CRESTVIEW — Dignitaries at the city, county and state level attended an Aug. 29 ceremony where 17-year-old Holt resident Railey Conner accepted the Florida Health Care Association Young Adult Volunteer of the Year award.

The Baker School honor student is a regular volunteer at Crestview Rehabilitation Center, whose staff nominated her for the award. It recognizes her work securing Christmas gifts for and visiting residents in Crestview nursing homes since the age of 11. 

"We appreciate everyone that came out to make this day for Railey special, because she certainly makes our patients' lives special every year," Renita Infinger, CRC administrator, said. When she started working at the CRC three years ago, it was the first time in 31 years that she hadn't had to scramble around for patient gifts to let them have any Christmas.

"Railey is a huge part of that and I appreciate that greatly," Infinger said at the ceremony.

FHCA officials present included Director of Communications Kristen Knapp and Chief Lobbyist Bob Asztalos. Knapp said the FHCA represents over 550 of Florida's 685 nursing homes.

"We have a volunteer committee of administrators from across Florida that helped judge with these awards. They were so impressed with this amazing young lady," she said.

"Volunteers are really at the heart of quality of life for our residents … these people have given so much back to our communities, and to have such an inspiring young lady give of herself and inspire her friends and others in the community … her nomination stood above the rest," Knapp said.

Crestview Mayor David Cadle, Okaloosa County School Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson, Okaloosa School Board member Tim Bryant, and State Rep. Mel Ponder were also among those present.

Ponder called Railey's efforts "phenomenal."

"I don't know if you'll ever be able to tell the impact you’ve made in the lives of many, but I do hope and pray that you'll get to witness that at some point in time, so just from my perspective, congratulations. I'm really honored by your victory today and the recognition by Florida Health Care in representing Northwest Florida so well," he said.

Railey expressed her gratitude for the award and encouraged those present to give of themselves.

"I just wanted to say that it's very easy to give your time. It doesn't cost a thing. Just like when you have three days, just come up here, even, and hang out. All those residents over there are actually pretty cool. I love hanging out with them.

"If you call bingo, you'd better call it right though, or else you're going to hear it … They're like my bonus grandparents and I wouldn't trade them for anything," she said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Holt resident accepts state volunteer award

CRESTVIEW — A Florida organization will recognize a Holt senior Aug. 29 for her volunteer work helping residents in area nursing homes.

Railey Conner, 17, is a Baker School student. Crestview Rehabilitation Center nominated her as a Youth Florida Health Care Association Volunteer of the Year candidate and were notified that she won the award this month.

CRC Administrator Renita Infinger said FHCA represents over 82 percent of Florida’s nursing homes, over 550 of Florida’s 685 facilities, and Railey was chosen out of all the young adults who volunteer in member centers across the state.

In the nomination essay, Infinger stated, "Not only does she deliver Christmas gifts, but she also develops lasting relationships with many of the patients. She knows many patients by name, and she knows their hobbies, interests and life stories … Railey helps our patients reach their full potential by getting to know our patients and by giving them something to look forward to each year."

Railey said working with nursing and rehabilitation residents has made her focus more on her studies as an honor student.

"What happens now won't necessarily matter in the future, so I kind of focus on my studies more than the whole popularity thing that a lot of people focus on in high school … I want to focus on the big picture, because it's like you need to kind of do what's best for your future and take advantage of opportunities … It's shaped me into the person I am today because I do spend a lot of time volunteering. It's made me more compassionate, I would say."

What started out as a charitable way to celebrate her 10th birthday in 2010 has become a way of life for Railey.

"It started because my grandmother was in a nursing home and had Alzheimer's for a number of years at that point, so we used to go to church and take her by the nursing home … the first thing Railey wanted to do was make sure all the residents there got Christmas presents," Railey's mother, Angie Holland, said.

"It has varied from someone wanting red lipstick and red hair to wanting a thing of cheese puffs and a 12 pack of Dr. Pepper. And she makes sure that whatever they have asked for, they get that," Holland said.

Railey said the most popular requests are crosswords, word search puzzles; bingo; large-piece puzzles suitable for young children and items with different textures for Alzheimer's patients.

"But really, they just like to see people … if you have a day or two or three and  you're willing to go out there and chill with some old people, that really means the most to them," Railey said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Teen Volunteer of the Year has a passion for giving

CRESTVIEW — Donors have contributed $750 of the $2,000 requested for a DeFuniak Springs resident injured in a June 29 accident.

The daughter of Priscilla Grubbs of Crestview, Sheana Moran was on her way to her mom's house to pick up her two daughters and sister when the three-vehicle wreck occurred at the intersection of Camellia Avenue and U.S. Highway 90.

Moran, 26, said her boss started the fundraiser, listed at https://www.gofundme.com/sejna-helping-a-beautiful-soul, to help her purchase a replacement after her car was totaled in the wreck.

"I thank everyone for supporting me and all the donations. This will really mean a lot," she said.

She spent a week in the hospital and three days in rehabilitation before going home to recuperate.

"I have a broken, right-side wrist; a laceration on my right knee from one side to the other, down to the bone; and a broken, right ankle. They had to go in on both sides of my ankle because it just wasn't broken; it was shattered," Moran said.

She can't bear weight on her right side and uses a platform walker and a wheelchair to get around.

Her sister, Leslie Moran, who lives with her, has been her caretaker.

"I have a three-month-old of my own. Sometimes I'm not able to tend to her when she's crying when I'm assisting Sheana in her daily routines such as bathing, dressing, doing her hair, sometimes have to assist toileting her, etc. I also have to take care of her two kids as well as my own. I take care of all responsibilities in the home as well: cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.

"At the end of the day, even though life isn't a walk in the park right now, all that matters to me and the rest of my family is that Sheana is alive," Leslie said.

Sheana said her surgeon wanted her to wait until late August or September to return to work. As the main provider and currently the only person with transportation at her home, Sheana wanted to go back to work earlier.

She returned to work July 30 instead, as the last check she received from her job otherwise was July 27.

The Florida Highway Patrol issued her a citation for careless driving after the accident. She disputes the FHP's account and hired an attorney.

"The only reason I am fighting this is because even though I don't remember the accident, I know from the evidence … that (some witness statements were) not true … it just makes me wonder how many other people have wrongly been charged," Sheana said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DeFuniak Springs car wreck victim seeks help

The Crestview Police and Fire Departments are hosting the Crestview Battle of the Badges, a blood drive for the Red Cross.

The departments are having a friendly competition to see which one can get the most blood donated.

A, B and O types are among the types needed, according to a media release for the event.

A Red Cross Bloodmobile will be on site 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 20 at Crestview City Hall, 198 Wilson St. N. Lunch will be served free of charge.

The Red Cross is the sole provider of blood to the North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview.

Visit www.redcrossblood.org and use code "crestview" to schedule an appointment.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview first responders schedule blood drive

CRESTVIEW — Sharon Garcia, a 11th grader at Crestview High School of Crestview was a delegate to the recent Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Lowell, Massachusetts.

The congress is an honors-only program in Lowell, Massachusetts for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists created the program to help students stay true to their dream and provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.

Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and NAFPMS science director, nominated Garcia to represent Florida based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.

Garcia and fellow attendees heard Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners talk about leading medical research; got advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; heard stories directly from patients who are living medical miracles; and heard from their fellow teen medical science prodigies. They also learned about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.

"This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially," said Richard Rossi, executive director, National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists.

The academy offers free services and programs to students who want to be physicians or go into medical science. Some of the services and programs the academy offers are online social networks through which future doctors and medical scientists can communicate; opportunities for physicians and medical students to guide and mentor other students, and communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance and more.

Visit www.FutureDocs.com or call 617-307-7425 for more information on NAFPMS and its programs.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Garcia attends Congress of Future Medical Leaders

BAKER —  A Ropin' the Truth Ministries fundraiser will benefit a Crestview girl recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

The community event will feature food concessions, a kiddie corral, auctions, four-division barrel horse racing and other activities for attendees.

It begins with an exhibition at 5:30 p.m. at the Baker Area Recreation Center, 5503 U.S. Highway 4, Baker. Competition starts at 7:30 p.m.

Attendance is free to spectators, but cost to race participants is $25 for youths age 18 an younger, and $35 for people age 19 and up.

"All the proceeds from the concession stand, auction items, baked goods, and barrel race will go to the family. Every single penny raised will go to the family," Brandon Stidham of Cross Creek Country Fellowship church said.

"We are hoping to have over 100 barrel racers that night and some youth riders all competing for a cash prize and awards. We are still accepting items for the silent auction and monetary donations also."

Stidham said the event was originally going to be held at the church's Ropin' the Truth Ministry arena, but had to move the event due to the generous response they received from the community.

"After generous donations for the barrel race itself we realized we could not hold all the trucks and trailers that this event would be bring in, so we had to move the event to the Baker Arena," Stidham said.

The event will feature plenty of non-horse-related activity as well.

"Come hungry, because the concessions will be great, along with the desserts from the baked goods auction that will be held," he said.

Contact Brandon Stidham at 490-7013 or Kelley Stidham at 418-4429 for more information about the barrel race.

Maleia, daughter of Malcolm and Kristy Spears, has had two surgeries to remove as much of the tumor as possible. She is now in the middle of radiation treatments that will continue through mid-July and hopefully eradicate the remaining tumor.

Monetary contributions may also be  made to Maleia L. Spears Supplemental Needs Trust, c/o Kristen Ellis, Welton Law Firm, 1020 S. Ferdon Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Riding for Maleia