Photos

Melissa Macksey and Emily Briner were educating visitors on how to keep the beaches turtle-friendly.

Ava Burton-Harper was happy with her face painting.

Volunteer Laurie Schmitt spoke with visitors about composting.

Keira, Xiamara, Alana and Celena Eberly had their faces painted.

East County's David and Margie Brumbaugh checked out the facility.

Funeral Service Assistant Paul Laramee visits with East County's Thomas and Dawn Murphy.

Visitors gather in the tent outside for live music by Kettle of Fish, and catering by Mission BBQ.

The new center stands at 4310 Solutions Lane, Bradenton, FL.

Jason Toale addresses the crowd.

Family Service Counselor Al Connizzo chats with Jeymie and Dominic Sorrentino, who lent the parking lot of their business next door, Affinity Wellness 4 Life, for the event.

Jeff Toale, his father Robert Toale, his mother Debbie Toale, and his brother Jason Toale, have opened the Celebration of Life Center.

Robert and Pamela Rice of Copperleaf, and Jane Cyran and Ron Cyran of Eagle Trace, enjoy the live music.

Sheryl Perkins current president of the Lakewood Ranch Gardening Club, Phyllis Weber, former president, and Perkins' husband Sunny Thompkins, take a seat in the dining hall.

Sabrina Abbott of West Bradenton spoons some coleslaw for Tricia Brocco of Country Club.

Robert Toale cuts the ribbon for the Celebration of Life Center.

In front, Sheryl Perkins, president of the Lakewood Ranch Gardening Club, meets David and Margie Brumbaugh, and Gene and Jackie Su Brumbaugh.

Good Liquid Brewing Company's Mike Scalzi pours a beverage for Lakewood Ranch's Robert Davis.

Marcia LeWand and Jack Jernigan of Lakewood Ranch enjoy the Celebration of Life Center.

HR Element's Dennis Butt and Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Vice President Dan Sidler check out the facility.

Robin Swenson plays keyboard for Kettle of Fish at the open house party.

East County's Julie Sullivan and Shannon Sullivan came to explore the facility, which Julie Sullivan called "beautiful."

Tidewell Hospice employees Tami Caruso, Maria Paliotta and Kristen Franke, chat over barbecue during the open house.

Sidney Lamarre, who is 11, has fun playing a dice game that results in splashing other campers and Monica Welde, the owner of Bearadise Ranch, with water.

Mateo Murariu, who is 8, tries to throw water onto Renee Riddle, who is a camp leader.

Sidney Lamarre prepares to launch a water balloon. Lamarre says the water activities are her favorite part of camp besides learning about bears.

Bjorn Welde-Thomas, who is 6, and Mateo Murariu, who is 8, rock out with blow-up guitars while other campers sing karaoke.

Emmy Dyer, Sidney Lamarre, Mia Dyer and Leighton Cracchiola sing "Can't Stop the Feeling" during karaoke.

Mateo Murariu, who is 8, tries to squirt water on Bjorn Welde-Thomas, who is 6. Campers went on to play with water balloons, sing karaoke and participate in other activities.

Bjorn Welde-Thomas, who is 6, makes a run for it as other campers try to squirt him with water guns.

Campers Emmy Dyer, Leighton Cracchiola, Sidney Lamarre, Bjorn Welde-Thomas, Mia Dyer and Mateo Murariu watch in amazement as Bruno, a bear, shows off some of his tricks.

Monica Welde, owner of Bearadise Ranch, gives treats to Bambi and Bruno.

Emmy Dyer, who is 6, and Matea Murariu, who is 8, watch over the bears. The campers spend each morning of camp learning about bears.

Matea Murariu, Mia Dyer, Emmy Dyer, Sidney Lamarre and Leighton Cracchiola sing the Kamp Kodiak song.

Leighton Cracchiola and Sidney Lamarre, who are both 11, get a break from the heat while playing with squirt guns.

Monica Welde, owner of Bearadise Ranch, shows off some tricks with Bambi and Bruno. Bruno is able to catch rings and put them around his neck.

Sidney Lamarre, Mateo Murariu, Emmy Dyer, Bjorn Welde-Thomas, Leighton Cracchiola and Mia Dyer have fun acting like they are at a campout.

Matea Murariu, Emmy Dyer, Mia Dyer, Leighton Cracchiola and Sidney Lamarre spend time learning about every bear at Bearadise Ranch from owner Monica Welde.

Mia Dyer, who is 10, shows a photo of Lucy, a bear at Bearadise Ranch, performing with Lucille Ball. Dyer learned facts about every bear at Bearadise Ranch.

Sidney Lamarre and Leighton Cracchiola, who are both 11 years old, show off the bear visors they made. Lamarre and Cracchiola both say their favorite animal is a bear, which is why they wanted to participate in Kamp Kodiak.

Volunteers gathered at 8 a.m. to clean up Ted Sperling Park for World Oceans Day.

Thousand of bottle caps are picked up in the parking lot every month.

Roxanne Carroll, Cindy Jaramillo, Julia Montei, and Julianna Burns

The Women's Council of REALTORS, Mote Marine and Sarasota County joined forces to get Ted Sperling Park cleaned up for World Oceans Day.

Rich and Betty Ritter volunteered to pick up trash on Lido Beach for World Oceans Day.

Rich and Betty Ritter drove from Lakewood Ranch to clean up Lido Beach.

Michelle Crabtree filled her bag with cans, beer caps, cigarette butts, and twist ties.

Justin Johnson and Ariana Gillooly took the morning off to pick up garbage.

Volunteers collected 150 pounds of trash in support of World Oceans Day.