- April 25, 2024
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First Responder Appreciation Day is Oct. 28, and the Ormond Beach Police Department recently received a makeover of its grilling area, courtesy of the Lowes store in Ormond Beach.
According to OBPD's Facebook page, Lowe's provided the station with a new grill, tables, an outdoor sink and ceiling fan.
"It's partnerships like this that make the whole community better," OBPD wrote on Facebook. "Thank you Lowes of Ormond Beach."
A former executive director of the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach is having the University of Florida University Gallery named after him, a tribute to his longtime patronage.
Gary Libby, a UF alumnus, has been a donor to the UF School of Art and Art History for over 20 years, according to a press release. Libby has made significant contributions across a variety of programs — including art history, museum studies, graphic design and art education — and come December, the gallery, which is the largest of three exhibition spaces in UF's galleries system, will be formally recognized as the "Gary R. Libby University Gallery."
“The University Gallery is a historical landmark on the University of Florida campus,” said Onye Ozuzu, dean of the College of the Arts. “This exhibition venue fosters innovation, creativity, and criticality while inviting conversations and facilitating an exchange of ideas. Gary’s philanthropy helps achieve the missions of the gallery and the School of Art and Art History. His years of dedication have helped propel students to seize opportunities as scholars and artists in the 21st century.”
Libby became the executive director of MOAS in 1977, and served in that position for over 25 years. He is the museum's first director emeritus, the press release states. Under his leadership, MOAS became accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a Smithsonian Affiliate. MOAS also grew from 7,000 square feet to span 120,000 square feet.
Libby retired in 2005, but remains an active curator and art historian. He writers for several online and print journals, and continues to teach at Florida colleges and universities.
“Over 50 years ago as a first-year student with an interest in pursuing a career in law, I wandered into the University Gallery to enjoy its very first major exhibition under the masterful leadership of the first director, the late, Roy Craven,” Libby said. “That treasured experience started a process in my life that changed the direction of my future in many wonderful and rewarding ways. It is an honor beyond description to now have my name added to this critically important resource for the entire university and as an example of excellence for the state of Florida and the nation.”
Security First Insurance Director of Diversity Initiatives Belkys Stallings was recognized on Oct. 6 as the 2021 Private-Sector Woman of the Year at the 7th-annual Women in Business Banquet, hosted by the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Stallings joined Security First as its Learning and Development manager in 2018 when she launched Security First Academy, which provides training to new and existing employees, according to a press release. Under her leadership, the Learning and Development team developed multiple training programs that have prepared about 120 trainees to transition into different roles, such as claims examiners, sales, and CARE representative.
She was appointed to her current position earlier this year to align with the company's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and to ensure the company reflects the communities surrounding it, as well as the values of its employees.
“As one of a few females leading a homeowners insurance company, I’ve been focused on diversity and inclusion at all levels of our organization,” said Melissa Burt DeVriese, president of Security First Insurance. “I’m so excited to see a team member recognized for her achievements. Belkys is a team player at work and active in her field of training and development and the greater community as a member of the Volusia-Flagler Counties United Way Board of Directors."
Security First is also hiring. For more information on available positions, visit SecurityFirstFlorida.com/Careers.
The Root Family recently confirmed its multi-year gift of $500,000 to the Community Foundation of Volusia and Flagler Counties, a press release announced last week.
The gift is going toward the foundation's Every Dollar Gets Empowered fund, which is designed to provide general operating support to the United Way of Volusia and Flagler Counties, its parent organization. The endowment's annual earnings offset United Way's operational costs.
“The EDGE Fund provides the United Way important increased capacity to serve our community by ensuring the United Way stays healthy and highly effective with sustainable funding during all types of economic cycles," said Dustin Smurdon, chairman of the United Way Board of Directors. "Particularly, during difficult ones when our services are most needed. General operating support is the lifeblood of any strong nonprofit organization. It permits us to hire and maintain quality staff and innovate for our community’s long-term evolving needs.”
Courtney Edgcomb, president of the United Way, added that the EDGE fund also increases the percentage of every campaign donation dollar that goes to helping the community.
“Once fully funded, donors to the annual campaign will know that 100% of their donations are helping families and that Every Dollar Gets Empowered," Edgcomb said. “We are fortunate to have the support and volunteer service of the Root Family and other philanthropists. We greatly appreciate donors like the Root family who want to really understand what we do on a day-to-day basis and provide a vote of confidence in our ability to lead through change. Their general operating support shows faith in our mission, as well as, our organization.”
