Reminder: City’s annual July 4 celebration postponed in 2020
Independence Day is right around the corner, but the City of Plant City’s annual celebration has been put on hold for a year due to the pandemic.
“In the interest of our community’s wellbeing, the annual July 4th Celebration has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns,” the Parks and Recreation Department said in a June 8 Facebook post. “The Plant City Parks & Recreation Department and The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce have determined that the event cannot be held under the current COVID-19 guidelines. Though we are disappointed to not host our normal celebrations, the wellbeing of all residents and visitors is of our foremost concern. Thank you to our many community partners who help make this special event possible each year! Stay safe and be #PlantCityStrong!”
COVID-19 mask distribution sites
Plant City residents or businesses in need of face masks have plenty of free options available to them now.
The City of Plant City and Hillsborough County are giving out free masks at several area locations as long as supplies last, no questions asked. Residents do not need to provide their address or live within certain zip codes to get masks, though there is a limit of one pack of five masks per person (more available upon request).
Residents can pick up masks at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., at Fire Rescue #1’s Administration Office, 604 E. Alexander St. or at the Plant City Parks and Recreation Department Administration Office, 1094 S. Park Road. Residential pick-up hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Businesses can get masks at either the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St., or at the Plant City Main Street office at 118 W. Reynolds St. Both sites are open Monday through Friday but have separate hours: the Chamber of Commerce will give out masks between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., while Main Street distributes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All sites are closed on weekends and holidays. Call 813-659-4255 for more information.
County offers hurricane prep resources
Hillsborough County published its 2020 Disaster Preparedness Guide and enhanced the HCFLGov.net/StaySafe web portal last week to help residents get ready as hurricane season goes on.
The Disaster Preparedness Guide contains steps to “get storm-ready today” with essential items to pack, sheltering and evacuation tips, home prep, flood zone clarification, phone numbers and websites to know in the event of emergency, a list of shelters and more. You can find free guides in English and Spanish in most county offices, libraries, post offices and Publix supermarkets.
The HCFLGov.net/StaySafe web portal expands upon that and includes tips to make your own disaster supply kits, which have since been updated to account for COVID-19 safety precautions.
“Experts predict this hurricane season will be 40 percent more active and are advising the public to prepare now because the challenges could be even greater with the COVID-19 coronavirus remaining a threat,” county spokespeople said in a press release.
Relief supply drive ongoing
The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County is helping more than 700 Tampa Bay-area childcare providers with a relief supply drive through July 22.
The ELCHC said in a press release it surveyed childcare providers and found they tend to be short on thermometers, sanitizing supplies, paper goods, masks and gloves, so it’s collecting these items as well as monetary donations to keep the county’s youngest residents safer.
“It is our responsibility to help childcare providers throughout the year, but our board felt it especially important to assist educators who are now experiencing mounting challenges as a result of COVID-19,” ELCHC Chief Executive Officer Gordon Gillette said. “This program will help ensure critically-needed supplies and help level the playing field for our community’s early learning programs that have continued their commitment to care for our children.”
The ELCHC set a fundraising goal of $50,000, but it’s already halfway there thanks to a $25,000 donation from TECO Peoples Gas and TECO Energy. That money will help purchase infrared medical-grade thermometers. A donation from ELCHC chairman Aakash Patel will provide more than 200 surgical masks to childcare centers.
Supplies collected during the drive will be distributed in early August and monetary donations are encouraged because they are subject to matching funds. Visit elchc.org/donate or contact Alison Fraga, ELCHC Director of Resource Development and Community Relations, at afraga@elchc.org to donate.
Florida Insurance Center helps PCPD and PCFR
Plant City Police Department and Plant City Fire Rescue have received a grant to purchase safety equipment through the Westfield Legacy of Caring program. The program, an arm of Westfield Insurance Foundation, invites insurance agents to nominate local nonprofits to receive grant money each year as a way to “invest in communities and help impact disaster recover, family stability and safety,” Westfield said in a press release.
“With the pandemic, Westfield’s Legacy of Caring program became even more relevant because it will take months and maybe years to return to the stability and security people and businesses, including nonprofits, enjoyed before a disaster happened,” Dennis Brownlee, Agency Principal, said.
Westfield’s program donated more than half a million dollars around the country in 2020 and has distributed more than $3 million in the last five years. Florida Insurance Center nominated PCPD and PCFR for this year’s grant.