Bloomingdale/FishHawk
Chalklines Educational Feature
39
August 2022
Volume 21, Issue 8
See Page 36
Ph: 813-657-2418
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR TRAVIS MANION FOUNDATION 9/11 HEROES RUN
By Madeline Gardner
On Saturday, Septemrucking or volunteering. ber 10, the Travis Manion Amici’s Pizza & Pasta, loFoundation will host its cated in the Park Square 9/11 Heroes Run in Lithia Plaza, where the run will at FishHawk Ranch at 8 be held, hands out pizza to a.m. While this nationthe participants as one of al service organization the businesses involved in for veterans started this this event annually. Ownevent in 2008, this will be er John Santivasci, who the seventh year that Fishwas working in New York Hawk has hosted it on a during the September local level in remembrance 11 attacks, believes that for all the heroes of 9/11, the 9/11 Heroes Run is a including the hundreds of The 9/11 Heroes Run encourages great way to highlight the participation by local residents first responders who lost strength of the town and their lives serving that day. and businesses in the community, the committed effort to While the event is held such as John Santivasci, owner of being grateful for those Amici’s Pizza & Pasta. in 90 different locations who did and still do serve. around the world “9/11, everyone annually and reknows something corded 60,000 or felt someparticipants for thing — had their this event last heart drop out year alone, the run of their chest at initially began as that moment no grassroots effort matter where they to honor Marine were, even if they First Lieutenant weren’t in New Travis Manion by York,” said Sanhis family. Before The 9/11 Heroes Run event is hosted in remembrance tivasci. “And this of all the heroes of 9/11 who lost their lives while he was deployed particular town is serving that day. to Iraq in 2007 really a military where he was killed community. This in action, he visited particular time of New York City and year, we all come Rescue One, which together.” had lost almost all The proceeds of its men on the day of the September 11 at- the event support the Travis Manion Fountacks. Touched by such acts of bravery, the dation, which strives to unite and strengthHeroes Run subsequently serves to express en communities by training, developing and gratitude for and continue the legacies of highlighting the role models that lead them. Manion, veterans and first responders who Organized locally by Col. Beau Higgins, wife served in or have served since 9/11. Elizabeth and his team of volunteers hanWhile the run serves to benefit this dle registrations and questions and were national organization and cause, it also instrumental in bringing this event to the connects members of the community on FishHawk community after Higgins served a local level to remember the tragedy of with Manion on a prior tour. 9/11 by encouraging citizens of any age For more information and to register, visto participate either by running, walking, it www.911heroesrun.org.
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
e n lotus presents operatio the
th ANNUAL
9
VALRICO YOUTH RECOVERING AT HOME AFTER LIGHTNING STRIKE
By Michelle Caceres
River Hills resident and lightning strike victim Levi Stock is recovering at home with his family.
A River Hills resident struck by lightning near Riverview’s Williams Park on June 30, is making progress on the road to recovery. While Levi Stock, 11, doesn’t remember much of what happened that day, it’s a day his family will never forget. He and his parents, along with his 9-year-old sister, Ivy, were on the family’s Ranger fishing boat when the strike occurred. His father, Derek, had taken a half-day off work to spend time with his two youngest children while his older children (Maya, 15, and Toby, 12) were at a church camp. The family put the boat in the water at Williams Park and then spent some time fishing. As the afternoon got warmer, the family decided to anchor off Pine Key Tampa Bay, also known as Beer Can Island, to cool off by swimming in the bay. Derek noticed dark clouds rolling in from the west, so they decided to head back to Williams Park. “We thought we were being proactive because we were one of the first boats to leave the island,” he said. They approached the boat ramp, feeling relief that they would soon be off the water. While they could see lightning strikes far off in the distance, the sun was shining and it hadn’t started rain-
ing yet. Levi was at the front of the bow, getting ready to jump off with a rope to dock the boat when a bolt of lightning struck him, entering through his tailbone and exiting out his left foot. The force stopped his heart and knocked him into the water. His dad quickly jumped into the water after him and the pair were pulled out of the water by good Samaritans, who hauled them onto their boat. Levi was unresponsive, so his dad immediately began performing CPR while his mom called 911 from their own boat. A few frantic minutes later, sheriff’s officers arrived and attached Levi to an automated external defibrillator. An ambulance arrived soon after and rushed the boy to Tampa General Hospital. When his family, who had driven separately, arrived at the hospital, he was Continued on Page 12...
IN THIS ISSUE: NEW BAND DIRECTOR........................PG 3 LARGEST SWIM LESSON ................PG 11 EYE ON BUSINESS .............................PG 25 BRIGHT FUTURES CHANGES........PG 37
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
Postal Customer
ECRWSS EDDM
T RmeUmoN B N A l V ria Y .. .. D .. .. N M..A ........................
E IVy SCHOOL DR SUPPLY yyy
HELP US HONOR THE MEMORY OF A TEACHER WHO IMPACTED CHILDREN THROUGH HER compassion & SELFLESS DEDICATION TO EDUCATION.
August 1st - August 31st Help us collect supplies for Title 1 Schools in the area! This year we will be listing drop-off locations as they become available. For additional information or to become a drop-off location contact: Melanie Brockmeier-Jordy at 813-541-8195 or MelanieBrockmeier@gmail.com.
As always, thank you so much for your generosity!
“Mandy was a wonderful teacher who dedicated her career to helping under privileged students and would donate her own money to buy supplies for kids in need,” said Operation Lotus founder Melanie Brockmeier-Jordy. After she passed, an annual school supply drive started to help underprivileged families of Hillsborough County. See full article on page 27.
Not to be combined with any other offer. Only valid at Riverview, FL - Boyette location.
8/31/22
$40 OFF BRAKES Includes Free Brake Inspection Not to be combined with any other offer. Only valid at Riverview, FL - Boyette location.
8/31/22