Over $1 Million in Coupons to U.S. Military

Published: Sunday, June 30, 2013 at 12:20 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 30, 2013 at 12:20 a.m.

The Columbiettes of Dr. Lawrence J. O'Rourke, Auxiliary 4726 have sent $1,021,345.53 worth of coupons to the military through June 10.

The coupon idea started in March 2011 when Jan Read and Margie Zamana heard about the Overseas Coupons Program ? sending manufacturers' coupons to overseas military bases where they can be used six months past the expiration dates.

The Columbiettes began cutting out their Sunday newspaper coupons for group collection and the project has expanded to a well-oiled production.

Ed Zamana, Margie's husband, and Margie start with cutting, separating and counting coupons, bagging and boxing them, and then mailing them. Helpers are many.

Betty Hunter cuts coupons donated by The Hamptons' residents amounting to $10,000 to $12,000 at one time. Columbiette Annie Winn and her father, John Meroni, separate coupons into non-food and food piles, and count them.

Cutting coupons are Columbiettes Jan Read, Marie Oliver, Maria Lopez, Helen Forster, Audrey Daniels, Louise Windhauser, Vergie Fuentes and Tracy Hartpence.

And Knights of Columbus members Charles Langbein and Tom Berdis also help with the coupons. Bingo players of Knights of Columbus 4726 help, including Julie Roberts and Nhi H. Linne among other ladies.

Columbiette Sylvia Moulton cuts coupons and collects those that are cut by Laura Irish, Ann Wentworth and Flo Grace from Woodland Lakes Park, and delivers them to Ed Zamana to finish getting ready to mail.

This has grown from one box a month sent to one Air Force Base in Incirlik, Turkey, to two to four boxes a month sent to two military bases. The other base is a Marine Corps Air Base in Iwakuni, Japan. This program wouldn't be such a huge success if it weren't for all the help from those who care.

Anyone can start an Overseas Coupons Program by going to www.ocpnet.org.

SUMMERLIN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Summerlin Academy is accepting applications for the freshman class. Those interested in applying are encouraged to pick up an application at Summerlin Academy's main office, 1500 S. Jackson Ave., Bartow.

Applications will be accepted until July 18.

The prestigious military academy is a college preparatory school for young people striving for an exceptional educational opportunity and an atmosphere of structure and discipline.

Summerlin Academy has been training JROTC cadets since it opened its doors Aug. 7, 2006. It birthday remains Nov. 8, however, because that's when in 2005 the Polk County School Board formally gave the approval for Summerlin Academy.

Parents who are interested in learning more about Summerlin Academy should the school directly at 863-519-7504.

AUBURNDALE PRINCIPAL REWARDED FOR SURVEY

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) awarded Auburndale Central Elementary Principal Badonna Dardis $3,000 for her school after she did a stellar job of filling out a survey about the Common Core State Standards.

The standards were developed with teachers, school administrators and experts to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare students for college and the workforce.

NAESP collaborated with the American Institutes of Research (AIR) to survey a pool of kindergarten through 12th-grade principals to determine their needs and concerns related to implementation of the Common Core State Standards.

Ten respondents were selected and received an incentive for participating.

ANGEL'S CARE CENTER NEEDS DONATIONS

As The Angel's Care Center of Eloise continues making and distributing toiletry and first aid kits, it is in need of deodorant, sunscreen and insect repellent to provide to patients' families through the hot summer months.

There remains an ongoing request for all toiletries (shampoo, soap, wash cloths, toothbrushes and paste, etc.) and first aid items (bandages, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, cotton balls, Q tips, etc.).

These kits really make a difference in the health of those served.

For details on where to take your donations, call the center at 863-875-5595.

In other news, Larry Powell, the board's president, has been appointed to the Eloise Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee by the Polk County Board of Commissioners.

COMPUTER CLASS AT LAKE ALFRED LIBRARY

The basic computer class is available free at Lake Alfred Public Library, 245 N. Seminole Ave., from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursdays.

The Friends of the Library continue to hold its weekly used book sales in the library from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

Send community news and photos to bbrader@tampabay.rr.com.

Source: http://www.theledger.com/article/20130630/news/130639995

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