News Archive
Gingerbread Magic Winners Announced
November 2011
The votes are in and the winners of the Gingerbread Magic exhibit were announced at the Gingerbread Magic Gala, Sunday, Nov. 20, at Volusia Mall.
"This year's entries are spectacular," said Craig Byrd, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida. "The judges had a difficult time selecting the winners since every single artpiece is a champion in creativity."
More than 150 people attended the gala sponsored by Bright House Networks. Food was provided by Stewart-Marchman-Act and United Cerebral Palsy food services divisions. Guests were entertained by the AcaFellas of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Winning Entries:
ADULT ENTRIES
First Place $1,000 Jesse Felton, LPGA International "Lost at the North Pole"
Second Place $600 Rachel Atkinson,"Bag End" from The Hobbit
Third Place $400, Chef Brett Harris, Vince Carter Sanctuary "Asian Winter"
Honorable Mention Melinda Dawson and Judy Bucek, "Daytona Beach Pier"
YOUTH ENTRIES
First Place $500 Katie, MacKenzi and Keriann Vahey "Barnyard BBQ"
Second Place $300 Milena Atkinson "Christmas Village"
Third Place $200 Atlantic High School
Honorable Mention Taylor Knight "Whoville"
See the winners among more than 30 gingerbread houses daily in the center court of Volusia Mall through December 23. With a $2 donation for adults and $1 donation for children, this local holiday tradition takes guests on a walk through an exhibit of unique edible masterpieces.
Gingerbread Magic benefits United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida and Stewart-Marchman-Act's Project WARM. Visit our website for more information at www.gingerbreadmagic.com.
Photographers bring family portraits to low resource families fourth year in a row.
November 2011
Each year, Operation: Community Capture selects an organization to work with and offer their free holiday family portraits to. Operation: Community Capture focuses on families that would not otherwise afford to engage in private photography studio sessions. Atmospheres are transformed to mimic private studios and families are brought in for private one on one sessions with volunteer photographers who believe strongly in family and their own commitment to give to the community around them.
In 2008 and 2009, Operation: Community Capture worked with The Salvation Army, and in 2010 with Stewart Marchman’s Project W.A.R.M. This year Operation: Community Capture has grown to offer portraits to both Project W.A.R.M. and Family Renew. Project W.A.R.M. is a long-term residential program for women who are pregnant, post-partum, or parenting young children. Operation: Community Capture chose to work with Project W.A.R.M. because of its dedication to saving families and its diverse multicultural programs. W.A.R.M. focuses on strengthening families through therapeutic interventions based upon the individual need of their clients while Family Renew is a community for displaced single mothers' and their children to rebuild their lives.
Mothers receive their framed family portraits a few weeks after their initial photographic sessions. This year, the mothers of the Family Renew Community will also receive new clothing and shoes for their children courtesy of Jerry Doliner’s Kids, Inc. Photographer JD Rouse, creator and organizer of Operation: Community Capture says, “We are excited to partner with an organization known for their many great deeds in the community and can’t wait to see the mothers' faces on the day of delivery of their portraits and children’s clothing. Such acts go a long way towards helping mothers rebuild their lives and stay strong for their children while doing so.”
Operation: Community Capture will take place November 19 for families residing in the Family Renew community and December 3 for the mothers of Project W.A.R.M. The family portraits are set to be delivered just before the Christmas holidays. While costs are kept to a minimum thanks to wonderful volunteers each organization that receives the gift of family portraits is responsible for locating printing and framing services. If you would like to help in this capacity, please contact JD Rouse or the organization you would like to assist directly.For more information:
Operation:Community Capture, JD Rouse (386) 259-0573 jdrousephoto@gmail.com
Jerry Doliner’s Kids, Barbara Steinberg (386) 212-9826
Project W.A.R.M., Deborah Zeoli (386) 254-1139
Family Renew, Claris Mac’Kie (386) 239-0861
