More than 500 people gathered in Munn Park at 4:30 p.m. today for a rally to support increased state funding for public education. After that, they walked to Florida Avenue to wave signs encouraging support from passing drivers. Speakers in the video, in order, are:
Category: Activism
Posted inActivism, Schools
Teachers Take Off for Tallahassee; Others Will Rally in Munn Park Today
Around 700 teachers and supporters boarded charter buses at the RP Funding Center early this morning to ride to Tallahassee for a rally in support of public education that’s expected to attract thousands. In Lakeland, a large crowd is expected at Munn Park at 4:30 today for a companion rally and march to support higher […]
Posted inActivism
Lakeland Group Plans Puerto Rico Quake Relief
The group Band Aid 4 Puerto Rico, which organized in Lakeland to collect supplies for victims of Hurricane Maria in 2017, will reactivate to help victims of recent earthquakes on the island, founder Ana Rivera tells News Channel 8 | Facebook page Source: News Channel 8
Posted inActivism
SPCA Sees Progress in Reversing Polk Animal-Kill Ranking
A collaboration with other pet-serving agencies and a program that sent 300 kittens to out-of-state homes helped preserve the lives of 1,500 animals, SPCA Florida says as it seeks to reverse Polk’s position as the county with Florida’s highest animal-kill rate. Source: News Channel 8
Posted inActivism, People
Community Responds to Victims’ Families With Fund-Raisers, Vigil
Friends and family of the two people gunned down in an Atlanta Avenue home on Christmas Eve have started GoFundMe accounts to help with funerals and the expenses of raising the two sets of young children who lost parents.
Posted inActivism, Crime / Justice
Community Assisting Children Removed After Murder-Suicide
Community organizations are reaching out to help the four children who were removed from a home on Atlanta Avenue where three adults died in a murder-suicide Christmas Eve. Police released the name of the gunman but not the other two victims; however, WFLA reports the identities after talking with relatives and the Medical Examiner’s Office. […]
Posted inActivism, Social Services
Video: Lakeland Homelessness Panel
Several local experts this morning gave an overview of homelessness in Lakeland and what is happening at social service agencies and schools to address it. The session, sponsored by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, was moderated by City Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley.
Posted inActivism, City Hall
City Homelessness Efforts Evolve in Second Year
In its first year, the city’s rapid re-housing program found permanent housing for 114 Lakelanders who if not already homeless were on the verge of eviction, Mayor Bill Mutz said. Now the city needs to sign off on paperwork to provide the promised $103,000 so the program administrator, Tri-County Human Services, qualifies for additional grant […]
Posted inActivism
Homeless Banquet Moves From Tampa to Lakeland
The “I Believe in Miracles” Homeless Banquet, held in Tampa since 2007, moved this year to The Dream Center in Lakeland, where it was held Saturday, and organizer Paulette Rolle-Alesnik says she plans to repeat it here yearly. Source: Bay News 9
Posted inActivism
Church Partners With Company to Pay Off Medical Debt
Access Church (website) partnered with RIP Medical Debt (website) to pay off $1.62 million in unpaid medical bills for local people living below 50% of the federal poverty level.LEARN MORE: RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit organization, buys bundled medical debt for pennies on the dollar and then forgives it | USA Today Source: Fox 13 […]