The Laker/Lutz News

Make a Difference Inc.

Building up Dade City, block by block

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Larry Guilford uses a block party as one of the ways he pays for his charitable endeavors.

There’s a street party on the second Friday of the month, next to The Block, a venue at 14307 Seventh St., that features a brewery, a restaurant, a CrossFit gym and 5,000 square feet of event space.

The Block takes up a whole city block, right in historic downtown Dade City.

Larry Guilford stands in front of the mural at The Block, the historic building that housed automobile dealerships in the 1920s and has been renovated to create a venue space, a brewhouse, a restaurant, a CrossFit gym and more. (Mike Camunas)

Guilford, a longtime commercial real estate agent in Pasco County, is the founder and owner of The Block, housed in a historic building that was an auto dealership in the 1920s, originally operated by Highlands Motor Company.

Guilford also is founder and president of Make a Difference Inc., his 501c nonprofit organization.

The charitable organization that Guilford founded in 2007 is dedicated to helping Pasco County with social, economic and educational resources to improve the quality of life for individuals in need.

“You see the need, but we don’t judge,” Guilford said. “We want to help as many people as we can, especially in East Pasco. You never know that one day you might be in the line waiting for food.”

Make a Difference provides a Mobile Pantry, distributing food in prepacked boxes or through a farmer’s market-style distribution; Shoes 4 School, which is dedicated to providing new shoes to children in the Pasco County school system; and Pasco Difference Makers, which moderates monthly networking meetings to assist local charities in East Pasco.

“What I wanted to do was come back (to Pasco County), to get back into real estate, so I came to Dade City,” Guilford said. “I wanted to do that and make some money to put back into charity work down the road.

“But I always liked this brick building. I always joke with people that its Armature Works, without the $20 million.”

Indeed, Guilford buying and renovating the old building into The Block has essentially revitalized the “North Side” of Dade City just above Meridian Avenue. It has inspired more businesses to consider downtown Dade City and brought a monthly “block party” held every second Friday. Crowds have been out in droves to enjoy food, drinks, entertainment and music.

The Venue at The Block has capacity of 150 to 200 and has been fully renovated. (Courtesy of The Block)

After the third block party on April 8, Guilford said: “They’re getting bigger and better each month! That was part of my vision: to be able to walk Dade City.”

Before, when people reached the corner of Seventh Street and Meridian Avenue, “there was nothing to see,” he said.

Guilford’s impact on the county dates back decades, especially since he helped develop some of the original and early businesses back before Wesley Chapel’s burgeoning growth.

When he arrived, from Michigan, during the late 1970s, he saw the growth that could happen in Wesley Chapel and helped set up the commercial side of State Road 54, including the Comfort Inn and McDonald’s, which still stand today.

“There really wasn’t much out there in Wesley Chapel,” Guilford recalls. “But back then, I was known as the Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel.”

After developing that fledgling town in the early 2000s, Guilford decided to focus solely on charitable work and opted to help less-fortunate countries. The work took him back and forth overseas to the Philippines, Columbia and Ukraine, to name a few. Guilford has been doing work tirelessly in the Ukraine since 2003. He helped rebuild orphanages, including restoring buildings and putting in 1,500 beds.

“It’s really tough to see what’s going on there now,” he said.

Eventually, it was time to come back to the states on a more permanent basis, as he did when he decided to take a look at Dade City — a historic town that was begging for revitalization.

“He truly has been a blessing for Dade City,” said Camille Hernandez, the city’s longtime mayor before she stepped away from political life on April 26.

“He always has his thinking cap on — how can I help Dade City? And he hasn’t stopped. He’s that trailblazer, that spark, that leap of faith that’s given confidence to others to invest in this community, too.”

The Block, at 14307 Seventh St., has thrived despite some COVID-related delays. It is bringing new life to an area in historic downtown Dade City.

Guilford isn’t stopping.

Soon, just across the street from The Block, will be ZoneWorx Coworking Space, which will allow businesses to rent office space and amenities. It is, of course, also in a historic building that used to be a car dealership.

“He’s just such a visionary,” said James Shive, who recently became Dade City’s mayor. “To be able to envision (The Block) and be that successful with it and his whole career — it’s just made a huge difference in the downtown north corridor. People are now discovering Dade City, and its bringing in a more youthful group and more young families are coming and moving out here.

“He’s such an amazing person and has given so much to be thankful for. I honestly can’t say enough about him, and what he’s done and going to do for our community.”

Without a doubt, downtown Dade City has seen a boom in businesses from Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread, Dade City BBQ and Ice Cream Company, Uptown Creamery, Prelude Academy of the Arts, the Brew House, and even more to come.

“There has been an influx of about 30 businesses,” Shive said. “I’ve lived here my whole life, I’ve raised a family here, and I think back to all the eclectic shops that used to be in Dade City and you’re seeing that come back.”

Shive noted that the city’s redevelopment agency has plugged more than $4 million into improvements of downtown buildings, while there are 19 more projects on the books. Shive expects that in five to 10 years, Dade City’s population will triple.

“We’re going to develop the city, but go about it the way to preserve the integrity of the small town and its history,” Shive said. “The way (Larry’s) done it.”

Guilford said he visualized downtown Dade City’s possibilities years ago.

“What we had going for us was the historic aspect of downtown,” he said. “Plus the growth corridor (that is Wesley Chapel). It’s coming and maybe even already here, and it’s spreading into Dade City. We’re going to benefit from Wesley Chapel.”

Guilford can already picture his next project, and others are eagerly waiting to find out what it will be.

“He’s just been truly an asset and a blessing to Dade City and to me!” Hernandez said. “He’s so solution-oriented on how we can get it done and make it happen.

“I just can’t wait for his next project — and it’s a secret!”

For more information on Dade City, log onto DiscoverDadeCity.com.

The Block
Where: 14313 Seventh St., in Dade City
Details: Dade City Brew House, KÄN SEPT, CrossFit HCP, Venue at the Block.
Info: Call 352-437-3059, or visit TheBlockDadeCity.com.

UPCOMING
The Venue at The Block is holding a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on June 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will cater food and cake tasting, a cocktail bar, wedding vendor booths, music and more. It is free and open to the public.

Published May 18, 2022

Dade City Chamber bestows its annual awards

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Common themes emerged during the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce’s “Business Connects: A celebration of partnerships” event — held April 22 at the Dade City Women’s Club.

As chamber members moved about the room, mingling and chatting, the value of human connection was on full display.

Diane Kortus accepts the Area Business of the Year award from Justin Sasser, president of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce. (B.C. Manion)

Then, as the chamber’s annual awards were announced — the power of community connection became abundantly clear.

The awards, in the order presented that evening, honored The Laker/Lutz News, as Area Business of the Year; Larry Guilford, as Chamber Member of the Year; and, Cliff Martin as the recipient of the Richard Tombrink Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jason Sasser, chamber president, read the criteria used to choose the recipients, followed by additional commentary.

The Area Business of the Year, he said, was selected for making an “outstanding contribution to the betterment of the Greater Dade City area and business community through commitment of time, talent and resources.”

The winning company, Sasser added, “demonstrates community support, civic participation, charitable contributions — that are not always financial in nature.”

Plus, he said, the business is considered to be “an asset to the greater Dade City business community.

Sasser then offered details about the newspaper’s history and contributions.

“You provided outstanding news coverage of Dade City and Pasco County, particularly important in this past year of COVID.”

The newspaper, he said, is the only weekly publication “committed to reporting on Dade City news, events, sports, pets, health and education, Foodie Friday and people.

“You publish over 47,000 free papers every week — free papers, every week,” he added, noting that 85% of those papers are delivered to homes and the rest are distributed at more than 350 businesses and newspaper boxes.

The Laker/Lutz News, which is independently owned and publishes on Wednesdays, provides coverage of the local communities of Dade City, San Antonio, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Odessa and Lutz.

In accepting the award, Publisher Diane Kortus, told the crowd: “This is such an honor.

“We have a dynamic team,” she said, addressing how the newspaper has responded to the challenges posed by COVID-19.

“Instead of being in despair, we really took charge of our destiny, and the destiny of our communities.

“We invested in our people.

“We never dropped our circulation, like some publishers did.

“We believed in our communities, even though it was tough — we knew that we would all rebound, if we did it together,” she said.

Kortus was obviously touched by the honor.

“I can’t tell you how important this is, to me.

“We have worked hard. I’ve owned the paper for 20 years. To be here today, it makes me tear up. What can I say? Thank you very much,” the newspaper executive said.

Larry Guilford receives the Chamber Member of the Year award from Justin Sasser, president of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

Next up, Larry Guilford was named Chamber Member of the Year.

The criteria for that award includes being a member in good standing, playing an active and visible role in chamber functions and events, plus demonstrating enthusiasm and effort.

This year’s selection was easy, Sasser said.

He detailed Guilford’s many contributions to the entire Dade City community, as well as to the business community.

During COVID-19, Guilford has “almost single-handedly” organized the Mega Pantry Food Distribution program, which has helped to feed thousands of struggling families, Sasser said.

“You spent your own time and secured many different locations, when needed, in order for it to continue to happen, week after week,” Sasser said. “You make sure each location is on the public bus route, so everyone is able to get food.

“You’re not shy about drawing public awareness to the ever-present need in our community.

“You continue to invite people to volunteer in our community, in a variety of services, which helps the community, and provides an outlet for people’s desires to be of service,” Sasser said.

He also cited Guilford’s nonprofit, Make A Difference Inc. That organization, Sasser said, aims “to help people pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, by helping them acquire the most basic needs of food, housing, encouragement and opportunity.”

Sasser said Guilford, who is in commercial real estate, has personally invested his resources, time and determination to promote business and the advancement of Dade City.

“I have no problem plugging your latest project, The Block, which is a restored auto dealership on the north end of town. It used to be Pasco Motors. I think that project is going to be the catalyst for things to come for Dade City,” Sasser said.

Cliff Martin receives the Richard Tombrink Lifetime Achievement Award, which exemplifies the meaning of selflessness and going beyond the call of duty to support the needs of the local community.

Guilford, too, was moved by the honor.

“Our community is a very, very tight community. There’s so many needs and there are so many people in here that do so many amazing things,” he said.

In presenting Martin the Richard Tombrink Lifetime Achievement Award, Sasser said the honor “exemplifies the meaning of selflessness, and goes above and beyond the call of duty to support the needs of the local community in personal involvement and/or finances.

“Without personal gain, this person shows a genuine desire to make our community a better place to live,” Sasser said, and “graciously dedicates hours of service to various organizations.”

Sasser then addressed Martin: “Cliff, you have contributed countless hours, volunteer hours, to the chamber and other community organizations in our area. You served on the chamber board since 2005, in various positions, board member, president, past president, as well as multiple chairs and co-chairs of chamber committees.

“You financially supported the chamber and other organizations every single year. You helped mentor other leaders in our community,” he said.

He also brought the Ford Drive 4UR Community and Ford Drive 4UR School Community to Dade City, to benefit Pasco and Zephyrhills high schools, Sasser noted.

“You’re also a member of multiple philanthropic organizations,” Sasser added.

Martin and his wife, Joan, relocated to Port Charlotte in December, after Jarrett Automotive Group added another Ford dealership there. Sid Jarrett — grandson of original founder Dick Jarrett — took over Jarrett Ford Inc., at 38300 Dick Jarrett Way.

Sasser said the community was sad to see Martin go.

But, the chamber president added: “We really thank you for all of your years of hard work and involvement with the chamber.”

Martin, accompanied by his wife, traveled from Port Charlotte to receive the award.

He expressed his gratitude for the recognition.

“This is a great community,” Martin said. “I never thought I’d be receiving the award after 16 years of voting on who was getting it.”

Published April 28, 2021

Pasco County Schools hits million-meal mark

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Pasco County Schools has delivered more than a million meals to students since school campuses closed.

The district has been serving bagged meals at numerous sites and bus stops to provide meals to students who, in many cases, rely on schools for their only reliable source of food.

State Rep. Randy Maggard, left, and Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore worked with about 50 other volunteers to distribute 33,000 pounds of food at a Farm Share event on May 20 at The Shops at Wiregrass. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

Since March 23, when the district began its remote feeding efforts, the district has served 1,095,537 meals, according to Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services.

The district has been serving 10 meals per student age 18 and under, at each of its locations, accounting for five days’ worth of meals, including a breakfast and lunch for each day.

Last week, it served an additional five meals because the operation is closed this week.

Next week, it reopens on June 2. Check the district’s website for locations because some of them have been closed and consolidated with other locations.

The district also had three Farm Fresh Pop-ups last week — at Cypress Creek Middle High, Anclote High and Centennial Middle School.

The district’s maintenance team served 2,300 boxes of vegetables, weighing 10 pounds each, at those three sites.

Those aren’t the only efforts to help provide food for children and families in need, during this coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic.

Sunlake High School and Land O’ Lakes High School collected more than 2,000 pounds of food for the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry, in their COVID-19 Quarantine Butterbowl.

An example of the fresh vegetable boxes being distributed through Farm Fresh Pop-ups organized by Pasco County Schools. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

“This week’s Butterbowl has ended, and the winner is the community,” tweeted Ric Mellin, principal at Land O’ Lakes High School. The donations exceeded expectations, he noted.

“Both schools should be proud of what they accomplished,” Mellin wrote.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, State Rep. Randy Maggard and more than 50 volunteers helped distribute 33,000 pounds of food to an estimated 700 cars on May 20 at The Shops at Wiregrass, according to Andy Taylor, Mike Moore’s aide.

A group of Saint Leo University students also were among the volunteers.

Meanwhile, food pantries are helping to put food on the tables of those in need, too.

Make a Difference Inc., will have a Mobile Food Pantry on May 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 37722 State Road 52. No identification is required, and the food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Atonement Lutheran Church, at 29617 State Road 54, has reopened its Helping Hands Food Pantry, and is providing a drive-thru service on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The church is observing social distancing restrictions.

Father and Son Love Ministries, at 21418 Carson Drive in Land O’ Lakes, operates a food pantry on Tuesdays, from noon to 2 p.m.; Fridays, from noon to 3 p.m.; and on Sundays, starting at 12:30 p.m.

Pastor C.J. Johns Sr., stands outside the new location for the Father and Sons Love Ministries, at 21418 Carson Drive, in Land O’ Lakes. The church has a food pantry and has noticed a much broader range of people coming in to pick up food items to help their families during this time of pandemic. (B.C. Manion)

On one recent Friday afternoon, the Land O’ Lakes pantry served 174 people.

The ministry has marked its floor to guide people through its pantry, in order to practice social distancing.

Pastor C.J. Johns Sr., said the pantry is serving a broader range of people because of economic impacts caused by the pandemic. Before, about three-quarters using the food pantry were elderly, but now they make up just about half.

Besides offering the pantry, the church also will make deliveries to people who are unable to come there.

Also, the First Presbyterian Church, at 5510 19th St., in Zephyrhills, is serving a free take-out meal every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the church.

Before heading out to any food pantry, it’s a good idea to call ahead or check the website to get the latest information on the days and hours of operation.

Published May 27, 2020