NONPROFIT NEWS: Girl Scouts Fest, veterans memorial crosses and FPRA awards

Attendees enjoy a previous Girl Scouts event. [Photo courtesy Girl Scouts of West Central Florida]

Girl Scout Fest is Sept. 28

Girls and their families are invited to the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s annual Girl Scout Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

The event is open to girls of all ages and their families. Participants will explore Girl Scouts’ four program pillars—entrepreneurship, life skills, outdoors and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The fairground’s rural Florida living history museum, Cracker Country, will be open to all attendees. Throughout the day, girls will have many opportunities to earn Girl Scout badges and walk away with multiple free event patches, while supplies last.

The cost to attend is $5 per person, which includes all activities and a Girl Scout Fest patch. Attendees can pre-register online or at the event. Walk-ups are welcome. The Florida State Fairgrounds charges $10 per vehicle for parking. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

To learn more, go to gswcf.org/gsfest

Veterans’ friends group launches cross program

The Friends of Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, Inc., have announced a new program to honor service members who have died.

Families can now honor deceased loved ones and friends by purchasing a cross that has the name, branch of service and military conflict in which the veteran served, as applicable, and comes with a mounted flag.

The crosses will be displayed at the Marion County Veterans Memorial Park for a full week before and a full week after Memorial Day and Veterans Day every year.

Crosses can be purchased by calling (352) 804-6953.

To learn more, go to marionvetpark.com

[Photo courtesy Friends of Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, Inc.]

FPRA chapter announces awards

The Florida Public Relations Association Ocala Chapter held its annual awards banquet and gala on Aug. 30 at the Appleton Museum of Art. The event celebrated the achievements of communication professionals and recognized contributions of chapter members and community leaders.

The awards included:

• Individual Communicator of the Year: Tammy Gantt from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owner’s Association
• Institutional Communicator of the Year: 352Today
• Outstanding Member Award: Wendy Williams from the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Inc.
• Toni James, APR, CPRC PACEsetter of the Year: Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC: Greg Davis: Lindsay Tozer
• Lifetime Achievement in Communications: Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC
• Joe Curley APR, CPRC Rising Leader Award: Greg Davis
• FPRA State President’s Award: Lindsay Tozer
• FPRA 65th Golden Image Awards: Awards of Distinction: Kristina Donohue, APR and Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC; Pinnacle Award: Tom Hyle and Southwest Water Management District team

The evening included installation of the 2024-2025 board of directors and the unveiling of the Beverly Brown, APR, Legacy Scholarship fund, in memory of a beloved chapter member who passed away in July.

To learn more, go to fpraocala.org