News Briefs

+ Fifth Third Bank hosts school supply drive
Fifth Third Bank has partnered with the Education Foundation of Manatee to collect school supplies for children in need.

The bank will host its fourth annual “Back to School” Supply Drive now through Aug. 1. All Fifth Third financial centers in Manatee and Sarasota counties are accepting donations of school supplies, such as glue sticks, crayons, index cards, pencils, erasers, paper, notebooks, binders, markers, hand sanitizer and flash drives.

Based on the number of free and reduced-cost lunches provided in Manatee County, the foundation estimates the poverty rate is at least 52%.
 
+ Manatee Glens, Coalition seek volunteers
Manatee Glens and the Safe Children Coalition are recruiting volunteer parent aides for a new program to coach and mentor families at risk of child abuse or neglect.

Volunteers receive training and guidance and then commit up to four hours per week with a family; tasks include visiting homes, actively engaging parents and helping them develop basic life and family skills.
“This model is working,” says Manatee Glens President and CEO Mary Ruiz. “By creating a team of volunteer parent aides, we are keeping families together who are overwhelmed by life circumstances.”

Parent aides focus on problem-solving skills, child safety, health care, parenting and social support. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a high school graduate or have a GED and have their own transportation. They also must pass all background checks. All parent aides receive professional supervision and support and agree to visit the family they are serving once or twice each week.

Call Sheri Worden at 721-7670 or Calaina Goodyear at 782-4319.

+ New homes sales in Lakewood still climbing
Lakewood Ranch-based builder and developer Neal Communities reported 12 new homes sold in June in its Central Park community, bringing total new home sales in the community to more than 300 since its opening in 2010.

Central Park also led the way in sales among nine Neal neighborhoods, which together saw 42 homes sold in June. Neal’s 282 sales year to date have the company up 23.5% from June of last year.

Meetings & Agendas
• Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts 1, 2, 4 and 5 and Inter-District Authority Board Meetings — 8 a.m. July 19, at 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
• Manatee County School Board Regular Meeting — 5:45 p.m. July 23, at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Land-use Meeting — 9 a.m. July 24, at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Budget Reconciliation Meeting — 9 a.m. July 26, at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton