Historic day
Same sex marriages granted
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Big wings at Witham Field Wings of Freedom lands in Stuart
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Model gets the NYC call
Kate to walk at NYC Fashion Week
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ST. LUCIE WEST • TRADITION
YourVoiceWeekly.com VOL. 3/ISSUE 10
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015
Prize-winning skills Charity’s toy drive has best year ever Brandon Zeris STAFF WRITER
bzeris@YourVoiceWeekly.com
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A local nonprofit organization had its best holiday gift drive ever this year. Guardians for New Futures, a St. Lucie West-based organization serving the Treasure Coast, provided more than 3,000 gifts to about 450 abused and neglected children during the holiday season. “This was our best gift drive yet. Words cannot describe what this means to the children and those of us dedicated to their well-being,” Guardians for New Futures President Debbie Butler said. This year’s total was well over
the group’s typical yield. Over the past six years, the organization has secured 5,000 gifts. It’s important to raise that rate when kids in need are at stake, Butler said. “I think several things helped increase participation in the gift drive this year. One: awareness regarding the unbelievable number of maltreated children in care in our community. Thankfully, our annual child summit continues to gain recognition and participation which has also helped us with community outreach and awareness with regard to the numbers and needs of the children,” she said. “Two: specific requests of the children. Our community is
See GUARDIANS page A3
Pond property deal done Brandon Zeris STAFF WRITER
Mitch Kloorfain/chief photographer Alex Lumsden, 13, of St. Lucie West pulls out the ‘Sonata Pathétique’ by Beethoven during a performance of students by Petrova Jones Music company for the residents at the Palm City Nursing and Rehab Center Sunday, Dec. 28. Lumsden went on to win a talent completion two nights later. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FORT PIERCE, FL PERMIT NO. 248 ECRWSS
Local Postal Customer
bzeris@YourVoiceWeekly.com
ST. LUCIE WEST — The deal is done. St. Lucie West Services District
staff closed the deal Dec. 22 on a 12.45-acre site at the northwest corner of Cashmere and St. Lucie West boulevards to help with stormwater runoff. The parcel, formally owned by Martin Memorial, used to be the target for a Walmart grocery store, but Port St. Lucie City Council denied the developer’s
See POND page A12 16047
Services district closes on land for retention pond