Ormond residents rally in Orlando for the Women's March

Ormond Beach Observer
Your Town

Motivated by the nation's current events, over 50 men and women from Volusia County, 27 of which where from Ormond, boarded a bus bound for the Women's March in Lake Eola on Sunday, Jan. 21.

The rally created a platform for them to voice their opinions on healthcare, environmental decisions, education, the DACA program and immigration, to name a few. Rita Press, who organized the group, said it was inspiring to see many young people at the Women's March, since it is an age group she said has not voted in large numbers in the past. She was also impressed by the nature of the rally.

“I think the thing that really gives me hope is the fact that here we had throughout the country and throughout the world, but throughout the United States, women and men marching and they were all peaceful," Press said. "But they were saying that we’re not happy with the situation as it stands and we will be heard.”

City officials help Knights of Columbus kickstart Tootsie Roll drive for citizens with disabilities

Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington and City Commissioners Rick Boehm and Rob Littleton met with members of the Knights of Columbus Prince of Peace Council 8791 to help them start their Citizens with Disabilities Tootsie Roll Drive.

Jay Young, Jim Mowinski, Mayor Bill Partington, Robert Simcoe and John McCarthy as they start this year's Tootsie Roll drive. Photo courtesy of Knights of Columbus.

The fundraiser starts on Jan. 26 and is the largest for the Knights, the proceeds of which go to schools and organizations that help developmentally challenged adults and children. While most of the money is distributed locally, some also is designated to a statewide fund to help adults with disabilities who live independently.

Over the past six years, Knights of Columbus Prince of Peace Council 8791 has awarded approximately $25,000 to ESE programs at five Ormond Beach schools, The ARC of Volusia and Florida Knights of Columbus charities.