- December 15, 2025
Also: The Make A Wish Foundation's Nov. 11 fashion show raised $2,400 for local aid; Votran names its driver of the year; and, a United Way worker is honored for community service.
BY THE OBSERVER STAFF
Local kids raise money for charities
After attending a fundraiser at LuLu's Oceanside Grill, Evan Craig, a fourth-grader at Pine Trail Elementary, and his 13-year-old sister Emma began a charity initiative of their own. Their mission? Raise money for Breast Cancer research.
Together, they made 68 bracelets to sell then donate their proceeds to charity. But they didn't stop there.
Evan began selling his bracelets to local friends and family, to increase his donation amount. And Emma has been making and selling beaded jewelry for almost a year. With her profits, she buys bus passes for the STAR Family Center homeless shelter in Daytona Beach.
Fashion Show raises $2,400 for Make a Wish
In hopes of raising money for a local Volusia County family, the Make a Wish foundation hosted a Holiday Fashion Show Nov. 11, at the Daytona Beach Resort. Volunteers walked up and down the runway modeling clothes from Patchington during a luncheon.
The event raised more than $2,400 to benefit a local family.
Wood named Votran driver of the year
Votran bus driver Stewart Wood has been named the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged paratransit driver of the year. Wood was recognized during the awards banquet of the organization’s 21st-annual conference and expo at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort and the Ocean Center convention center.
"We are so proud of Stewart and his accomplishments,” said Steven Sherrer, Votran general manager. “His success is evidence of his dedication to safety and excellent customer service. Stewart is very deserving of this honor, and we are very excited for him."
David Freer awarded for community service
The Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler, a division of the United Way of Volusia-Flagler, announced that David A. Freer will be honored with the annual Herbert M. Davidson Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service.
Freer served on the Checkered Flag Committee and is credited with growing their corps of volunteers. He has also served as chairman of the Daytona Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and received the Lou Fuchs Award for leadership in 2000. The event will be 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Daytona International Speedway.
Call 366-9059.
