Rhythm and Rib Fest

Last weekend, thousands of hungry rib lovers poured onto the Manatee Fairgrounds for the 3rd annual Rhythm and Rib Fest. Tickets were 10 dollars at the door, or 5 dollars for a pre-sale ticket, that is, if you were lucky enough to get one before they sold out. The 3 day event featured endless entertainment, including an array of unique vendors, thrill shows, musical performances and a 2 day car extravaganza. But the real highlight of the weekend was the announcement for the winner of this years “Greatest Ribs in America”.

Still the most impressive part of the event was the money it raised. All of the proceeds went towards the UnitedCommunity Center, located on 13th Avenue in Bradenton. Volunteer coordinator for the center, Dreena Green, felt satisfied with the turn out, remarking that “It keeps getting better every year”. Green was just one of the many individuals devoted to making the Rhythm and Rib Fest a success. Many volunteers showed up, including a few ManaTEENs, to help at the event. They also came, as they admitted “to have some fun”.As the fest continues its annual tradition next year, Dreena hopes, as I do, that ManaTEENs will take the opportunity to get more involved in this fun and beneficial event

By Sarah Bowermaster

Furry Friends

Adorable dogs of all sizes circled the ring at Ellenton’s annual Mutt Strut event to raise both money and awareness for animal welfare. ManaTEENS attended the event to offer refreshments and information about our club, along with the Humane Society, Animal Health Services, and Animal Network. Volunteers even helped with the blessing of a future Seeing Eye dog.

Vicki Shannon from Animal Network greatly appreciated the event and the effort of the volunteers. “It’s a really nice thing to do for animals,” she said. Shannon also does nice things for animals, such as rescuing feral cats and providing them with shelter and shots for rabies. Both Shannon and ManaTEENS agree with “saving what needs saving,” which, according to Shannon, includes people in financial turmoil to abandoned animals.

By Erica Earl

HOLLA Pics / ManaTEEN Leaders

Just last weekend weekend I went to the HOLLA council photoshoot and I had a lot of fun :) The entire HOLLA council came and we took group pictures out on the beach. We took pictures walking down the beach, in the water, some funny jumping pics and since there are so many members we were able to spell out the word HOLLA! Not only was this a great way to get new pictures up on our website, it was a great bonding experience too! Emily

Kitty Donation

This summer the ManaTEEN Club has held 2 Kitty Donation Drives to help support the foster kittens at the Humane Society. These drives have been extremely successful and were very beneficial this kitten season! Thanks to all the ManaTEENs who donated kitten formula, bottles, and other supplies- you have truly made a difference and we really appreciate your contributions!!!

posted by Alycia Bower

Children's Summit

This past Saturday I spent the day at the 14Th Annual Children's Summit. I've been a regular at the Children's Summit for the past several years, volunteering my time for a variety of causes. I can usually be found at the Volunteer Services Booth for ManaTEENs. This year in particular not only did I assist at the booths, but I worked with METV on a special project to interview some of the most important and interesting guests! As always, the Children's Summit is a popular project for ManaTEENs, which isn't hard to see due to the abundance in volunteer needs, the entertainment, good food, and most importantly the cause!

Weeki Wachee Springs

Just recently I attended the ManaTEEN SOS project at Weeki Wachee Springs. What an experience it was! Along with some of my fellow ManaTEENs, I was given the opportunity to explore the fresh water springs of Weeki Wachee as we snorkeled and scuba dived to find debris along the bottom. Being that I am Bubble Blower Certified, I was allowed to snorkel through the crystal clear water collecting trash on my way. Although the water was clear, you had to swim along the bottom and look closely to find things like bottle caps, glass, and plastic. I was shocked when I pulled up a huge chunk of clear glass that was hard to see at the bottom. It could have easily sliced someones foot! After a break to get some rest and pizza, we all jumped back in the water to continue our search for debris. We even got to kick around to pull some of it up to grab easier! Not only did we find debris beneath the surface, but I also came into close encounters with a turtle, and even some fish! This was by far one of my favorite projects!
- Patrick

ManaTEEN Alum

It is hard to believe that I became a ManaTEEN member nearly eight years ago, when I was an eigth grader at Lee Middle. Volunteering was something I was used to doing with my family, but it quickly grew into a passion and hobby of mine. One of the first ManaTEEN sponsored opportunities I participated in was Adopt-a-Pet at the local Petsmart. My sister, and a friend of mine helped dogs and cats from the Humane Society get adopted and provided care for the animals too. For those like me who love animals there are always new opportunities to work with them and the Humane Society is always looking for foster families- just check your ManaTEEN e-mails each week! While animal welfare is a popular foci in the ManaTEEN Club, there are also many more opportunities that are interesting!

As a ManaTEEN member, you have the ability to volunteer at projects that deal with health and human services, disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response, the environment, and even technology! In the past I have been able to work with children at school festivals, serve food to Meals on Wheels recipients, and organize donations for those in need such as soldiers, expectant mothers, and senior citizens. Another project that I will never forget took place in Arcadia after Hurricane Charley hit. As a member of the ManaTEENs Advisory Council (MAC), I traveled to Arcadia with the rest of the council to restore a home that was severely damaged by the storm. Seeing the wreckage in the area was upseting, but I am very glad I had the chance to help out those who were affected. Even though the work we did in Arcadia was somewhat difficult and it was hot outside, I will always think back on the day and remember how much fun we had as a group! As for environmental projects, beach-cleanups are always exciting. The large amounts of trash collected from the beach really make you feel good about making these public spaces cleaner for visitors and the animals that live there.

The ManaTEEN Club gives youth the opportunity to make a difference in the community, but it does much more than that. When I first joined the club, I was very nervous. I was quiet and lacked confidence in myself. All of this changed when I started volunteering and when I participated in the trainings the club offers! The first training I attended was a Points of Light Youth Leadership training(PYLI) taught by ManaTEEN Club founder, Laura Lockwood. This training brought me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to people that became my best friends and whom I still talk with today! These people were like a second family to me and together we traveled to Tallahassee to conduct our own training on youth volunteerism, civic engagement and advocacy called Service Learning Impacting Citizenship(SLIC). The memories I have made as a ManaTEEN are incredible! As a ManaTEEN member I finally had friends and the doors that were opened to new opportunities were endless!

There are so many trainings that the ManaTEEN Club has. I have been extremely fortunate because I have been able to take not only the leadership trainings, but also aging sensativity training, Volunteer Reception Center training, journalism training at Poynter Institute, and Toastmasters, a public speaking course(a SPECIAL THANKS to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation). My writing skills, communication skills, leadership skills have all improved! These trainings have been helpful in college as well. The experiences I had as a ManaTEEN have built my character and allowed me to have an idea of what I wanted to pursue a career in.

After graduating from high school I was able to serve as an AmeriCorps* Summer VISTA because of the ManaTEEN Club. I have continued to serve my community and I am so grateful to the ManaTEEN Club!!!! I would not be the person I am today if it were not for my involvement in the Club and the amazing people! Now as a junior at the University of South Florida, I work for Volunteer Services of Manatee County, Inc and get to watch all the new members who join! Life couldn't be any better! I want to thank the Executive Director of the Volunteer Center, Adraine LaRoza, ManaTEEN Club founder and Program Director, Laura Lockwood, and the rest of the staff! I love you guys!

It is great to be a ManaTEEN Alum! I will always cherish my time as a ManaTEEN and the people whose lives I impacted, AND those who impacted mine! I could probably write a novel about my time as a ManaTEEN, but I'll bring this blog to an end- JOIN ManaTEENS!

posted by Ashley Bower