Dennis A. LeBlanc, 51, Vero Beach

‘Drawing people together’: GYAC Turkey Giveaway brings happiness, laughter

GIFFORD — Turkey giveaways are not just about the food, but also about building community relationships through service and laughter, organizers say. That's the mantra that leaders with the Gifford Youth Achievement Center held as they passed out 200 turkeys to families during the 18th Annual Turkey Giveaway on Monday evening. "Service is the pillar to building a solid community," said event co-organizer Freddie Woolfork, GYAC's longtime director of public relations and facilities operations. "The volunteers here are helping out while also getting to know each other, writing down each other's phone numbers and knowing their names. This is about finding common ground and working as a team." As the holiday season quickly approaches, community leaders want to make sure ...

Retired educator honored for sowing seeds in lives of county’s youth

It is a peaceful space that A. Ronald Hudson finds filled with restful moments amid the citrus groves. Here in the orchard, the lessons of harvesting and sowing remain a constant in life – in and out of the field. “I would go in the grove, get on my tractor and forget about everything else,” said the longtime educator, of the therapeutic feeling he gets from minding the land, years after trading in a life of walking the school hallways and guiding students. “I’m strictly a nature person,” said Hudson, who turned 93 on July 1, talking of tending to the soil, planting oranges and grapefruit about a mile from his Vero Beach home. Hudson worked in the citrus groves ...

Together: Gifford MLK parade, program brings unity, music, performances

GIFFORD — The spirit of solidarity flourished at the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade along 45th Street, where residents gathered to see creative floats, marching band performances and banners showing King's image along with some of his famous quotes. A program held afterwards beneath the gray skies featured poetry, Christian rap, mime showcase, dances and singing. "I think it's very important for our students and community to continue the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. We cannot allow his dreams to die after he was assassinated," said Curtis Webb, director of youth programs at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center - one of many organizations to march in this year's parade. "He fought for the rights of all people so we ...