September 11 Memorial

If you would like to remember and honor those who died on 9/11/2001, consider going to the memorial program tomorrow night at Sims Park in New Port Richey.

The event begins at 6:15 p.m. with patriotic music. The memorial program starts at 7 p.m., and will include a slideshow and a speech from Capt. Robert Raleigh, chief pilot of American Airlines. Patriotic art exhibits from area students and performances from area choral groups are also scheduled.

This event is sponsored by the Pasco County government, the Pasco County School Board, and the City of New Port Richey.

Pasco County Flu Shots

The Pasco County Health Department announces that flu shots are now available. Cost is $25, payable by cash or check.

ADULT FLU SHOTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

Dade City Clinic
13941 15th Street
Dade City, FL 33525
(352) 521-1450
We strongly recommend you call and make an appointment to avoid a long wait time.
Walk-in: Thursday from 7:30 a.m.–12:00 noon

Hudson Clinic
11511 Denton Avenue
Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-5661
By Appointment Only.

Land O’Lakes Clinic
4135 Land O’Lakes Blvd.
Land O’Lakes, FL 34639
(813) 558-5173
Walk-in: Monday & Tuesday from 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

New Port Richey Clinic
10841 Little Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654
(727) 861-5260 Ext. 268
By Appointment Only.

Zephyrhills Clinic
4717 Airport Road
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
(813) 780-0740
Walk-in: Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (Note: Wednesday is the best day)
Appointments can be made.

Joining Hands Community Mission

A wonderful new resource has opened on US 19 for those in need in Pasco County. Joining Hands Community Mission, Inc. is now open and operating at the site formerly known as Community United Methodist Church, 3214 U.S. Highway 19 in Holiday.

Joining Hands is a faith-based social service agency supported by Metropolitan Ministries and Gulf Central District UMC. Its resource center offers evaluation and emergency assistance to people in financial distress. Emergency food provisions and clothing are available, as is assistance in locating shelter, if necessary. Joining Hands is also an ACCESS Florida Community Partner, offering assistance in applying for food stamps, Medicaid, and temporary cash assistance.

In the future, Joining Hands is planning to offer transitional housing.

For more information or to help, call the mission at (727) 937-3268.

GreenFiber Community Recycling Program

Would you like a convenient way to recycle your newspapers? How about your phone books, cereal boxes, construction paper, gift wrap, or magazines? You may need to look no further than the parking lot of your local Pasco County public school.

The Pasco County School District and US GreenFiber, LLC have joined forces to create a community paper recycling program. Participating schools will earn 100% revenue from the recycled products. You will save money by not having to use as many garbage bags!

For a list of participating Pasco County schools and hours that the GreenFiber container can be accessed, CLICK HERE. When you go to drop off your paper products, just look for the big bright green containers in the parking lot.

Help save the planet and help our community schools!

School Supplies

It's that time again - time for Back to School Shopping! If you, like so many others, are wondering how you are going to afford your child's school supplies, perhaps one of the following events can help!

Back 2 School Festival
Saturday, August 1
10 a.m. - 12 Noon
Alice Hall
38116 Fifth Ave.
Zephyrhills, FL
This event is sponsored by HIS Storehouse Outreach & Thrift Center and will offer free backpacks and school supplies, free food, carnival games for kids and a coupon for a $5 kid's haircut at Artistic Hair. Donations of school supplies and backpacks are still being accepted, and can be dropped off at the Thrift Center at 35362 State Road 54 during business hours (10-5 weekdays or 10-2 Saturday).

Joining Hands Kids Camp
August 3 - August 7
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Joining Hands Community Mission
3214 U.S. Hwy 19
Holiday, FL
A weeklong day camp for children whose families are experiencing homelessness or financial hardship. Campers will receive a healthy breakfast, lunch and snack and will experience many fun crafts and activities. At the end of the week, each camper will receive a new pair of shoes and a back-to-school backpack filled with school supplies. Call (727) 937-3268 for more information.

School Supply Giveaway
Saturday, August 8
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Victory Apostolic Church
102 Lake Hobbs Rd.
Lutz, FL
Free backpacks and school supplies will be provided. Call (813) 949-9001 for more information.

Backpack Giveaway
Saturday, August 8
Life Point Christian Church
6219 River Rd.
New Port Richey, FL
Free backpack giveaway. Call (727) 849-1251 for more information, to register, or if you would like to donate a backpack.

Back-to-School Sunday
Sunday, August 23
8:10 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11:20 a.m.
Calvary Chapel Worship Center
6825 Trouble Creek Rd.
New Port Richey, FL
Attend any one of the three church services on this date and you could receive a free backpack. Online pre-registration is required. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Pre-registration does not guarantee you will receive a backpack, however there will also be free haircuts, games, prizes, ice cream sundaes and more.

Sign Up Now for the Coastal Cleanup!

Sign up now for the 24th Annual International Coastal Cleanup Day. Held the third Saturday in September (September 19th this year) from 8 a.m. until 12 noon, the Coastal Cleanup Day is when thousands of people around the world join together to clean up trash and debris from our coastlines.

The Pasco County Coastal Cleanup is coordinated by Jennifer Seney, Pasco County's Recycling Coordinator. Numerous sites throughout the county are being targeted, including some inland sites, so if you live in East or Central Pasco County, there is still a site near you! For volunteer group contact information or to sign up a group of your own, call Jennifer at 727-847-8041, 813-996-7341 ext. 8041, or 352-521-4274 ext. 8041.

If you want to help with an ongoing effort to reduce fishing debris, volunteer to be a Pier Walker! These dedicated volunteers walk the lengths of the fishing piers in the Tampa Bay area collecting discarded fishing lines and disposing of them in the monofilament recycling bins. They also communicate to fishermen the importance of properly disposing of their monofilament lines and other debris. Click here to visit their website for more information.

Caring & Sharing Center for Independent Living

If you have a disability, you know how difficult it can be to perform basic daily activities. The Caring and Sharing Center for Independent Living, Inc. (CASCIL) can help. They offer assistance in obtaining assistive technology, durable medical equipment, home modification, independent skills training, and more. A majority of the staff and the board of directors of CASCIL have significant disabilities, so they are aware of the challenges of living with a disability and are dedicated to promoting the empowerment and self-determination of people with disabilities.

For more information, visit their website at cascil.org, or give them a call at (866) 539-7550 (Toll-Free).