Kindness Matters: no act of kindness is too small

MOUNT DORA POLICE PROVIDE CHRISTMAS CHEER TO DISTRESSED FAMILY

12/19/2018

It’s an emotional story of immense loss and thoughtful generosity.
Julio Martinez evacuated from Puerto Rico with his family after Hurricane Maria in October, 2017. With his pregnant wife, Viviana, and their young daughter, he came to stay with family in Mount Dora. After settling into their own small apartment with just clothes in a suitcase and a couch salvaged from the street, a caring apartment manager contacted Mount Dora Police Department’s (MDPD) Community Resource Officer, Ivy Severance, to inquire about assistance.

What came next was an avalanche of help. Severance assisted the Martinez family in finding essentials for their apartment and settling into their new life in Mount Dora. What seemed like a relatively happy ending, however, eventually took a tragic turn. Viviana became seriously ill and was hospitalized while visiting Puerto Rico. A bacterial infection landed her in two hospitals on the island before she passed away just two weeks after her son, Angel, was born.

ABOVE: Officer Ivy Severance and Assistant Police Chief Bell with the Martinez children.

Martinez returned to Mount Dora with his newborn son, but has been struggling to raise the children, so MDPD decided to help create a special Christmas for the family.

On Wednesday the Martinez family arrived at MDPD headquarters to find an abundance of gifts picked especially for them waiting under the tree. The eyes of the shy 7-year old girl lit up after unwrapping a doll, art supplies, Barbie, and of course, a Mr. Potato Head. Her baby brother received clothes, a large toy dump truck and a police car, which will no doubt keep him busy.

The Martinez family is just one of the families MDPD has helped this holiday season. During their recent Shop with a Cop event, officers took thirty pre-selected children on a $100 shopping spree at Target.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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LOCAL CHURCH OPENS COLD-WEATHER SHELTER TONIGHT

12/11/2018

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With temperatures expected to drop into the high 30's overnight, a Eustis church is opening its doors to those vulnerable to the cold weather.

LifePointe Church, located at 3551 E. Orange Avenue in Eustis will be providing shelter tonight (November 11) from 5:30 p.m. to Thursday, December 12 at 7 a.m.
Trinity Assembly of God, 200 Urick St., Fruitland Park will also be open during the same hours as LifePointe.

The Lake County Office of Emergency Management is assisting churches by providing sheltering supplies and the Lake County Community Services Department is providing food for families who will be staying overnight. Lake County Transit will offer assistance to those needing transport to shelters between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Citizens requesting transportation should call 352-742-2612.

During extreme cold-weather events, the Florida Division of Emergency Management reminds residents of the importance of the five P’s:

•    Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. Try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry.
•    Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay in.
•    Protect Plants: Cover cold-sensitive plants to protect them from the dangerous temperatures.
•    Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent them from freezing and breaking.
•    Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.

Non-profit and faith-based organizations who wish to offer sheltering assistance in the future should contact Lake County Emergency Management at 352-343-9420.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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LOCAL KIDS 'SHOP WITH A COP' TODAY

12/7/2018

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ABOVE: Officer Mike Garcia takes a student shopping during a previous "Shop with A Cop."

Every year a group of lucky local kids get a free Christmas shopping spree. This year is no different. Mount Dora Police Department (MDPD) and Target of Mount Dora will host the annual "Shop with a Cop" event on December 8.

Officers will accompany 30 pre-selected students from three Mount Dora schools to the local Target for a one-on-one shopping experience with a MDPD officer. Each child receives a $100 gift card they can use to buy the toys, clothing or shoes of their choice. The students and their families will also receive a large Christmas basket of food donated by Lake Cares Food Pantry.

"Shop with a Cop" is a program funded by the generosity of Target, Mount Dora citizens and businesses.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER TO MAKE SPECIAL DELIVERIES ON CHRISTMAS EVE

12/6/2018

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Pets top the wish list for many animal lovers this holiday season. This year families can surprise loved ones with a gift that keeps on giving: a shelter cat or dog delivered by a jolly elf on Christmas Eve!.

The Lake County Animal Shelter is hosting “Operation Santa Paws” on December 17 through 21 to anyone that pays the adoption fee and schedules their pet's arrival. There is no extra charge for this special delivery, but space is limited due to time constraints.

The shelter is also offering “pawtificates,” gift certificates allowing the recipient to adopt either one dog or two cats. They are available for purchase for $10 for two cats or $20 dollars for a dog at the shelter, and include the price of the adoption, vaccinations, microchip and spay or neuter.

“Our hope through these promotions, is to find forever homes for our homeless pets this holiday season. We always have a variety of wonderful animals waiting to meet their new family,” said Shelter Director Whitney Boylston.

Pets are a lifelong commitment, so families are reminded to consider their lifestyle and choose responsibly.

The shelter is located at 28123 County Road 561 in Tavares.
For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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LAKE COUNTY OFFERS FREE BIKES DURING ITS 'BICYCLE RE-CYCLE' PROGRAM

12/4/2018

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For the 10th year in a row, the Lake County Landfill is making one man’s trash, another man’s treasure - or transportation. Whether it’s a coveted holiday gift for a child, or the only form of transportation for an adult, the Bicycle Re-Cycle program has given out more than 1,000 discarded bicycles since 2009.

It began 10 years ago when Lake County’s Solid Waste Program employees at the landfill noticed perfectly good bikes being thrown away simply because children had outgrown them.

In addition, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Clermont Police Department and Eustis Police Department also donated a large portion of unclaimed bikes from their lost and found.

To obtain a bike through the Bicycle Re-Cycle program, visit the Lake County landfill located at 13130 County Landfill Road, Tavares, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is a limit of one bicycle per household per month, and recipients must be residents of Lake County (proof of residency required). Supplies are limited and bicycles may also be donated to the landfill during the same hours of operation.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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