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ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua City Commission meeting of Jan. 8, 2023 was all about the City Commission showing appreciation for those who help and serve others.

Each year, on Jan. 9, the men and women who serve as Law Enforcement Officers are honored by declaring the day as National Law Enforcement Day in recognition of those that put their lives on the line to protect and serve the community as a whole. These men and women put the citizens of Alachua as their priority to prevent crime and violence, help those in need, or in emergency situations, and saving lives through their quick actions and knowledge. The Commission honored the Alachua Police Department with eight officers in attendance and posed for group photos.

The Commission next heard about humanitarian efforts to help the displaced civilians and children of Ukraine whose lives have been turned upside down by the war being waged by Russia, turning much of their homeland into devastated ruins. Russia's brutal attack on civilian infrastructure has destroyed much of the power grid and utilities leaving civilians at the mercy of a harsh upcoming winter.

Vaishnava International Relief Association (VIRA, Inc.) is a nonprofit humanitarian organization located in Florida. Their mission is to uphold universal moral values, protect and support the innocent and oppressed and to contribute to projects designed to improve society at large.

The organization’s president is Ukrainian Andriy Egorovets, who worked with local Hare Krishna members Leah Bielat and Nisha (Nandini Kishori) to create a charity event held Oct. 8, 2022 at ISKCON Alachua Temple called ONE DAY FOR UKRAINE.

The event welcomed over 500 visitors from Gainesville’s interfaith communities to help raise money and awareness for those affected by the war. The event featured Ukrainian food, ethnic crafts for sale, an art auction live music, games for children, henna and face painting as well as hayrides. The event raised over $8,000 and 1,200 pounds of donated clothes and toys. All of the proceeds will be spent on the needs of children in an orphanage in Dnipro and 150 displaced people in a nearby community.

“The event was just a small portion of what help the displaced civilians of Ukraine need and we will be continuing our efforts as will the Bhaktivedanta Krishna community,” said Egorovets. “Right now, Ukraine is suffering from attacks on the energy system. People are facing a tough situation. They desperately need autonomous power generators that we are hoping we can get donated from the community.”

The final certificates of Appreciation from the City was to honor the artwork of the students from the Bhaktivedanta Academy whose work has been displayed in the City Hall foyer. The students contributed over 70 pieces of art to the “Art Through The Eyes Of A Child” Exhibit with many of the works being sold to add funds to the Ukraine relief effort. The remaining art pieces will be sent with the money and clothing donations that are going to Ukraine to be given to the children at the orpahnage to hopefully bring a bit of joy and show that children from America care about them.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. ‒ Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr. and his team are excited to present the latest graduates from our Teen Driver Challenge program which was held at the Institute for Public Safety this weekend.

The Florida Sheriffs Association Teen Driver Challenge is a free advanced driving class designed to help Alachua County high school students become safer, more confident drivers. This one-day class is taught by certified law enforcement driving instructors, and involves exposing the teen drivers to many different situations they may encounter while driving on the open roads.

The Teen Driver Challenge is an advanced driving class. Applicants are required to be at least 15 years old and possess a valid, state-issued Learner’s License or Driver License. In addition, applicants should already have basic driving knowledge and abilities, with enough practical driving experience to feel comfortable behind the wheel.

You can learn more about the program by visiting our website at https://acso.us/teen-driver-challenge or calling the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Relations Bureau at (352) 367-4099 between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. There will be additional classes in January, February and March of 2023. To reserve a seat for an upcoming Teen Driver Challenge class, please e-mail your contact information to: teendriver@acso.us.

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ALACHUA ‒ For 19 years the Bits and Spurs Horse Club of Alachua County has held an annual fundraiser horse ride to continue the community remembrance of Dallas Osborne while helping a passionate 4-H member achieve their goals with a $500 scholarship. The fundraiser was sidelined during the COVID pandemic, but last year thanks to Addison Grosz, the event was back in action. Grosz, a current senior at Eastside High School, president of the club and the 4-H “Horseman of the Year” for the State of Florida, was instrumental in restarting the annual trail ride fundraiser. So successful was the last ride that it raised enough money for three scholarships. This year Grosz hopes to repeat that success.

4H is a nationwide organization that provides hands-on learning, to kids 8-18 to build confidence, creativity and curiosity as well as life skills such as leadership and resiliency to help them thrive today and tomorrow. Although mainly geared toward agriculture, the organization also has programs in science, healthy living and civic engagement—and provides these programs to over six million kids nationwide through a network of 100 public university sponsors and a community of 4H volunteers and professionals.

In 4H programs, kids and teens complete hands-on projects where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. 4H exist in every county in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4H camps.

A popular 4H program locally is the Bits and Spurs program that teaches horsemanship. One of the members of this program was high school student Dallas Osborne who was known for his dedication in teaching younger students and his leadership in the program.

Over 20 years ago, Osborne was tragically killed in a car accident, but his memory lives on through a scholarship program awarded to a graduating 4H high school student who is a member of the horse club and who exemplifies the traits Dallas shared. Each student applying for the scholarship is required to write an essay, with the winning student can use the scholarship for whatever post high school education they choose.

In a matter of weeks, this year the ride will happen on Feb. 4, 2023, and is open to any rider who wants to participate and help raise funds for the scholarships. Check in is slated for 9:30 a.m. at the North San Felasco Trail Head located at 13201 Progress Blvd., Alachua, FL 32615.

The first ride will start at 10 a.m. with additional rides later depending on the number of participants. Early Bird Registration for 4-H Youth Riders is $20 if signing up before Jan. 15. Regular / Day-Of registration fee is $30. Both fees cover admission, a t-shirt, raffle ticket and lunch at 12:30 p.m.

More information is available on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bitsandspurs4H/ or by calling 352-574-3215.Advanced tickets can be purchased at Evenbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-dallas-osborne-trail-ride-tickets-405324936797.

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