COMMUNITY
d r a w r fo
MOVING GAINESVILLE
story by Anastasia Sims photos by Carolina Watlington It’s early in the morning, and an annoying alarm is blaring until
Most of the money, Cimaglia explained, goes toward supplies and
it’s slapped off by a hand that’s broken out of the warm cocoon of
equipment. This is especially important for the voluntary fire and police
sheets. In the dreamlike haze of a brightly lit room, minutes seem to
programs and small counties in North-Central Florida. One of the
slowly tick by. But as everything seems to wake, the morning quickly
biggest — and most expensive — items is bulletproof vests. Cimaglia
becomes the crucial point where you must decide what the day is
said Grit is dedicated to helping servicemen and servicewomen get
going to look like. For some, it’s going back to bed and trying again
counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder or any other mental
in half an hour. For others, it’s begrudgingly getting out of bed and
illness. According to a study directed by Ellen Kirschman, a clinical
prepping for a long day. But, for the very select few, they spring
psychologist specializing in police psychology, around 19% of all
awake excited with the possibility of
sworn-in police officers struggle with
what the day may bring them.
PTSD. Most officers don’t admit to
Although this could be said for any place at any time, Gainesville is filled with people living out the Gator’s “Get Up, and Go” mantra. For some, “get up, and go” means “get up, and go make Gainesville a little better.” The Grit Foundation is a local nonprofit that supports first
For some, “get up, and go” means “get up, and go make Gainesville a little better.”
responders and hometown heroes in
emotional distress for fear of losing future promotions or getting pulled out of the force altogether. Although Cimaglia is currently a public relations senior at the University of Florida, her age hasn’t stopped her from making a difference in the local community. Working with Grit is give and take — especially with servicemen and servicewomen.
the Third Congressional District. Although it only started in January 2017, people like Natalie Cimaglia help raise awareness and money
“We should be wanting to run toward officers, not away,” Cimaglia said.
for the foundation. She’s been the acting development and marketing
“With everything going on and issues with police, [I think] officers need
manager since August, but she has been passionate about nonprofit
to know they aren’t cruel.”
work her whole life. In her position, she oversees all event planning and outreach for the organization, which means she’s heavily involved
Even though most of Cimaglia’s job is helping raise and manage
with the Grit gala, an event at the beginning of each year that helps
finances for Grit, she said one of the biggest aspects of the foundation
raise money for the following year.
is boosting and keeping the morale of our hometown heroes high. And for her, that starts with our local community.
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orange&blue magazine
