NEWS BRIEFS

Lee County is looking for volunteers

To help with discrimination cases

 The Lee County Office of Equal Opportunity is seeking volunteers to serve as Hearing Officers in employment and housing discrimination cases.

"Some of the charges in which our investigators determine a discriminatory act occurred require that the charge be adjudicated in a public hearing, or administrative trial, pursuant to Lee County ordinances." said Paul Valenti, Manager of the Lee County Office of Equal Opportunity.

"As we do not have a Hearing Officer on staff, and as we are striving to maintain a lean budget, we are hoping volunteers from the community will step forward to fulfill this vital role." said Valenti.

Noting the complex and technical legal and factual issues usually involved in claims of discrimination, Valenti suggested that the ideal volunteer for a Hearing Officer may be an attorney (active or retired) or experienced human relations or human resources professional.

"Though these backgrounds easily lend themselves to assuming the duties of a Hearing Officer, we encourage anyone with an interest in serving to send a resume and cover letter detailing their experience as well as the reason why they are interested in this voluntary position." Valenti concluded.

Interested persons should respond to: Lee County Office of Equal Opportunity Attn.: Paul Valenti, Manager P.O. Box 398 Fort Myers, Fl33909 pvalenti@leegov.com Fax: (239) 485-2262

Blood donors needed

Supply critical to local hospitals

All blood types are needed and Florida's Blood Centers is calling out the general public to donate as soon as possible. With spring break, vacations and annual events in full swing, Florida's temporary population swells and accidents multiply. Unfortunately many accidents and surgeries occur at a time of low blood donations.

All blood types are needed at this time and any one who has ever considered giving blood is encouraged to contact any Florida's Blood Centers location as soon as possible. Florida's Blood Centers serves our local hospitals by supplying them with blood. All donations stay in our community to help save lives. Any person who donates blood is giving life to those who need transfusions for surgeries and emergencies.

For information go to www.floridasbloodcenters.org

Local attorney helping children get adopted

SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

There are currently 112 children available for adoption in Southwest Florida; all have suffered at the hands of abuse and neglect. Thirty-five of those children do not have a family identified to take them home.

Each month, the Children's Network of Southwest Florida works to recruit families for these children. Once a home is found and approved, the Children's Network then petitions the Court to finalize the adoption.

One local attorney is lending her expertise and time to make this process easier. Alison Hussey, a partner with the Pavese Law Firm, has volunteered to do pro-bono adoption finalizations for these needy children.

"So often legal professionals deal with people who are in unhappy situations," said Hussey, who is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator. "I have the opportunity to help innocent children become part of loving families. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?" With her assistance, the Children's Network will finalize more adoptions in less time.

There is still more to be done. Attorneys who are be interested in following in Hussey's footsteps are urged to call the Children's Network of Southwest Florida at 226-1524.

The Children's Network of Southwest Florida is committed to working with the community in building and maintaining a child protective system that promotes safety and stability for children and families.

With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and West Palm Beach, the Pavese Law Firm has been providing legal expertise to individuals and businesses since 1949.

Southwest Florida VisionWalk to raise funds for blindness research

SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

The Foundation Fighting Blindness will host its Second Annual 5K VisionWalk in Southwest Florida on Sunday, April 13 at the Lee County Sports Complex. Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the Walk begins at 10 a.m. Last year's inaugural Walk in Southwest Florida raised more than $20,000.

The event will raise money for the research that will lead to cures for retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease, and numerous others. These diseases affect more than nine million Americans of all races and ethnic groups, young and old.

"It's heartbreaking to see children and adults alike suffer from diseases that are causing blindness," said Jim Buckley, Walk Chair. "The Foundation Fighting Blindness is funding key research around the world that is leading to very promising treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases. VisionWalk is an important event that will move us one step closer to a cure."

More than 200 members of the community are expected to participate in this year's Walk. Jim Farrell, Chief Meteorologist for CBS News will be in attendance as the Honorary Chair. Special thanks to Miracle Stadium as a Gold Sponsor. Every Walker that pre-registers online for the Southwest Florida VisionWalk will each receive a pair of tickets to stay for the 1:05 p.m. game (gates open at Noon) as the Miracles take on the Dunedin Blue Jays.

To participate in the Southwest Florida VisionWalk, or to learn more about supporting local or national VisionWalk events or the Foundation Fighting Blindness, visit www.Vision- Walk.org or call toll free (866) 782-7330.