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The Ledger

April 24, 2022 at 5:11 AM·3 min read

Randa Richter receives sheriff’s recognition

SPCA Florida’s Humane Programs and Public Media Director Randa Richter was recognized by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for her dedication and concern for Polk County animals, and for her support and commitment to Polk County Animal Control. SPCA Florida is committed to helping Polk County Animal Control reduce euthanasia numbers, transfer animals to SPCA Florida for medical care and adoption, and achieve the goal of 2025 No Kill Polk County Initiative. Richter is an 11-year veteran with SPCA Florida. To learn more about SPCA Florida’s programs, adoption animals and public medical hospital, visit www.spcaflorida.org or call 863-577-4600.

First Friday Kids Support Group

The First Friday Kids Support Group received a $5,000 grant from GiveWell Community Foundation through an Impact Polk grant from the George W. Jenkins Fund to support First Friday Kids Support Group Weekend Backpack Program. Each school year, the group purchases and provides weekend backpacks of food for qualified students at Davenport School of The Arts and CODE Academy. Since 2013, First Friday Kids Support group has provided more than 13,000 weekend backpacks food for children in Polk County. The organization raises money through bingo events, raffles, coin collection, direct financial support, grants and in-kind donation support from individuals and businesses. First Friday Kids Support Group is a tax deductible 501-3C organization. Contact Vince Edlebeck at 407-873-1918 or vedlebeck@yahoo.com.

Garden Club awards scholarships

The Garden Club of Lakeland held its annual awards luncheon at Grasslands Golf & Country Club on April 6, attended by 63 members and guests. The club presented three students of Malcolm Manners, Ph.D., of Florida Southern College with a $500 scholarship each to help further their education in the field of horticulture. The students were: Mollie Tew of Kathleen, Dylan Hacker of Punta Gorda and Abigail Lillibridge of Myakka.

Pictured is one of the SouthState Bank foursome teams, left to right, Matthew Vegter, Bryan Klepper, Mike Stiles and David Dube.

Tourney for Heart for Winter Haven

On April 4, 110 golfers gathered for the Seventh Annual Heart for Winter Haven Golf Tournament, presented by SouthState Bank, at The Country Club of Winter Haven. This event takes place each spring to benefit Heart for Winter Haven, a local 501(c)(3) that exists to build community between all sectors of the city (churches, businesses, nonprofits and city leadership) to alleviate poverty, in all its forms. Through the support of many people, the goal to raise $50,000 was met.

Nicole Sealey, vice president of education, Lake Wales Heritage; Robert Connors, president, Lake Wales Heritage; Dyer General Manager David Dlugokecki; and Mary Walkup, treasurer of Lake Wales Heritage, pictured left to right.

Dyer Difference Award

On April 30, Olmsted Day in the Park will be held to commemorate what would have been architect Frederick Law Olmsted’s 200th birthday. In late 1929, Olmsted and Edward Bok designed a master plan for Lake Wales, with plans to include small parks, plenty of trees, and a place to stroll the downtown area. Lake Wales Heritage is working to replant some of the thousands of trees included in Olmsted’s original plan for Lake Wales. The April Dyer Difference Award will help fund the replanting of 34 Magnolia Grandiflora trees on Lakeshore Boulevard. Each month, members of the Dyer family and Dyer Kia and Dyer Chevrolet team select one non-profit organization to receive that month’s recognition and $3,000 award. To nominate a non-profit organization from Polk County for the Dyer Difference Award, visit www.dyerdifference.org.

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This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Local awards and fund raising

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