FSS highlights need for foster families during National Foster Care Month
SEMINOLE, Fla. (April 27, 2023) – Family Support Services Pasco & Pinellas Counties continues their partnership with Rotary Club of Seminole Lake on Friday, May 5, as part of the First Friday Seminole roster. The monthly street party, held at Seminole City Center, hosts live music, giveaways, fresh food from local vendors and more from 6-9 p.m. on the main street in front of Studio Movie Grill.
May’s event will be especially important as it marks the start of National Foster Care Month, says Jaclyn Citarella, the agency’s Community Engagement Manager for Pasco and Pinellas counties. “Family Support Services is grateful for every person who opens their heart and home to provide a safe, temporary foster home for children in care – and with more than 2,400 children in care in the Suncoast area, the need for even more incredible foster families remains high,” says Citarella. “The more awareness we can create, the bigger impact we can make to support these children.”
“We’re so proud to be advocating for the foster care system and to be encouraging involvement from our community,” said Gerry Cachia, First Friday Seminole Event Coordinator for the Rotary Club of Seminole Lake. “We all have a responsibility to ensure children in the foster care system grow up in a safe and supportive environment. By advocating for and getting involved with groups like Family Support Services, we can create positive change and support these kids to reach their full potential. With First Friday, we can connect with our neighbors and have fun and still have this important message.”
Rotary Club of Seminole Lake’s monthly event also acts as a fundraiser for its Red Sled Initiative, the group’s holiday gift program for children in the foster care system.
Local favorite Crossfire Creek Band is the featured entertainment on Friday, May 5. The four-piece New Country/Top 40 Country band, based out of Tampa/Clearwater, features true-to-the music covers of the day’s country favorites. North 2 South (June 2) and the Risky Business Band (July 7) will appear in the coming months.
Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, but coolers, food and drinks brought in from outside the event will not be allowed.
WHEN: Friday, May 5, 2023
6– 9 p.m.
WHERE: Seminole City Center
11201 Park Blvd. North
Seminole, FL 33772
About Family Support Services (FSS) of Pasco & Pinellas Counties
Family Support Services is the lead agency for family preservation, foster care and adoption services in Duval, Nassau, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Through community-based care, FSS provides services and programs to help prevent child abuse and neglect, to promote a healthy family environment and to care for our community’s children in foster care. For more information, go to familysupport.org.
About Rotary Club of Seminole Lake
The Rotary Club of Seminole Lake was chartered on October 20, 1980, by Rotary International as one of more than 25,000 clubs then existing throughout the world. The object of Rotary Club is to encourage and foster the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life, high ethical standards in business and professions, and the advancement of understanding, goodwill, and peace in our local and international communities. The Rotary Club of Seminole Lake is in District 6950 composed of 48 Rotary Clubs. In 2022, the club was awarded Mid-Size Rotary Club of The Year.
About the Red Sled Initiative
The Red Sled Initiative was created to meet the need of providing Christmas presents to children in the foster care system. Since its inaugural year in 2015 the Rotary Club of Seminole Lake, in conjunction with a myriad of community support, has collected well over $550,000 worth of toys and gifts. The need continues and the Rotary Club of Seminole Lake is ready to serve!
To support the Red Sled Initiative or learn more about the Rotary Club of Seminole Lake, contact Gerry Cachia atgerry@williamclare.com.