April 2024

Inside: Learn about the "explosive" hurricane season expected in 2024, welcome our newest Board members and support LWR CERT's Giving Challenge

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Dear Community Members,

Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 21-27 this year. This is a time dedicated to recognizing the incredible efforts and contributions of the Lakewood Ranch resident volunteers who make our CERT team such a vital force in our community. Thank you for your support.

From their dedication during training sessions to their readiness to assist during emergencies, each LWR CERT member plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our community members. Volunteer Appreciation Week is an opportunity to express gratitude for all that LWR CERT volunteers do for Lakewood Ranch. Thank you to our members for making our community a safer and better place.

This is the time of year when the annual hurricane season predictions are publicized. AccuWeather's hurricane forecast indicates that we will have an active hurricane season this year (see story below). We will see other forecasts coming soon. This is a reminder for all of us to begin preparing for the season.

Happy April and stay safe!

Jim Emanuelson (KN4VMK)

President, LWR CERT

941.404.8606

Higher costs are impacting all of us - including LWR CERT. While we are grateful to have received donations from our HOAs for more than 15 years, we could use additional help to ensure readiness into the future. Please support LWR CERT during the 2024 Giving Challenge presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. When disaster strikes, we are the help until the help arrives.

With generous donation matching from The Patterson Foundation and an anonymous donor, the first six $50 donations to LWR CERT during the Giving Challenge will be triple matched, resulting in a total donation of $900! Then, each $100 donation after that will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of your generosity. Your support will empower LWR CERT to enhance emergency preparedness, provide vital training, and ensure the safety of our community in times of need.

Mark your calendars for the Giving Challenge for noon April 9 to noon April 10. Together, we can make a positive difference, and keep our community safe.

Welcome to the two newest members of the LWR CERT Board of Directors:

• Jim Curran - Director, Community Outreach
• Lisa Robbins - Treasurer/Secretary

Jim Curran graduated from Basic Training in June 2016 and serves as Team Captain of Team 32. Jim has a PhD in Business Administration - Marketing from the University of Rhode Island. Most recently, he served as Professor of Marketing and Dean of the College of Business at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

Lisa Robbins graduated from Basic Training in May 2023 and is a member of Team 36. She has served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for a number of companies, most recently at ADP. She currently serves on the Boards of three international companies.

The weather was perfect for Radio Day in the Park on Saturday, March 16 when we conducted a mini simulation exercise at Summerfield Park. Members used their radios to report (or choose not to report) 28 activation scenarios to Group Leaders, who in turn reported the incidents to Hubs. All in attendance agreed that they learned something by participating in this year's radio exercise.

In addition to all the participants, we also thank Event Manager Arcinee Hermiston; Radio Communications Manager Alan Blair; Director, Team Captains Jan Kuhn; Hubs Frank Giannone, Tony Gula, John Hennesey, Gordon Kuhn, and Tim Sherer; Group Leaders Maureen Corristan, Jim Curran, Marty Hawkins and Mike Modisett; and Facilitators Jim Emanuelson, Karen Emanuelson, George Jenckes, and Dr. Jim Schmidt; and Registration Assistant Kathy Keenan for making this event such a success.

Second graders at Braden River Elementary were treated to a special Hurricane Preparedness session on Friday, March 22 when LWR CERT members Jill Perlin and Jordan Perlin visited their classes.

Students learned about LWR CERT and our role in the community. They also learned how they can help their families prepare for hurricanes. The Perlins' presentation included numerous visual aids and even showed the students how LWR CERT members use radios to communicate during activations.

This is the second year Jill and Jordan have shared their Hurricane Prep knowledge with Braden River students.

Potential for "Explosive" Hurricane Season in 2024

"A super-charged hurricane season could spawn a near-record number of storms in the Atlantic this year, and forecasters may even run out of names for storms amid a frenzy of tropical systems."

Click the graphic to read the AccuWeather prediction.

River Club CERT offers April Basic Training class

River Club CERT is offering a free CERT Basic Training class in April. Their class is open to all Manatee County residents and meets for three Saturdays (April 6, 13, and 20) from 9 AM - 4 PM at the Firehouse Administration building on LWR Blvd. Advance registration is required. Click here for River Club CERT Basic Training details and registration information.

Solar Eclipse in Lakewood Ranch

You will be able to see a partial solar eclipse in Lakewood Ranch on Monday, April 8 from approximately 1:42 - 4:13 PM, depending on cloud cover. Click the graphic to see an eclipse simulation for LWR.

When viewing the eclipse, do not look directly at the sun. Instead, look through Safe Solar Viewing (Eclipse) glasses. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark are not safe for viewing the sun.

HAM Radio License Prep Classes

Trailer Estates CERT is offering free classes to anyone interested in receiving their Amateur Radio (HAM) License. The classes are geared to assist in preparing you to take the test. Classes will be held in Trailer Estates on Mondays April 8 and April 15 at 6 PM and Thursdays April 11 and 18 at 7 PM. Contact Dan Smith for registration and details.

Community Shred Day and Food Drive

A free Community Shred Day and Food Drive is set for April 27 from 9 AM - Noon in the LWR Town Hall parking lot, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

While the shredding event is free, attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable (non-glass) food item to help support the Food Bank of Manatee.

Only personal documents; no commercial/business documents will be accepted for shredding. Each individual will be limited to two boxes, which are not larger than 24” x 12” x 12”. The event is sponsored by Grow Financial Lakewood Ranch Branch and the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority.

As many as 9 million Americans have their identity stolen every year, and shredding documents helps prevent thieves from accessing personal information. Take advantage of this free shredding service to dispose of documents typically used by identity thieves to commit fraud — old bills and receipts, junk mail, account statements, and unused pre-approved offers of credit.

April Birthdays

Happy Birthday to members Matthew Cangemi (Team 30), David Cashbaugh (Team 25), Jim Curran (Team 32), Mike Defferding (Team 36), Upali Fonseka (Team 26), Bernie Fuersich (Team 36), Hilary Harter (Team 35), James Hennigan (Team 1), Sebastian Ilka (Hub), Philippe Johnson (Team 13), Lahin Kahn (Team 2), Samuel Mallis (Team 8), Jack Mathews (Team 35), Jill Perlin, Richard Plotkin (Team 26), Evelyn Ross (Team 8), William Sadlack (Team 27), Greg Stratakes (Team 9), Robert Thompson (Team 35), Rene Urra (Team 11), Tony Vertuca (Team 2), and Phillip Westerman (Team 16)

April Service Anniversaries

Congratulations to these members, who are celebrating April Basic Training graduations. Thanks for your years of service to LWR and LWR CERT!

6 years - Samuel Acquaviva (Team 28), Ken Bertram (Team 20), Kay Culliton (Team 20), and Nigel Pilling (Team 28)

5 years - Annette Buhr (Team 27), Barbara Hickey (Team 32), Tom Hickey (Team 32), Deborah Jernigan (Team 35), Murray Miller (Team 31), Art Taber (Team 27), and Elizabeth Trencheny (Team 25)

2 years - Ray Arroyo (Team 17), Ann Bohlander (Team 31), Fred Bohlander (Team 31), Bruce Costella (Team 23), Sudi Hirmanpour (Team 25), Pam Kean (Team 35), Elena Markow (Team 13), Gary Miller (Team 32), Cindy Peirce (Team 13), Jill Perlin, Jordan Perlin, Michael Rogers (Team 13), Chris Sloane (Team 2), and Elaine Williamson (Team 16)

• Board Meeting - Tuesday, April 2 at 11:30 AM Location TBD
• Leadership Meeting - Monday, April 8 at 7 PM
• Giving Challenge - Tuesday, April 9 & Wednesday, April 10 - Matching donations to LWR CERT up to $300
• VIRTUAL Communications/Website Redesign Committee Meeting - Tuesday, April 9 at 4 PM
• Training Committee Meeting - Wednesday, April 10 at 4 PM
• VIRTUAL Operations Committee Meeting - Wednesday, April 10 at 5 PM
• Team Captain/Group Leader Workshop - Saturday, April 13 at 9 AM
• Radio Committee Meeting - Tuesday, April 16 at 7 PM
• Member Event - Tour of National Weather Service Office - Thursday, April 16
• LWR CERT booth at LWRCA Block Park - downtown LWR Main Street - Friday, April 19 at 6 PM
• Member AND Public Event - LWR CERT Night at the Ball Park - Wednesday, May 22 at LECOM Park. Click here to purchase tickets through special link

Send comments, suggestions, and photos for future issues to communications@lwrcert.org.