Vol. 91 No. 22 Thursday, May 29, 2014 50¢ Plus tax So you like Zac’s Friendship House: A place for kids to barbecue by Patty Brant ship House to middle school kids, Zac’s age - a their lives that it can be diffi cult for them to just Caloosa Belle time when so many things are happening in focus on being kids and growing up. LaBelle always steps up for an Young Zac Reyna and his family captured With so many kids not having a good place important cause. Take domestic the attention of the world last summer when to stay after school, the Reynas felt this would violence. Abuse, Counseling and he struggled valiantly but lost his battle against be a wonderful way to memorialize their son. Treatment, Inc., (ACT) has been a little known disease called primary amoebic They’re working hard to fi nish the building serving abused women in Hendry- meninginoencephalitis (PAM), a brain eating - the old Lions Club at 140 Jaycee-Lions Blvd. Glades for over 35 years and is cur- amoeba. They’re cleaning, touching up paint inside in rently working on a permanent Zac was an active, loving boy full of life and Zac’s favorite colors: black and gold (Steelers) shelter for women and children spirit, just 12 years old. and orange. in the midst of some of the worst Now his parents are continuing to honor There’s still a little construction to do and times in their lives. their son’s life by providing safe and healthy some outside work, but they’re determined to One man is stepping up in a fun for other kids his age. be ready for the Summer Rec Program. special way to help the shelter get Jessie and Betsy Reyna are giving freely of its footing. their hearts to build Zac’s Friendship House, Summer Camp Lonnie Brick doesn’t live in La- a welcoming, fun and safe place for middle June 9-July 18 from 7:30-5:30 Monday- Belle, but has taken the cause to schoolers. It will be a place they can hang with Friday, Zac’s House will be a second home to heart. Since April he’s been volun- their friends, hit their homework (and get a teering his time and energy to put little help when they need it), play indoor and kids who would otherwise be alone or with together a huge fundraising event. outdoor games and nurture friendships while nothing constructive to do during the summer. Every moment not at work has growing healthy minds and bodies. Submitted photo There will be a weekly fee per child. They will been spent rounding up sponsors, The Reynas are opening up Zac’s Friend- Zac Reyna, happy and full of love. donors and participants for a huge See Zac — Page 2 barbecue competition - Bears and Barbecue from noon till 6 p.m. Sat- urday, July 19. Lonnie’s cause has attracted some big time sponsors, includ- Memorial Day: A Day of Refl ection ing the Minnesota Twins, Fort My- ers Miracles, PG Waterfront Hotel, According to History.com, Memorial Day is an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, which honors men and Hurricane Charlie’s, Dean’s South women who died while serving in the U.S. of the Border, Sweet Party Rental, military. Originally known as Decoration Day, Hendry County Sheriff’s Offi ce, it originated in the years following the Civil UPS Store of LaBelle and Ever- War and became an offi cial federal holiday in glades Seasoning. 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day Sponsors are still needed for this by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding fi rst ever event, as well as barbecue family gatherings and participating in parades. competitors, vendors and donors. Unoffi cially, at least, it marks the beginning of Serious barbecuers - both pro- summer. See Barbecue — Page 2 It is unclear exactly where Memorial Day originated but in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the offi cial birth- place of Memorial Day. Waterloo—which had fi rst celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—was chosen because it hosted an annual, com- munity-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with fl owers and fl ags. Caloosa Belle/Dale Conyers On Monday, May 26, the LaBelle commu- Veterans and others who remember our American heroes gathered at Fort Denaud Cemetery to commemorate Memorial Day, May 26. See Memorial — Page 11 SIGN AND DRIVE A NEW 2014 FUSION SE FOR ONLY $279 PER MONTH* 36 month lease with approved credit through Ford Credit. $0 security deposit. Only state title & license fees due at signing. *Stock #14c93. 20 cent per mile over 10500 per year. Includes $1000 RCL Bonus Cash. See dealer for details. More to choose from with similar savings. Image is for illustration purposes only. Offer ends 06/02/14. 2 Caloosa Belle May 29, 2014 kids, along with other community members to give back and through Zac’s Friendship to provide interesting, fun and educational House we will be able to do this. Zac presentations. We want to give kids in our community Sponsorship opportunities are available what we gave Zachary everyday. We gave Continued From Page 1 at several levels: Major League $5,000+; him our love, a safe environment to come AAA $2,500+; AA $1,000+; A $500+; and home to, helped him with his homework, be served breakfast, lunch and snacks and individual gifts $1+. encouraged him to participate with school spend their summer in wholesome play For more information on sponsorships and community functions, fed him, and and learning activities. Devout Christians, you can visit their website at www.Zacs- most importantly, we taught him about The the Reynas will also provide devotional time FriendshipHouse.org or just mail a check Lord and how to love one another. by local pastors and others. Open registra- to: Zac’s Friendship House, P.O. Box 689, There are many kids who need a little tion June 2-6 from 2-6 p.m. at Zac’s Friend- LaBelle, FL 33975. push, a hug, a meal or just need to hear the ship House. Watch for fundraising activities to ben- words “I love you.” Here at ZFH, we want to efi t Zac’s House: softball tournaments, golf give them whatever their needs are and be a After School Program tournament, walk-a-thon, barbecue benefi t witness in their lives in everything they do. When school starts again in the fall, kids dinners, car washes, yard sales, bake sales We’re hoping to get support through our will be able to ride the bus from LMS to and others. fundraisers and eventually through grants. Zac’s Friendship House or be dropped off. Zac may not be with his family, but the We’re going to be having golf and softball The facility will be open after school and re- Reynas are helping to fi ll the void he left by tournaments, walk-a-thons, 5K runs, yard main open till 6 or 7 p.m. so parents have shepherding other kids his age, continuing sales, all sorts of fundraisers to fund and time to get off work and pick them up. to share with others the joy and love of life maintain this center. We have a website Targeting sixth to eighth grade boys and that was so much a part of their precious up and running where you can donate. We girls in need of somewhere to stay after son. also have created a trifold that gives details school, this will be an annual membership of Zachary’s life, what he went through, program with a fl at fee. More information Message from Zac’s family and how it evolved to us starting this awe- some place. It also has options for pledging will be available later. First of all I would like to thank God for Parents will have peace of mind, know- and giving monetary gifts. We’re hoping to carrying me and my family through what receive the same support that we received ing their child is in a caring environment has been the toughest time in our lives and with other children of the same age. for Zac, but now it will be to help the youth with Him, everything is possible and Zac’s in our community and we’re excited about They’ll have homework time with tutor- Friendship House (ZFH) is going to be an ing if needed, snacks, games and time for what’s going to happen here in LaBelle. example of this. God always has a reason for unexplain- relaxation as well as organized art and mu- I want to thank my family and friends sic sessions with guest speakers on topics able things that happen in each of our lives. who have been on board with us from day Coming for Zac has completely changed that will interest them. 1. We appreciate your support and hard Zac’s unquenchable thirst for sports: ours. It’s brought us closer together and work. We are so thankful that God put you closer to Him. We’re moving forward with baseball, soccer, basketball, golf all games guys in our path. It’s been a blessing just Zac loved - will be a huge part of the day at something we probably would have never us working together and I just want to say done if Zac were here but we’re going to Zac’s Friendship House. “thank you and we love you all.” In the heat of the afternoon, the kids will be obedient and leave it in Gods hands.