Port Richey ball to honor first responders, veterans
PORT RICHEY — Tickets are on sale for the city’s annual Mayor’s Ball, which will honor first responders and veterans on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey.
Tickets cost $125 per person. A table of eight is $900, a savings of $100. Admission includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dessert and dancing.
Proceeds benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen first responders and service members.
For more information, email admin@cityofportrichey.gov or call 727-835-1219.
New Port Richey man to ride in cancer fundraiser
NEW PORT RICHEY — Barry Davis of New Port Richey will ride in this year’s Pan-Mass Challenge, a two-day bike-a-thon across Massachusetts that raises money for cancer research and care.
The ride is Aug. 1-2. Organizers expect more than 6,000 cyclists and 4,000 volunteers, with routes ranging from 25 to 177 miles.
Every dollar raised by riders goes to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston through the Jimmy Fund, according to the event’s organizers. This year’s fundraising goal is $79 million.
Founded in 1980, the Pan-Mass Challenge has raised $1.125 billion for Dana-Farber and bills itself as the world’s largest single athletic fundraiser.
“The theme for this year’s PMC, which is ‘now, more than ever,’ underscores the paramount importance of every single dollar raised,” founder and chairman Billy Starr said.
To donate to Davis’ ride, visit profile.pmc.org/BD0003. Registration is still open at pmc.org.
Suncoast offers members a year without payments
Suncoast Credit Union is running its “Year of No Payments Giveaway” for a second year, with three members set to win a year of rent, mortgage or car payments.
New members who join online or at any branch through Dec. 31 get one entry. Existing members can enter by downloading and logging into the credit union’s new mobile app.
The promotion has three drawing periods: July 1 to Aug. 31, Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. Entries carry over from one period to the next.
Suncoast awarded the prize to two members last year, including a Wesley Chapel man who chose a year of mortgage payments.
Details are at Suncoast.com/NoPayments.
Pasco shoe drive collects for students
Collection boxes are out for the 11th annual Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive, which supplies new shoes and socks to Pasco County students.
The drive runs through Oct. 16. Donations are accepted at Pasco County government buildings and at the offices of the clerk and comptroller, property appraiser and tax collector.
Organizers ask for new children’s shoes in all sizes, adult shoes in sizes 10 to 13 and socks in all sizes in neutral colors. Shoes must be closed-toe; no flip-flops.
The drive has collected more than 24,000 pairs of shoes and 58,000 pairs of socks since 2016. School social workers distribute them to students.
“Together, we’re helping students start the school year with confidence and support,” said County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano.
Car dealers fund Habitat home in Pasco
WESLEY CHAPEL — Three car dealerships have pledged $130,000 to Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County to cover the cost of a single home.
Wesley Chapel Toyota, Wesley Chapel Mazda and Wesley Chapel Chevrolet are splitting the gift, which the nonprofit calls a whole home sponsorship. The money will pay for construction of a house in east or central Pasco County for a family selected through Habitat’s homeownership program.
Families in the program work alongside volunteers on the construction, take financial education classes and then buy the home with an affordable mortgage.
“Their collective commitment will help build not only a house, but a foundation for stability, opportunity, and hope for a local family,” said Crystal Lazar, CEO of the Pasco Habitat affiliate.
Information on volunteering and sponsorships is at habitatpasco.org.
Students build oyster habitat off Pasco coast
NEW PORT RICHEY — Students from four Pasco County high schools spent the morning on July 22 restoring oyster habitat at the Energy and Marine Center.
Volunteers from River Ridge, Land O’ Lakes, Wiregrass Ranch and Hudson high schools built oyster domes and weighed oyster gardens at the center, then took a boat to Durney Key to work on restoration there.
The students worked with Josh McCart, a teacher at the center.
Hospice thrift store moving to Dade City
DADE CITY — A thrift store that raises money for hospice care is moving from Zephyrhills to Dade City, into a 10,000-square-foot space at 12709 U.S. 301.
Life’s Treasures Thrift Store is expected to open at the new location by October. It sells donated clothing, furniture, antiques, books, jewelry and home goods.
The store is run by the Chapters Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of Chapters Health System, which operates HPH Hospice and LifePath Hospice. The foundation says it raises more than $5.2 million a year to help patients who cannot afford hospice, home health or palliative care.
The new site sits at U.S. 301 and Morningside Drive. Chapters has five thrift stores in the Tampa Bay area and has leased space for another in The Villages.
New Port Richey martial arts instructor named to Who’s Who
NEW PORT RICHEY — John Graden, a New Port Richey martial arts instructor and author, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who.
Graden is a former world kickboxing champion and the founder of the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association, an organization for martial arts school owners and instructors. He has written several books on teaching and running martial arts schools.