Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 11-7-17

Features
Tampa Teenager Presented 2017 ‘National Caring Award’
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
N’Jhari Jackson began demonstrating his love for his fellow man at an early age. He was only 6-years-old when he launched his “Pajama Buddies” Program.
It began while he was at Shriners Hospital For Children undergoing a surgical procedure. A nurse gave him a stuffed animal to comfort him. And, when he encountered another child experi- encing the same anxiety that he had, he gave the stuffed animal to that child.
And that is how the “Pajama Buddies” Pro- gram came into existence under the auspices of the Pajama Buddy Voyage Foundation. When he returned home, he raised funds and accepted do- nations to expand the program.
N’Jhari has continued to demonstrate his concerns in various other programs. Last month, the teenager was presented the 2017 National Caring Award. The presentation took place on Oc- tober 14th in Long Beach, California. The award was presented to N’Jhari by the Caring Institute at their 30th Annual Caring Award Ceremony, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
N’Jhari was accompanied to the ceremony by his mother, Ms. LaShina Lewis, who continues to support N’Jhari with each new venture.
The five youth recipients were: N’Jhari Jack-
N’JHARI JACKSON
... Holding his National Caring Award
son and Paloma Rambana, Florida; Katie Prior, Oklahoma; Maria Keller, Minnesota; and Corey Nichols, New York.
Since the inception of the “Pajama Buddies” Program, N’Jhari has continued to make a dif- ference in the community. He has given thou- sands of stuffed animals to hospitalized children.
Several years ago, he created “NJ’s-Love-To- The Rescue” project to reduce Sudden Cardiac Arrest in student athletes and youth in the com- munity.
It was created as his major project to become an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 142.
N’Jhari decided to obtain AED (Automated External Defibrillators) for Paideia School of Tampa Bay, where he was attending at the time. But, after raising the money for the life-saving equipment, N’Jhari learned that no one was trained to use the equipment, although it was re- quired on campus.
Instead of abandoning the project, N’Jhari decided to raise funds to provide the training. Since the inception of the program, N’Jhari has helped to certify more than 50 adults in CPR, First-Aid, and AED use. He continues to provide AEDs to youth sports organizations.
The latest project of the 14-year-old is “Kool Sox.” So far, N’Jhari has given 1,200 pairs of “kool sox” to underprivileged children.
N’Jhari is currently an 11th grade student at Carrollwood Day School.
County Nears End Of Storm Debris Collection
With the help of residents, contractors, and Public Works staff, Hillsborough County has nearly reached its goal of collecting the remain- ing storm debris left by Hur- ricane Irma. County crews and contractors have worked seven days a week since Sept. 18 to remove more than 460,000 cubic yards of debris along nearly 4,400 miles of roadway.
With completion near, the County is encouraging resi- dents still needing debris pickup to register for collec- tion by Nov. 13.
Residents with larger pieces of Irma-related debris (stumps, logs, limbs, etc.) that are over two cubic yards and that were either missed or brought to the curb or right of way after collection must notify Hillsborough County by Monday, Nov. 13 in order to receive free collection.
Residents can notify the County of any remaining large debris piles by: Calling Solid Waste Customer Service at (813) 272-5680; Emailing DebrisRemoval@HCFLGov.n et; or Completing an online Trash & Recycling service re- quest through At Your Serv- ice.
When registering, resi- dents will need to provide contact information, address of where the remaining debris
is located in the right of way, and a description of the storm debris so that the County can dispatch the appropriate equipment for collection.
Routine tree trimmings and non-storm-related debris are not eligible for collection.
All remaining storm de- bris must be placed on the right of way in front of the im- pacted residential property by Nov. 13. Any storm debris placed on the right of way after this date will not be col- lected. All remaining storm debris is expected to be col- lected by Nov. 22.
If bagged yard waste is not picked up during regular weekly yard waste service, residents can report a missed collection at (813) 272-5680.
Residents can also dispose of yard debris at one of the County’s three yard waste col- lection sites listed below, Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Res- idents must show a valid Florida driver’s license in order to use the free disposal sites.
For more information on storm debris collection, visit HCFLGov.net/StormDebris. Solid Waste customer service representatives are available to assist residents at (813) 272-5680 or through At Your Service.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3