Beneficiary of 2017 Classic Car Show Proceeds
Eckerd College Search and Rescue is one of the most unique programs offered to Eckerd students. A portion of the proceeds from the 2017 Tierra Verde Business Partnership Classic Car Show has been awarded to EC-SAR – the nation’s only collegiate volunteer maritime search and rescue team.
The Tampa Bay boating community is very familiar with the services from EC-SAR. The program has been around for 46 years. From towing a disabled boat to responding to a fire onboard, EC-SAR answered almost 650 calls for assistance last year alone. Students often cooperate with our own Tierra Verde Fire Dept. as well.
EC-SAR is funded through a variety of sources, with a large portion of its budget coming from the local community. So it is a pleasure for TVBP to present a check to this worthy organization.
Outstanding Tierra Verde Business of the Year
TD Bank has been the major sponsor of the Tierra Verde Tree Lighting event since year one, and they have continued to be the major sponsor for the past seven years.
Our annual events would not have been possible without the primary funding from TD Bank. They were partners in developing the Christmas Tree Lighting as an island tradition and successful community event which showed the way to other events like the Classic Car Show and Oktoberfest.
They were one of the original supporters of TVBP and have been a member of the orginization from the beginning. Noemy Gonzlez and her staff have participated in nearly all of our events with their personal support and booth presence with fun giveaways. And they have supported our local businesses and community associations with loan assistance and convenience of banking.
It is with great pleasure we award TD Bank as TVBP Outstanding Tierra Verde Business of the Year!
TVBP Person of the Year
As president of the Tierra Verde Community Association, Jerry Frulio has lead the board in a new direction that is inclusive of the efforts of the TVBP. Through his direction the board has allocated TVCA funds for 2017 and 2018 to the three annual events sponsored by TVBP in the community. These events are now announced to the community via the TVCA emails.
Jerry has personally been involved with the Tree Lighting event by his personal donations and sponsorship the past few years and even volunteered for the Oktoberfest dunk tank.
Jerry has been the driving force behind several projects and issues confronting Tierra Verde. Some of the main issues on which he has demonstrated leadership are the Shell Key Closure Management Plan, Tierra Verde Bridge replacement and construction, Pinellas Bayway Beautification grant, the proposed TVCA Communication Recreation Center, and neighborhood watch programs.
We are pleased to award Jerry Frulio TVBP Person of the Year.
TVBP Community Appreciation Award
Rick Bryant is the owner of Island Produce in downtown Tierra Verde and has been an unofficial ambassador and all-around cheerleader for all the Tierra Verde businesses, social organizations, and residents on the island.
Over the years he has generously donated food to charity events and delivered his delicious soups and other recipes to residents who are under the weather. He tells everyone about the TVBP events and introduces new residents to the Island Chapel, the Women’s Club, and other organizations. Not to mention he helps his neighboring businesses by taking out their trash and at night bringing them food when they get so busy they can’t leave their desks.
With our thanks we present the TVBP Community Appreciation Award to Rick Bryant.
TVBP President’s Award
Dan Reichard joined the TVBP board of directors three years ago as the media director and immediately set to work revamping the TVBP web site and enhancing of the production values of the annual directory mailed to Tierra Verde and Isla del Sol owners and residents.
Since then he has streamlined systems to facilitate online event RSVPs, online sponsor and vendor enrollment/payment for TVBP events, and this past year created a mechanism for new members to join online and existing members to renew. This last year he also took on the role of communications director and launched and email system that is friendly to both desktop and mobile device users.
Dan works tirelessly to keep up the TVBP systems. The TVBP has “grown up” because of his expertise and volunteer efforts in regard to the TVBP website and communications.
It is with great pleasure we recognize Dan Reichard’s contributions and commitment with the TVBP President’s Award.
Beneficiary of 5th Annual Tierra Verde Oktoberfest Proceeds
The beneficiary of this year’s Tierra Verde Oktoberfest is Kids With Cancer Holiday Party, Inc. which, as the name implies, provides a holiday party to children with cancer and their families complete with presents, food, drinks, entertainment, dancing, games and even a visit from Santa Claus. It’s a It is a wonderful event that gives the children an opportunity to temporarily forget about their illness and have one day of normalcy.
With our deepest gratitude for the work they do we are pleased to donate proceeds from the 5th Annual Tierra Verde Oktoberfest to Kids with Cancer Holiday Party, Inc.
2016 Outstanding Business of the Year
It takes an exceptional leader to keep a real estate business strong and healthy since 1980 on Tierra Verde. But Randall (Randy) Ierna wouldn’t want the credit to all go to his leadership. Being a local historian, Randy would want you to know the background of the note-worthy Century 21 Coast to Coast office. This business, originally named Century 21 Spinning Wheel, was established in 1980. This office merged with Century 21 Coast to Coast in 2009, following a 2001 merger with Century 21 Sunshine. So there’s been some changes. But Randy and his fellow realtors, now numbering 39, have always been keen on helping Tierra Verde. The community activities and support include the latest: Oktoberfest, Auto Show and Christmas Tree Lighting, sponsoring and volunteering for Tierra Verde Business Partnership whenever needed.
It’s with great pleasure we honor Century 21 Coast to Coast, specializing in residential, land, commercial, industrial and rentals.
2016 TVBP Person of the Year
Corrine St. Jean and Laurie Clemente started the Go Verde group in the Tierra Verde Women’s Club in 2009. Since inception, the group has collected nearly 4 tons of trash at the Bunces Pass Bridge (south of Tampa Bay Watch). This is equivalent to the weight of a female African Elephant!
Corrine’s group has put in over 1,273 hours keeping our beach clean, and has collected over 7,740 lbs. of debris and filament!
2016 TVBP Appreciation Award
Not only are Captain Larry Thompson and his team of fire professionals working hard to keep our community safe, but they also work hard to facilitate a cohesive community of support through events such as “Burgers and Badges.” At TVBP community events you will see Captain Larry and his crew providing tours of emergency equipment, keeping kids safe on the “fire truck” bounce house, collecting toys for tots, and much more. His crew also raises funds for their own training through their pancake breakfast at the fire station.
Lealman Fire District officially took over fire and emergency medical service on Tierra Verde on October 1, 2009 and we couldn’t be more grateful!
Beneficiary of 2016 Oktoberfest Proceeds
The Miracle League Gulf Beaches gives special-needs children a chance to have a better life through playing baseball. Their playing field is a rubberize surface so the children can safely use their crutches and wheel chairs while participating. The group is in need of having this special field resurfaced to keep it safe for all who play on it. To that end, it is with great pleasure TVBP announces the donation of all $5,000 of proceeds from its 2016 Oktoberfest to Miracle League Gulf Beaches. If you would like to contribute, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/2ch6gth6.
Congratulations Miracle League Gulf Beaches, and thank you for the work you do!
2015 Outstanding Business of the Year
Our 2015 Business of the Year award goes to The Island Grille and Raw Bar. This business is always in the middle of our activities and a supporter of every community event on the island.
They have been the unofficial headquarters of the Tierra Verde Business Partnership for meetings and socials for the past 3 years.
The Island Grille has created an atmosphere for residents to meet and greet, and of course, where “everybody knows your name.”
The Island Grille owners have made a major investment in the future of Tierra Verde by building a new and bigger restaurant in the Tierra Verde Marina Resort for all of us to enjoy.
Thank you to Bob, Colleen, Karen, and Lauren for your hospitality and support of the community.
2015 TVBP Person of the Year
Our person of the year is Founder and President of Tampa Bay Watch, Peter Clark. Peter has spent many years on Tierra Verde and in the waters surrounding the island.
Under his watch, the organization has coordinated more than 100,000 volunteers, installed 10,000 oyster reef units and 1,200 tons of oyster shell to create more than two miles of oyster shell reef communities, planted more than 1MM salt marsh grasses to restore 200 acres of coastal tidal ponds to Tampa Bay.
In 2005, he coordinated the construction of a $4 million marine and education center on the island. Peter has received many environmental awards and works every day to preserve the delicate ecological balance that exists in Tampa Bay . . . something we all benefit from living on Tierra Verde.
Lately, Peter has been aggressively involved in helping the residents with the Shell Key Preserve Shifting Sands issue serving as an objective and scientific voice for the restoration of the Shell Key Pass.
2015 TVBP Appreciation Award
We appreciate all the volunteers and special people who make a difference in this community every day. One of those persons is someone who we are all touched by her efforts whether you realize it or not.
She is at the beginning, middle, and end of every project on this island and is responsible for the success of the TVBP events. Betsy Judge called her the “glue of the organization” and Gary Steinhauer says she is “The ultimate personality to have on your team.”
She does all of this without accepting credit or praise for her actions. So with our deepest appreciation we would like to recognize Gaye Wurzbacher for her extraordinary contributions and ongoing commitment to TVBP and the community of Tierra Verde.
Beneficiaries of 2015 Oktoberfest Proceeds
It is with great pleasure we announce the donation of $1,500 to Southern Guide Dogs and $1,500 to Tampa Bay Watch. These outstanding organizations are the beneficiaries of proceeds from the 2015 Oktoberfest. Congratulations, and thank you for the work you do!
