Page 21 - Abacoa Community News- May '24

Abacoa, Page 21
Commissioner’s Update

Celebrating Volunteer Month ACC Volunteer Coordinator Holly Yoder can be contacted Public Safety – Emergency Management
at HYoder@pbc.gov or (561) 233-1200. Volunteers and interns are utilized in emergency
By Vice Mayor Environmental Resource Management (ERM) management. Also, the Community Emergency Response
Maria G. Marino ERM regularly offers various volunteer opportunities each Team (CERT) is available to both adults and teens. More
W ith its vibrant month. Please note that there are restrictions on the number of information is found here: bit.ly/49JmlbO.
communities and diverse volunteers attending each event, and a waitlist is set up when UF/IFAS Palm Beach County Extension
opportunities, Palm Beach an event becomes full. ERM volunteer opportunities are also 4-H Youth Development Program: Adult volunteers are
County offers a multitude of available here: bit.ly/3wa56CO – then click on Environmental needed for club leaders, events and project judges. Youth
ways for individuals to make Resources Management. and adults can also volunteer as members of the advisory
a meaningful impact. Whether Volunteers must register for each event they want to attend. committee. For more information visit https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.
you’re passionate about The volunteer projects are designed for volunteers ages 16 edu/palm-beach/ or contact Noelle Guay at (561) 233-1731
environmental conservation, and older. Volunteers 15 and under must be accompanied by a or NGuay@pbc.gov.
community outreach, or parent or guardian. Volunteers can register for an ERM event Mounts Botanical Garden: Gardening volunteers help in all
helping those in need, there’s by calling (561) 233-2426 or emailing amathews@pbc.gov. aspects of garden maintenance, from planting and grooming to
a volunteer opportunity waiting for you. In celebration of Library System assisting in the garden nursery with potting, weeding, pruning,
National Volunteer Month, this article will explore various Our libraries accept both teen (ages 12 to 17) and adult (ages watering, propagation and labeling. Special event volunteers
avenues for volunteering across Palm Beach County, 18-plus) volunteers year-round on an as needed basis. In late work with the public or behind the scenes to support special
highlighting departments, initiatives and events where your April/early May the web page will be updated with additional events and programs including plant sales, children and family
time and effort can make a difference. opportunities to volunteer at each library branch for the teen programs, fundraising events and more. Administrative support
Animal Care And Control (ACC) summer volunteer program. Prospective volunteers can find volunteers provide valuable administrative support by assisting
Daily volunteer opportunities include dog walker, dog current availabilities, applications and general information with mailings, data entry, copying and other office work. For
playgroup, dog puptography, dog paw spa, event dog handler, here: https://www.pbclibrary.org/volunteers/. more information, visit https://www.mounts.org/volunteer/.
doggie day out, kennel care assistants, dog and feline adoption Parks And Recreation Youth Services
counselor, feline friends, feline purrtography, cattery care Ongoing volunteer opportunities are available at Riverbend Annual Super Summer Spelling Bee – held annually in
assistants and community event volunteers. Park, recreation centers, golf courses and general/one-time July – this year on July 11. Contact Javona Wilson at JWilson@
ACC volunteer opportunities are available here: bit. volunteerism is available at beach/park cleanups. Applications pbc.gov or (561) 242-5705.
ly/3wa56CO – then click on Animal Care and Control. and more information are found here: bit.ly/444qMgq. Birth to 22 United for Brighter Futures Action Teams.
Contact PBC-Birthto22@pbc.gov or (561) 242-5705.
Future Leaders United for Change – Advisory Committee,
Property Appraiser from page 20 not increase, its assessed value may increase, causing your taxes Youth Council. Contact YSD-Future-Leaders@pbc.gov or
to rise. This is the action of Florida law in a softening market (561) 242-5705.
that follows years of rising market values when the property tax Annual Youth Summit of Palm Beach County in
caps protected property owners from significant tax increases. partnership with other agencies – held annually in April
If you have any questions about this process, please – this year was on April 27. Contact Shirlon St. Amour at
contact Residential Appraisal Services at (561) 355-2883 or SStamour@pbc.gov or (561) 355-2155.
myhouse@pbcpao.gov. As we conclude our exploration of volunteer opportunities
in Palm Beach County, we’re reminded of the incredible power
Office Closed In Honor Of Memorial Day of collective action and the difference it can make in the lives
of individuals and the well-being of our community as a whole.
The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office National Volunteer Month serves as a call to action, inspiring
(including all of our service centers) will be closed Memorial others to join the ranks of volunteers. You can assist in this call
Day, Monday, May 27. Let us gratefully remember the sacrifice of by sharing these opportunities with your fellow Palm Beach
those who died in military service for our freedom and prosperity. County residents.
Northern Notes

Lightning Safety

By Katie Roundtree,
Director of Finance and
Administration, Northern
Palm Beach County
Improvement District
Lightning, with its
unpredictable and lethal power,
is one of the most underrated
weather hazards in the United
States. Despite the common
perception that it only poses
a threat during intense storms,
the truth is far more sobering. Lightning can strike individuals
even when the center of a thunderstorm is miles away, with clear
skies overhead. This lack of awareness contributes to the startling
statistics surrounding lightning-related injuries and fatalities.

Tree struck by lightning in preserve next to a house in PGA
National. Source: Sam Payson, Northern Biologist

Florida, aptly known as the lightning capital of the
United States, experiences around 100 stormy days
each year, a stark contrast to California’s mere five. Its
geographical position nestled between the Gulf of Mexico
and the Atlantic Ocean, combined with its high heat and
humidity, creates an ideal environment for thunderstorms
and lightning. The most dangerous area stretches from St.

Northern Notes on page 22