July 15, 2005
By: Sherry Baldwin

East Pasco STEPS (School Tools that Empower and Promote Success)working with various community organizations, recently hosted a Health Fair that provided back to school physicals to local children. The Health Fair was held at various locations in Pasco County. Denny Mihalinec, President of the STEPS Program, was involved in arranging the use of The Trilby United Methodist Church as one of the location sites. Mihalinec explained that many times "lack of transportation" becomes a stumbling block for children needing school physicals in time to begin school. This in one reason why they chose to bring the school physicals to the families.

On a recent Saturday, staff members from Premier Community Health Care Group (a non profit community health center serving eastern Pasco County) came to the children in the Tri-Community site were Dr. Luis Acevedo, Dr. Cheryl REed, Sylvia Salazar-Rangel, Norma Bruce, Mellissa Hill, Diane Davenport, Jessica Velasquez, Valeria Contreras and volunteer teen,, Azalea Perez. Health screenings were provided to each child present. Parents or guardians were given information regarding further testing and/or immunizations needed prior to the start of school. Valuable resource information was provided to family members, as well. In fact, on hand to assist with questions regarding health care needs was HealthEase Representative, Armando Prohenza.

Bob Loring, Co-Chair, Marine Corps Reserves' Toys for Tots of eAst Pasco, explained that STEPS is an effort originally lead by respected community deader, Isa Blanford, While originally targeting children in the Lacoochee area, it has been expanded to other areas of the county. In fact, according to Bob Loring, future expansion is also planned. The health fair component coupled with the offering of school supplies help ready the area's children by the start of school. This year school starts on August 8th in Pasco County.

The STEPS effort is currently based on the same premise as Toys for Tots. Community members and organizations begin each year by collecting donated school supplies. Just prior to the start of school, these supplies are distributed to area children, Mush like with Toys for Tots, what is collected in the community stays in the community. This is key. Loring, who has become highly involved in the STEPS effort, credits the hard work STEPS volunteer leaders Isa Blanford, Denny Mihalinec, Debbie Nix, Laura Quintana, Jessica White, Anna Fulk, Shannon Dukes, Mary Anderson, Sylvia Salazar-Rangel, and Rick Elder.

The distribution day for school supplies is set for Saturday, August 6. School supplies are still needed. Logo items from businesses, such as pens and pencils, are gladly accepted. Tax-deductible donations can also be made to East Pasco STEPS, Inc. and mailed to 19540 Old Trilby Road, Dade city FL 33523. For more information please call (352)518-0980, or for a listing of distribution sites or items needed visit their website at www.eastpascosteps.org.

Site Designed by
PatE's Graphics
www.pegraphics.com