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Solomon Strong

Posted on Oct 14, 2022 in Current Events, Families In Need, Helping Families

Vanessa Solomon is a St. Lucie County school teacher and graduation coach at Fort Pierce Central. After a difficult battle with breast cancer in 2016, including multiple rounds of chemotherapy and several painful surgeries, in 2022, Vanessa’s cancer proved to be relentless and spread into her lymph nodes. Her new diagnosis is Stage 4 incurable Metastatic Breast Cancer. Currently in palliative care, Vanessa’s doctors are doing their best to keep her comfortable for the remainder of her life. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to show Vanessa and the Solomon family a little of our love and community support? You can do that just by ordering dinner at Big Apple Pizza in Fort Pierce on Wednesday, October 26th. One hundred percent of all sales (food and drink), plus tips and staff salaries will be donated to the Solomon family to help. Of course, if you can donate blood, that would be...

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‘Slices for Seniors’ Serves Thousands of Nursing Home Residents

Posted on Mar 7, 2021 in Current Events, Families In Need, Helping Families

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — It has been more than a year since COVID-19 put seniors on lockdown in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This week, an effort to bring joy to seniors who otherwise feel isolated and alone hit its one year mark. Scott Van Duzer, owner of Big Apple Pizza in Fort Pierce and founder of the Van Duzer Foundation nonprofit, started “Slices for Seniors” at the beginning of the pandemic. Van Duzer and groups of volunteers and donors would deliver pizzas to the facilities, along with t-shirts and handmade cards. Treasure Coast Hospice, Dr. Shamser Singh, We Honor Veterans, Dragonfly Graphics, and Seacoast Bank gave donations in addition to community members to make the effort a success. “We’ve hit every nursing home and assisted living facility in St. Lucie County and a little over 5,000 seniors in one year,” Van Duzer said. Read...

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Apply For A Job and Get a Free Pizza

Posted on May 4, 2020 in Current Events, Families In Need, Helping Families

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The coronavirus pandemic continues to cause a financial burden for many families. A new program in St. Lucie County is being launched to help ease some stress and provide an opportunity for job seekers. The program was created by local philanthropists Dr. Shamsher Singh and Scott Van Duzer. Duzer is the owner of Big Apple Pizza and Pasta in Ft. Pierce. People looking for work will have the opportunity to apply for open positions with multiple employers and take home a free pizza. Through the program, St. Lucie County residents can apply for a job with up to five local employers, get linked to a database for additional positions, update career skills and find out more about skill and career opportunities through CareerSource Research Coast. Those wishing to take part in the program just need to stop by Big Apple Pizza at 2311 South...

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Slices For Seniors

Posted on Apr 6, 2020 in Current Events, Helping Families

UPDATED MAY 2, 2020   The Treasure Coast is known for its beautiful scenery, sandy beaches, art scene, and the wide variety of activities and events it hosts throughout the year. But something that the Treasure Coast is also known for but doesn’t boast about is its strong sense of community, particularly in challenging times. When the twin sisters of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne came through in 2004, the community rallied, coming to the aid of those who had lost their homes or livelihoods and helping to rebuild an even better community. When the bottom fell out of the housing market in 2008 and the years thereafter, the community again stepped up to help those who were struggling. And in 2020, when circumstances far beyond anyone’s control impacted the entire world, the Treasure Coast community once again has found itself jumping into action to help. Simple actions of...

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Make It Count For Colton

Posted on Feb 3, 2020 in Current Events, Families In Need, Helping Families

One of the smallest members of our community is suffering, and you can help Colton and his family in their race against time to find a cure. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the mucous-producing organs in the body. For Colton Sholander, this means his lungs are constantly surrounded by mucous, making him very susceptible to respiratory infections. It means his pancreas is insufficient, keeping him from absorbing vital nutrients to aid in his growth. While there is currently no cure for Cystic Fibrosis, with our help it can be found! Colton and his big sister, Raelynn are counting on you, so come out, share a pizza and a hug for the family, and help us make sure that, in the future, CF will stand for CURE FOUND!! Join us for dinner, hugs, and support on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 4 – 10 p.m. at Big...

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Santia’s Legacy of Love

Posted on May 14, 2018 in Current Events, Helping Families

Santia’s Legacy of Love Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the movements that take our breath away. Join us on Wednesday, May 23 at 4pm to benefit Santia’s Scholarship! Click image for more...

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