Duke Energy donations
The Duke Energy Foundation recently increased its contribution to relief agencies to $1 million to assist communities recovering from Hurricane Irma. They announced a donation of $750,000 to assist organizations and agencies that provide services during disaster relief, adding to the $250,000 donation Sept. 11. Local community agencies in Duke Energy's service territories in Florida will get $350,000, $250,000 will go to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, $250,000 will go to 14 United Way agencies serving Duke Energy communities and $150,000 will go to Duke Energy's Energy Neighbor Fund. The foundation is also matching employee donations to hurricane relief efforts, resulting in a company match of more than $108,000 for hurricanes Harvey and Irma for a total donation of $216,000. For more information, visit duke-energy.com/foundation.
Tampa Bay Morning Blend
The Lakeland-based singing group MYSYSTA appeared on ABC's Tampa Bay Morning Blend on Dec. 4. The show was re-aired Dec. 25 and Dec. 27. Members include four sisters, Essence, Emerald, Kershon and Charliana Speights.
Girl's Inc. Sock Tree
Members of the Woman's Club of Winter Haven — Cheryl Price, Lisa Brown, Peggy Fuller, Peggy Threlkel, Suzanne Sherry and Jane McGinnis — purchased socks and decorated the Christmas tree at Girls Inc. of Winter Haven. When the girls left for the holiday break, they each got a pair for themselves and one to give to a relative or friend.
Holiday Pack A Sack
Catholic Charities of Polk County Ministries recently held its Holiday Pack A Sack event at Resurrection Catholic Church in Lakeland. About 125 volunteers packed 600 Publix bags full of groceries, totaling 6,400 meals, donated from 30 different community partners.
KofC Council 4726
The Knights of Columbus Dr. L.J. O'Rourke Council 4726 of Winter Haven named Tom Norton Knight of the Month for December and Tom and Betsy Berdis were named Family of the Month. The council teamed with St. Joseph Catholic School for its annual Youth Spelling Bee on Nov. 28. Twenty students competed more than five rounds in two age divisions. Sofia Alvarez, fifth grade, won the Fifth and Sixth grade division and Jasmin Pruthi won the seventh and eighth grade division. Tom Berdis of the Frank Durbin Assembly 1500 served as one of the judges. The council's Tootsie Roll Drive begins this month with stops at Winn Dixie in Auburndale on Jan. 11-13, Harveys Supermarket in Winter Haven Jan. 19-20 and Publix on Spirit Lake Road in Winter Haven Jan. 25-27. The Columbiettes will have a bake sale Jan. 28, selling after each Mass at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Winter Haven. For more information on the council, call 863-967-0815.
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to Viktor Henriksen who turns 2 on Jan. 10, Charlotte "Charlie" Elaine Howell who turns 6 on Jan. 11 and Cotton Upthegrove who turns 7 on Jan. 12
Happy anniversary
Happy anniversary to Bill and Candy Rowlette who celebrate 27 years Jan. 12.
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