Notebook

Renovation of activity rooms wins approval

SUN CITY CENTER -- Residents voted overwhelmingly last week to spend $300,000 to renovate nearly two dozen of the community's activity rooms. The Community Association sought residents' approval, as is required under Sun City Center's articles of incorporation for any expenditure of more than $100,000. Of the 911 voters, 882 residents, or 96.8 percent, favored using the money for renovations. Only 29 voters, or 3.2 percent, were opposed. The renovation money has accumulated during the past three years or so through donations from area businesses and Sun City Center residents and clubs. Engineers and architects have drafted plans for the proposed renovations, are receiving bids and expect to start construction soon.

Eisenhower Middle gets $13,000 grant

GIBSONTON -- Eisenhower Middle School received a grant of $13,000 from Hillsborough County for an after-school detention program that administrators hope to have ready for the 2003-2004 school year. The school also received a total of $3,200 from Cargill, the Labarbera family and an anonymous donor. Principal Tim Ducker, Stephanie Flatt and the faculty and staff at Eisenhower Middle School recognized the community donations and thanked the donors on March 19.

Money collected for family struck by tragedy

BLOOMINGDALE -- A fundraiser March 22 in front of the Wal-Mart in Bloomingdale Square raised $895 to help a family in need, and Wal-Mart stores plan to match that amount.

On March 18, Therese Soedjede and her 3-year-old daughter, Daniella, were killed in a car crash on Interstate 75. Soedjede's 7-year-old daughter, Sandrine, was seriously injured.

The fundraiser was held by the managers and staff of Alafia Village, where Soedjede worked. Its aim was to help Soedjede's husband, Maureko Ackey, with funeral and hospital costs.

Drawings for a 20-inch television, gift certificates to Kash n' Karry and J.L. Hair Studio, and an Easter basket made the fundraiser possible. Hot dogs and sodas donated by Menmart also were sold to help the family.