auction; prize drawings; and much more family fun. A $5 donation gives all-day access to the entire event.

Paul Correia, founder of the Paulie Palooza Music Festival

A change this year is the October date for the event, which previously was held in the spring. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, this past March Paulie Palooza went virtual for its ninth annual event, which makes next month’s festival its 10th anniversary.

“We are happy to be moving back to our signature event schedule, and look forward to seeing everyone in person this October on Main Street Zephyrhills,” says Leesa Fryer, fundraising & event planning specialist for Gulfside Hospice. “There are so many other community events in March for people to choose from, we decided to move Paulie Palooza to October so more people can attend.”

Fryer is in charge of overall planning for Paulie Palooza, and has limited spots still available for vendors, food trucks and sponsors. Vendor fee is $75, and sponsorships are available starting at $200, and include a vendor spot along with additional benefits. More information is available online at PauliePalooza.org, or by contacting Fryer at 727-845-5707 or .

Current event sponsors include Rockstar Sponsors O2 Solutions and Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home; Crooner Sponsor Norm & Sons Tire & Auto Repair; Roadie Sponsors DeliverCareRX, Medfleet and Right at Home; Groupie Sponsors ABC Supply Company Inc. and Ryman Construction of Florida Inc.; and Super Fan Sponsors Bahrs Aluminum & Construction, Bahr’s Propane Gas & AC Inc., Heister Automotive Performance, Sunstate Aluminum, and SouthState Bank. The Laker/Lutz News is the media sponsor.

Proceeds from Paulie Palooza benefit Gulfside Hospice. Since its founding, the festival has raised more than $71,000 to benefit Gulfside Hospice, which provides patient care and bereavement services to more than 650 patients and families every day in our local community.

About Gulfside Healthcare Services:
Gulfside Healthcare Services is a nonprofit organization serving the community for more than 30 years. Its three lines of business include Gulfside Hospice, offering care for patients at end of life; Gulfside Palliative Care, providing treatment options for those with chronic illness; and Gulfside Home Health, helping patients stay independent through skilled nursing and rehab at home. For more information about Gulfside Healthcare Services, visit Gulfside.org, or call 800-561-4883.

Published October 06, 2021

Drew Hudgins’ Love Affair With Pasco County

By

Drew Hudgins’ love affair with Pasco County began 38 years ago when the Tampa native and his wife, Kerri, bought a weekend getaway on Lake Linda in what they called “Land O’ Lutz, Florida.”

“I had just started my career at a fast-paced law firm in downtown Tampa, often working 70-hour weeks,” Hudgins recalls. “We needed, and loved, our little lake place getaway, and began spending more and more time in Pasco. So, when we decided to open our own practice, we knew Pasco was where we wanted to be.”

That was in 1985, when there was little between Land O’ Lakes and east Pasco except citrus groves and pastureland. “Back then we could drive from Land O’ Lakes to Zephyrhills in just 20 minutes, with only one stoplight in between,” Hudgins laughs.

Drew Hudgins

The couple settled on downtown Zephyrhills as the location for their new law practice, after they found an office on Eighth Street for just $350 a month that came with a one-page lease, compared to Tampa office leases of 40 pages or more. Success quickly followed.

He was able to purchase the building two years later, and since then has added two adjacent buildings that today total over 8,000 square feet for his clients’ comfort, and nine full-time employees.

Hudgins quickly learned that there was a tremendous need for legal services in Pasco County, which in 1985 had fewer than 100 practicing attorneys, compared to 7,000 in Hillsborough County.

Most Pasco attorneys back then did a little bit of everything. After graduating from law school in 1981 from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, Hudgins came back home to Tampa and worked for a firm that specialized in personal injury and took that experience with him when he opened his new practice in Zephyrhills.

“Most of my early clients came from referrals from other attorneys who did not do personal injury, and in return, I referred my clients that needed other legal services to other local attorneys,” said Hudgins. “I’m proud that today I continue to have great working relationships with my legal colleagues.”

It’s been 35 years since Hudgins Law Firm opened its doors in beautiful downtown Zephyrhills, and it ties to the community run deep. Proudly displayed in the office are pictures, plaques and certificates of community organizations the firm has supported through the years, including Little League team photos, and recognition for its participation in Christmas decoration contests and community parades.

No Upfront Fee
Hudgins Law Firm takes cases under a contingency fee agreement — meaning no payment is required upfront, because the firm gets paid a percentage of the recovery only, if and when a client receives a successful financial recovery. If there is no recovery, there is no fee. The contingent fee is often called the poor man’s key to the Courthouse.

“The vast majority of our clients are great, loyal, hard-working and family-oriented people. Most cannot afford the $300 or more hourly rate that other attorneys charge. Over time, our clients become family and we love fighting for them,” said Hudgins.

“It’s very rewarding to help people who don’t have the means to pay for legal assistance up front. We always welcome folks to call or come by the office to see if we can help them, and make sure when they do that, they don’t feel intimidated,” he adds.

Long before Google had reviews, Hudgins Law Firm was receiving testimonials from people it helped – oftentimes from second and third generations of families.

“Nothing makes me prouder than when a former client comes up to me at the grocery store or Walmart to thank me for fighting for them, and for being their attorney,” said Hudgins.

Hudgins has had many opportunities to double or triple the size of his firm over the years, but he believes bigger is not always better. “We’ve chosen to keep our firm small with just a handful of long-time employees,” he said. “We are truly a small family business.”

In addition to his wife, Kerri, who has been the office manager for 35 years, other team members include case manager Tammy Phinney (34 years), case manager Linda Hines (27 years), trial attorney Ken Minio (26 years), accountant Jana Tombrink (20 years), case manager Tammara Wentworth (15 years) and case manager Samantha O’Berry (14 years).

“All of our staff are caring, committed employees who work exceptionally hard for our clients,” said Hudgins. “My staff works as a team —we have four case managers that clients are assigned to — but every one of us is aware of every case we have and support each other. This means our clients are never left waiting for answers to their questions.”

Hudgins’ law partner for 26 years is Ken Minio, whom Hudgins describes as a tenacious advocate.

“Ken is just what clients need when battling for their settlements in court or in negotiations. He fights harder, and smarter, than any attorney I have ever known,” said Hudgins.

Besides his law firm, Hudgins is most proud of his son, Maximilian, who is a junior at Auburn University in Alabama, the alma mater of both of his parents.

“Having a son was the best thing we ever did,” said Hudgins.

Like his father and grandfather, Max is an Eagle Scout, and Hudgins spent many years in local scout leadership.

“I am incredibly proud that my father, George Hudgins, who is an unbelievable 96-year-old WWII and Korean War veteran, myself and Max are all Eagle Scouts. Less than 1% of scouting families can claim this third generation Eagle legacy, and we are so proud to be among them,” said Hudgins.

Hudgins has spent 35 years fighting for his clients and welcomes you to call his office to set up an appointment to see if his firm can help you. “One of the most important decisions you could ever make is to call Hudgins Law Firm. We hope you do, so we can help you and your family get what you deserve if you are the unfortunate victim of an accident.

Hudgins Law Firm
38543 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, FL
Office phone (813) 788-5534
Drew’s cell (813) 714-2018

https://hudginslawfirm.net

Avalon Applauds Celebrate Birthdays

By

Congratulations to Celebrate Birthdays, a nonprofit based in Tampa, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Celebrate Birthdays’ mission is to ensure that every foster child and all children, ages 1 through 18, regardless of personal or financial circumstances, has the opportunity to celebrate their birthday. The nonprofit services Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Celebrate Birthdays’ Co-founders Celina Saunders and Belinda Leto

Co-founders Belinda Leto and Celina Saunders are full-time nurses by trade who met 18 years ago. They discovered in 2017 a need to help children celebrate their birthdays when they delivered Christmas presents to children of incarcerated individuals.

A recipient’s grandmother asked Leto and Saunders if they knew anyone who could help her celebrate her grandson’s birthday, as she did not even have the means for a cake.

Heartbroken and eager to help, Leto and Saunders immediately started calling local places and couldn’t find any reliable resources.

“In our area there’s over 6,000 children in foster care and over half of them have never celebrated a birthday,” says Leto. “We realized we had plenty of room right here in our own backyard to make an impact.”

Leto and Saunders officially founded Celebrate Birthdays in 2019.

“We didn’t go into this intending that it was going to be a nonprofit, but we just realized a need that was out there in our community and we wanted to make sure that we could help fill that void,” says Leto.

Due to the COVID pandemic, Celebrate Birthdays now hosts a limited number of in-person parties a month, as well as offers a ‘Birthday in a Box,’ which it created out of necessity.

“It’s a 10×10 box filled with 16 different items that includes everything a child would need to celebrate their birthday, wherever they’re at,” says Leto.

Leto and her team try to cater the boxes to what that particular child likes, and has about 19 different themes to choose from such as sports, movies, etc.

Items include streamers, candles, cake mix, etc. The nonprofit also sends a gift valued at $25 and a free book to help promote literacy.

Celebrate Birthdays delivers up to 100 boxes a month, and each box costs about $50.

“When you see the joy on a child’s face when somebody remembers them on their special day, I almost feel like this should be a basic necessity,” says Leto. She hopes these small moments will give them long-lasting memories.

Celebrate Birthdays also launched a program in August called Classroom Birthday Bins, for title one and low income schools, that include items like stickers, a birthday crown, notebooks, pencil, wristband, and more.

“We want to make sure that the child is celebrated…and it helps the teachers who don’t have a lot of resources,” says Leto.

Leto says there are numerous ways to volunteer, whether it’s packing birthday boxes, hosting a gift drive, or donating monetarily.

Stay up to date with Celebrate Birthdays at CelebrateBirthdays.org or follow them on Facebook (@celebrateBirthdays19) or Instagram (@celebratebirthdays). Donations can be dropped off at 611 N. New Jersey Ave., Tampa, FL 33609.

Published September 22, 2021

See What Some Of Stephanie’s Past Clients Have To Say

By

Congratulations to Stephanie Meid for 30 years of providing real estate service to the Tampa Bay area. A native of Tampa and resident of Land O Lakes, Stephanie offers her years of experience to buyers and sellers looking for someone to guide them through the complexities of the current real estate market. She can be reached at 813-695-0234 or

“I have known Stephanie Meid for over 10 years. I have used Stephanie’s expertise in real estate in both the buying and selling of my homes. She will ALWAYS be my agent of choice in all future deals.” – Lisa and Alex

“Stephanie has represented us in buying and selling multiple properties over the last 25 years. We appreciate her professionalism, experience, and attention to detail. We highly recommend Stephanie as an agent for any size real estate transaction. Her integrity and discretion is an asset whether you are in the market to buy or sell.” – Dan and Tonya

“We have known Stephanie for over eight years as a friend and professionally.  Over the years she has helped us in many ways and we worked closely together on multiple real estate transactions.  Stephanie is truly a genuine and caring person! Her expertise in the field and her professionalism has made buying and selling real estate seamlessly.  She delivers prime service and her love for her clients are one of the many reasons we will continue to utilize Stephanie in the real estate business.  Congratulations Stephanie on 30 years in the real estate profession!” -Krystle and Patrick

“As a repeat client of Stephanie’s, I highly recommend her as one of the most knowledgeable and professional agents in this market. She was very responsive throughout the entire process and always had my best interest at heart. I would never use anyone else when buying or selling!”  -Paula

“I have been using Stephanie as my Realtor for 28 years (with my first purchase in 1993). Since then I have sold 4 homes and purchased five exclusively through her. Stephanie is professional and knowledgeable in her field and, as long as she is practicing real estate, I will continue to work with her. I am ecstatic to be able to call her my Realtor and friend.” – Tim

“Stephanie, congratulations on 30 years in real estate. Thank you for the wonderful buying experience. You helped us negotiate a deal that allowed us enough time to sell our house and lock in our home of the future. The closing process was painless and you’re always available for questions. Thank you.” – The Crow Family