Health & Fitness
Warren Park to Receive Generous Gift in “KJ’s Playground” Special Needs Park
Published
7 years agoon
By
Randy RossBELLE ISLE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – In August of 2016, local philanthropist Christopher Comins received the wonderful news that he was a grandfather. At the same time his daughter, Jenny Lynn Hutnick, and the entire family learned that her son, KJ, was born with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This extra genetic material causes developmental difficulties and physical features distinctive to Down Syndrome. Rather than looking at KJ’s condition as a challenge, Hutnick, a nurse, went to work by creating a foundation called The Up Side of Down, with the specific purpose of improving the lives of children with Down Syndrome. Comins, her father, has partnered with the foundation to fund this exciting and unique project. “My daughter gave me a gift in KJ and I want to do whatever is in my power and resources to make his life and the lives of other children with Down Syndrome meaningful,” said Comins. “KJ couldn’t have been born to a better mother and more selfless person.”
“KJ’s PLAYGROUND” IN WARREN PARK
Nestled among the pristine tree-lined streets and Conway Chain of Lakes in Belle Isle, Florida, is Orange County’s Warren Park, the site where the interactive and special needs park, “KJ’s Playground,” will be built. Special needs parks, in the simplest of descriptions, features traditional playground style equipment modified for various forms of movement, like wheelchairs and children with crutches and braces.
The goal is simply to enhance physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning, as well as a sense of belonging in a community.
Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke expressed, “I was excited to learn that Chris and his family were bringing this project to an Orange County park. It speaks volumes to the charitable nature of this and all the projects Chris has brought to the residents of Orange County and especially those in Belle Isle.”
“I recall when I first met with Chris at a chance meeting where he mentioned the interactive park and I suggested Warren Park. I recall how matter of fact he was in wanting to do this project.” City of Belle Isle Commissioner Bobby Lance said. “We’re very fortunate in the City of Belle Isle to have such a giving neighbor in Chris and his entire family…especially the inspiration for the project, his grandson KJ.”
While the completion date is not confirmed, Comins acknowledged that he and his daughter are researching other special needs parks throughout the country in order to bring the most relevant and appropriate equipment to the project. Comins, retired, lives in the City of Belle Isle and was just recently spotlighted by Florida National News for a donation and complete reconstruction of the City of Belle Isle Police Station.
Florida National News will be there for the opening and dedication of “KJ’s Playground” and will bring you that report timely.
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Randy Ross is a political contributor for Florida National News. | info@floridanationalnews.com
Health & Fitness
Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith Hosting Community Health Update on Meningococcal & Monkeypox Outbreaks
Published
2 years agoon
July 11, 2022By
FNN NEWSORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Florida State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) is hosting an important discussion on how to protect yourself and others from the meningococcal disease and monkeypox outbreaks affecting our community.
WHO:
- Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, Florida House District 49
- Dr. Raul Pino, MD MPH – Director, Orange County Health Services Department
- Alvina K. Chu, MHS – Director, Division of Infectious Diseases; Florida Department of Health in Orange County
- Dr. George A. Wallace – Executive Director, LGBTQ+ Center Orlando
WHEN: TOMORROW, Tuesday, July 12th at 4pm
WHERE: Streaming on facebook.com/carlosguillermoforflorida AND bit.ly/RepCGSYouTube
RSVP: Please RSVP attendance at https://bit.ly/cgshealthupdate
Health
Gov. DeSantis Announces $125M in State Budget to Boost Nurse Training and Nurse Employment
Published
2 years agoon
May 16, 2022SANFORD, Fla. (FNN) – Florida governor Ron DeSantis opened his Sanford press conference slamming COVID vaccine mandates for medical personnel before making his big announcement: $125 million in approved state funding for nurse training and employment.
Gov. DeSantis explained that $100 million will go to colleges and universities for higher education programs and pipeline programs to help nurses complete their degrees and transition right into jobs upon graduation.
The governor shared that the remaining $25 million is assigned to “combating the shortage of nursing instructors,” meaning funding will also provided for those who can teach and train up and nurses and medical students. Additionally, the funding will providing some student loan assistance for students pursuing nursing careers.
Seminole State College and Valencia College will each receive $1.4 million of the $25 million in pipeline funding to help their students “earn while they learn,” according to Florida Dept. of Education Senior Chancellor Henry Mack. Mack also pointed out that Gov. DeSantis has awarded over $5 billion in education and technical training funding since taking office.
The full press conference live stream can be viewed above. (Governor DeSantis starts speaking at 24:11 on the video.)
DeSantis also addressed the appointment of Cord Byrd and defended his decision to appoint Byrd, also noting that Byrd would be tough on election integrity.
DeSantis was asked again about Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District and the tax consequences on Orange and Osceola County residents. He explained that he plans to ensure control of the tax debt would move from the counties to the state and that no counties should be raising taxes on their residents. He also doubled down on Disney repaying the debt.
When Florida National News brought the conversation back around to funding in the state budget for nurses–namely the appropriations proposal for an additional building for UCF’s Nursing School in Lake Nona, Governor DeSantis said he’s still reviewing the budget and that more medical funding projects would be forthcoming.
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Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com
Events
Servant’s Heart Ministry’s Hearts Against Hunger 5K Kicks Off Saturday, May 14
Published
2 years agoon
May 9, 2022ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Servant’s Heart Ministry’s in-person 5K kicks of on May 14, 2022. Attendees can run, walk or stroll through the beautiful streets of Belle Isle in the Greater Orlando area to help bring awareness and support those in need. People can register as an individual or create their very own team. Grab your family, friends, co-workers, running groups, or church groups and make a difference today.
The entry donation fee of $35 provides two full weeks of groceries for one local family. Anyone and everyone can participate. Supporters can help the ministry reach its $40,000 goal by creating a fundraising page or creating a team through the event page.
Those who want to help even more can create their own unique fundraising page after they register to help the ministry reach their goal. Supporters will be able to customize it just the way they want and will be able to share it with others as well as on social media platforms.
As a special thank you, with every $35 donation/registration fee, the ministry will be gifting those registered with a t-shirt the morning of the event while supplies last. Shirt sizes may be limited.
When: Saturday, May 14, 2022
Where: Belle Isle, Florida (Central Florida)
Registration begins: 7:00 AM
Race begins: 8:00 AM
For more information, contact Servant’s Heart Ministry at 407-447-3022, or visit www.servantsheartministry.org
Dennis Warren
July 23, 2017 at 1:41 pm
I worked for Chris for 25 years I have seen him be so generous to people that he gave them cars to get to work put people up in homes when they had nothing gave money so they could feed there family this man would gave you anything he could to help you out and not ask for nothing in return just be loyal to him and the company.