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Hotel exec earns national award for helping teen
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There are a lot of pets in Pasco County with full bellies thanks to Lisa Bekiaris and those who donate to Raffle Rescue, her animal advocacy group that provides food for animals in need.
Giving pets a chance, by buying a chance By Michael Hinman mhinman@cnewspubs.com
Lisa Bekiaris can’t remember any time where the welfare of animals wasn’t forefront on her mind. She grew up around animals in Maryland, and was always quite involved with her 4-H program there.When Bekiaris moved to Florida several years ago, she stayed busy with work and other projects. But in 2008, she read a newspaper story that would change her focus. “It was a story about the tough times people were having, and many of them couldn’t even afford pet food,” she said. While a lot of needed attention goes to See PETS, page 12
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Daphne is just one of the many animals whose pet bowls have been filled, thanks to Raffle Rescue’s efforts throughout the county.
If you ask Todd Patrick, he did nothing more than anyone else would do if put in the same position. Word got to him that a teenager was living outside behind a supermarket, not far from a school he was attending.The temperatures were dropping to some of the coldest that Florida had seen in years, and the young man had nowhere to go. Patrick, the director of sales at Hampton Inn & Suites in Wesley Chapel, couldn’t stand the thought of him suffering or maybe even dying in the cold. He pulled out his credit card, went to the front desk of his hotel, and booked a room for the teen. Three months later, Patrick found himself in front of a conference phone with one of the chain’s vice presidents, Scott Schrank, on the other line.And Schrank had a surprise of his own for Patrick: a coveted Spirit of Hampton Award, a national honor only a handful of Hampton employees receive each year out of hundreds of applicants. “I love the fact that to you, people just don’t go unnoticed,” Schrank told Patrick. “This had nothing to do with hospitality, and that’s what I love about examples like this. You believe you were born to care, and you look for opportunities to give, and that’s what you did.” Patrick learned about the boy’s plight from Terri Williamson, a sales representative with The Laker/Lutz News. Williamson has had a strong working relationship with Hampton Inn general manager Janet Arnold for several years, and hoped Arnold could do See AWARD, page 12
Jo Van Bebber’s nurturing ways left an imprint By B.C. Manion bcmanion@cnewspubs.com
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When people talk about Alice Joan “Jo” Van Bebber, they’re quick to mention her nurturing ways, her zest for life, her culinary skills, and the fact that she was the first person to win the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na. Van Bebber, who was laid to rest on March 8, spent decades of her life serving her community. She was a vital member of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, serving the organization as its president and in nearly other capacity, said Cheryl Benton, one of Van Bebber’s dear friends. She always made newcomers feel welcome, quickly taking them under her wing and teaching them the ins and outs of the club, other members said. “I was a walk-in to the club,” Pat Serio said, noting she was attracted to the organization by its work to help survivors of spouse abuse. Serio recalled that as soon as she arrived, Van Bebber greeted her and began introducing her around. By the end of the meeting, Van Bebber already had figured out how to put Serio’s talents to work to help the club and the community. Beyond serving the local club, Van
Bebber also was involved at the district, state, national and international levels. When Van Bebber took ill, it was an “egregious blow” to the community, said Edwina Kraemer, another former woman’s club president and former Guv’na. Kraemer credited Van Bebber as being among a trio of women who recruited her to join the woman’s club. “Jo was my mentor,” Kraemer said. Van Bebber was vivacious and enjoyed entertaining, but she could be a stickler for details, club members said. COURTESY OF CHERYL BENTON “She could be a general,” Kraemer said.“She knew parlia- Jo Van Bebber was a fixture at community events in Lutz, mentary procedure, our bylaws including this holiday event where she joins Marilyn and standing rules. She could Wannamaker, right. quote the page and paragraph,” Kraemer said. dined together on the weekend, Besides her dedication to the woman’s Wannamaker said. “To me, we lost a truly club and to Lutz,Van Bebber was a devoted great lady.” mother and grandmother, said Marilyn Van Bebber died March 5. Her husband Wannamaker, another one of Van Bebber’s Bill preceded her in death, and she is surclose friends.Van Bebber also was involved vived by three sons: Bill, Greg and Wynn, and at the First United Methodist Church of a daughter Pam. Lutz. Van Bebber also is survived by nine Both women were widows and often grandchildren.