Community Manatee Spotlight July 1, 2012

United Way Hosts Team Bowling Tournament
July 21 event will raise funds for United Way of Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (June 27, 2012) – Let’s grab a lane!

Manatee County invites the public to the second ever United Way Team Bowling Tournament on Saturday, July 21 at AMF Lanes, 4208 Cortez Road in Bradenton. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the tournament starts at 11 a.m.

For a $30 entry fee, entrants will receive three bowling games and shoe rental, pizza and soda. The first place team will receive $500. Second place will receive $350 and third place wins $200. Men’s and women’s scratch game winners will also receive $75. Proceeds will benefit the United Way of Manatee County.

”Last year 23 teams of four people apiece bowled in this tournament and we raised nearly $3,700 for a great cause,“ said event coordinator Mary Pendleton-Brown. ”This year word is spreading quickly and I think we’re going to have an even bigger and better turnout.“

Fourteen gift baskets donated by Manatee County employees will also be raffled for $1 a ticket or six for $5. All bowlers will receive a complimentary raffle ticket upon check in for chance at some door prizes.

Kei Bland and the Sugar Phix Band will perform during the tournament. The Royal Family of the Hernando De Soto Historical Society will also bowl, including Hernando de Soto, Chuck West; Queen Lauren Routh; Princess Alanna Massey  and Captain Butch Powell.  

For more information, or to register a team call Mary Pendleton-Brown at (941) 749-3030, ext. 3470.

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501.

Officials Needed for Upcoming Recreational Leagues

The Manatee County Government Parks and Recreation Department is in need of officials, 18 and over, for the upcoming Adult Flag Football and Adult Co-Ed Kickball Leagues. For questions regarding the application process, pay and other information please contact Ashley D’Arpino at the Athletic office at 941-742-5926 (Ext. 6062) or by email at Ashley.Darpino@mymanatee.org.

Publix Super Markets And Customers Raised Funds For Local Non-Profit Organization

Through their 2011 holiday Food For All point-of-purchase fundraiser, local Publix stores and their customers collectively raised $30,000 to benefit Meals on Wheels Plus. (Photo attached) Customers donated to the program by handing a $1, $3 or $5 donation coupon to cashiers to be scanned, and the amount was added to the customer’s grocery total.

”We are so thankful for the continued generosity of our customers, and the dedication of Publix associates to our annual Food For All campaign,“ said Shannon Patten, Media and Community Relations Manager for Publix Super Markets Lakeland Division.

Food For All is a 501(c)(3) charitable marketing organization that partners with thousands of grocery retailers nationwide to run point-of-purchase fundraisers. Since 1985, Food For All has successfully raised over $76 million to fight hunger here in the United States and around the world.

Manatee County Fleet Services Receives More International Recognition

For the ninth consecutive year, Government Fleet magazine has selected Manatee County Fleet Services as one of the top 100 public sector fleets in North America, out of an estimated 38,000 across the continent.

In listing the top fleets the publication noted that Manatee Fleet Services, ”Provided efficiency and effectiveness by challenging old principles and beliefs, updating policies and procedures, and refining core functions to eliminate unnecessary steps." Also over the past year Fleet integrated web-based and wireless technologies and consolidated small engine and turf equipment maintenance operations.

”Every professional team is honored to be recognized by their peers as being the best of the best,“ said Manatee County Public Works Director Ron Schulhofer. ”Team Fleet has had that distinction for nine consecutive years.  Continually challenging their past achievements to improve efficiencies has become a trademark which has contributed to this remarkable record.“

Fleet Services Manager Mike Brennan said recent technology upgrades, updated policies and increased efficiencies have all played a part in ranking the Manatee shop among the best of the best and in preparing it for the future. But he  gave all the credit to a hardworking group of technicians, material management staff and administrative professionals who always get the job done safely and on time.

”We’ve got a solid program for nine years plus,“ Brennan said. ”We’ve been a very efficient program. We keep things lean and mean. That’s the core of what gets us in the top 100 every time. We look for ways to save money.

”We’ve refined and updated policies; we’ve upgraded technologies to be more efficient in the future; we’ve refined core functions, and in refining our preventative maintenance program, we’ve cut our labor time almost 20 minutes per service.“

Manatee Fleet Services is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of 862 on-road vehicles and 460 off-road units.

New technologies are also being used to remotely track meter data, fuel consumption, vehicle usage and emissions so crews can schedule preventative rather than reactive maintenance on vehicles.