Care package makes an impact

On the Fourth of July, Siesta Key Oyster Bar held a cookout to raise money for the troops, specifically the 214th Fires Brigade, which is currently serving in Afghanistan. Beth Owen-Cipielewski’s son, Justin, serves with the brigade, and Owen-Cipielewski and the rest of the SKOB staff wanted to raise funds to send care packages oversees. There was also a banner for people to sign and write messages to the troops that Owen-Cipielewski packed up along with the requested items: dried fruit, tuna packs, magazines and protein bars. Recently, Owen-Cipielewski received an email from her son with a photo of himself and other soldiers holding up the signed banner.