HIGH 5 INC. TO HOST FREE COMMUNITY EVENT FOR 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

By Lily Belcher

“Her two sons still remain in the program today, and High 5/ Team TRIDENT wanted to create a way to celebrate her forever,” said Spano. “… All proceeds benefit our special-needs education pillar by providing supplies and resources for projects just like this one.”

Marine Families, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is dedicated to their mission to honor, support, educate and inspire military, veterans and their families. Marine Families was founded in 2004 by Cyd Deathe, the organization’s executive director.

By Kathy L. Collins

Ribbon Project. They o f er free, personalized deployment ribbons to Marine families all over the globe.

High 5 Inc. is celebrating its 60th anniversary on Saturday, May 20 with free activities and games for the community and the dedication of their new memorial garden.

The event will be held to celebrate 60 years of teaching community members of all ages how to swim and be safe in the water. High 5 will host games, guest speakers, activities and food for those who come to the celebration.

“This will be a free community event where not only will we be celebrating 60 years of impact and driving our mission in the Brandon community and beyond, but we will also be hosting our Blue Wave Swim-A-Thon, Candy Corsi Memorial Garden Dedication, Pool Project Dedication [and] celebrating National Learn to Swim Day,” said director of family experience Jada Spano.

The Memorial Garden will be dedicated to Candy Corsi, former director of Training and Recreation for the Intellectually Disabled, Enhancing Their Natural Talents (TRIDENT), who passed away in 2021.

Team TRIDENT has learned hydroponics and basic craftsmanship skills during the construction of the memorial garden. While the garden is still being built, it will be dedicated at the event to encourage the community to visit in the future.

In addition to six decades of teaching individuals how to swim, High 5 has served the community with an emphasis on its five pillars: after-school, learn to swim, special-needs education, sports and recreation and community partnerships.

“We encourage families, friends, athletes, past/present program participants, community leaders and businesses, and everyone else, to come enjoy this memorable day with us,” said Spano.

The anniversary celebration will take place at the High 5 facility from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. High 5 is located of U.S. Highway 60 on Beverly Boulevard.

To donate to the memorial garden, visit https://qtego.net/donate/trident. For information on the nonprofit organization, visit www.high5inc.org or call 813-689-0908.

Deathe said, “I established Marine Families because my son was going into the Marines, and I knew he was going to war. I founded the organization because I needed support.”

Marine Families, a local nonproft, supports military, veterans and their families in a variety of ways, from monthly lunches and free Yellow Deployment Ribbons to the Krewe of Semper Fi.

To date, Marine Families has provided over 5,000 ribbons. The Yellow Ribbons are a reminder to all that military men and women who are deployed serve in harm’s way. If you have a deployed service person in your family, you can fill out a form to request a ribbon by visiting www.militaryfamilies.org.

Marine Families is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting military, veterans and their families. United in teamwork, they continue to improve events, programs and projects ofered by the organization.

Marine Families’ projects include providing support to local Marines through monthly lunches ofered at the 4th AAVBN (Assault Amphibian Battalion) Marine Base located at 5121 Gandy Blvd. in Tampa. Each month, Marine Families provides lunch. This is done in partnership with local businesses and organizations that sponsor the meal. If you are interested in partnering with Marine Families on this project, please call Deathe at 813965-2682.

Marine Families also ofers a Yellow

Marine Families also sponsors Krewe of Semper Fi. It has a float and takes local military, veterans and their families during Tampa’s parade season. The Krewe of Semper Fi was established in 2018.

Military, veterans and their families who live locally in the Greater Brandon area can benefit from the projects and programs o f ered by Military Families. It has 35 regular volunteers but is always in need of hardworking volunteers. Moreover, as this is an all-volunteer organization, donations in any amount are greatly appreciated.

Deathe said, “Although we are not in war, we have military men and women who need our support on a daily basis.”

For information, visit www.marinefamilies.org.