Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel began Dial Hope by waking everyday at 5am to record a 2-3 minute uplifting telephone message. People began to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dial Hope took off as a global telephone and Internet ministry providing daily faith-based, non-denominational dispatches. Today a growing nonprofit foundation with a board of directors, Dial Hope recently welcomed a NASA astronaut and artist as its keynote speaker to its Annual Luncheon at Bird Key Yacht Club. Only 561 people have been to space, 60 are women, and one of them is Nicole Stott from Clearwater. “Nicole’s inspirational message about humanity is a perfect fit for Dial Hope,” explains board member Ann Babcock.

She is renowned for creatively combining the awe and wonder of her spaceflight and deep-sea experiences. Her work stimulates thought-provoking appreciation of our role as Earth's crewmates by raising awareness of all the efforts going on in space amongst 16 international countries—all working in harmony to improve life on the blue and green orb for future generations. As the first person to paint a watercolor in space—having spent three months on the International Space Station and Space Shuttle—she mentions her time spent orbiting the globe ironically brought her “back down to Earth”, realizing the interconnectivity of the universe and significance of it all. “It’s a perspective thing,” Stott says. “Instead of feeling surrounded by the planet, I was surrounding the planet”—at 17,500 miles per hour—giving her a whole new vantage point, literally as well as philosophically. “The one thing we all have in common is this planet we share,” she says. “We have to get along to take care of it and take care of each other.”

Also an aquanaut, Stott lived underwater for a three-week mission on the Aquarius undersea habitat, submerged 60-feet underwater off the coast of Key Largo in a laboratory the size of a school bus, witnessing Goliath groupers and Eagle rays through yet another wondrous window, this time a porthole. Stott believes that the international model of peaceful and successful cooperation experienced in both these extreme environments holds the key for all of humanity and mankind. “I will never run out of inspiration,” she says.

Her greatest mission today is to share this message to current and future generations, sometimes as part of a team of artists, astronauts and health experts at the Space for Art Foundation in St. Petersburg, connecting children around the world with the healing power of art. "Art is a wonderful universal tool to proactively communicate these complex things in life,” she says. And now Dial Hope aims to create a children’s forum, which Stott hopes to help launch in the near future. 

“Dial Hope is wherever you are, whenever you are in need,” Board Chair Candy Swick says, then quips, “Sounds like we need to get Dial Hope on the Space Station.” 

Photo of Nicole Stott presenting at Dial Hope Foundation's Luncheon courtesy of Jacqueline Marine Photography.

Dial Hope

For weekend warriors, athletes, gym goers and on-the-go individuals, Kamsa needs no further introduction. For hydration that seriously lasts, break the cap of the newest natural hydration beverage on the market. Kamsa drinks came from the Kamsa Indians, native to the Colombian Amazon. Powered by panela, unrefined cane extract, it proves leaps and bounds better than your average enhanced water, most likely convoluted with regular refined sugar and chemical alternatives. Panela water has been used by the Kamsa indigenous people and other native Indians in the Amazon for over 500 years, to help with hydration in their extreme environment, including high temperatures and humidity. Traditionally, panela is made by dehydrating sugar cane extract over a low heat to derive a beverage ingredient that actually adds a distinctive caramel overtone to provide the naturally sweet flavors of Kamsa drinks.

Additionally, this exoic refreshment is fueled by a packed nutritional label of natural fruit flavors, healthful electrolytes and essential antioxidants, and is also GMO, gluten and caffeine-free. Thirst-quenching and succulent flavors include High Mountain Citrus, Deep Forest Hibiscus/Mixed Berry, Wild Tropics Pineapple/Coconut and South Island Mango/Peach.  

Kamsa is headquartered out of Doral, FL, with manufacturing facilities located in Clearwater. Find Kamsa drinks at Lucky’s Market, 3501 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-260-1223. 

Photo courtesy of Kamsa.

Realtors Audrey Smith and Tiffany Dodd have joined the Venice office of RE/MAX Alliance Group, forming Dodd-Smith Partners. They assist buyers and sellers from Bradenton to Punta Gorda, with primary emphasis on the Venice and North Port markets. Smith has 12 years of experience in local real estate. Her commitment to professionalism is reflected in her award-winning customer service and numerous designations, including Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS). She is fluent in French. Dodd is a Florida native and former Venice YMCA preschool teacher with 11 years of local real estate experience. She brings strong market knowledge, customer service and marketing skills, and is experienced in all residential real estate from high-end properties and large volume acquisitions to foreclosures, short sales and everything in between. 

RE/MAX Alliance Group

Dr. Emily Saarinen, associate professor of biology and environmental studies at New College of Florida, has been named the 2019 Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher by the Society for College Science Teachers (SCST). An affiliate of the National Science Teachers Association, SCST gives the reward each year to recognize and celebrate singular science teachers who excel in their instruction, scholarship and service. As the 2019 award-winner, Saarinen will receive a year’s membership to the SCST, a $1,500 check, an honorary plaque and an invitation to the SCST National Conference in St. Louis this April, where she will serve as the featured speaker and deliver the Marjorie Garner Lecture. 

New College of Florida

Jewish Family and Children’s Service of the Suncoast, Inc., a fully accredited, community-based social service nonprofit, recently appointed Deborah Hedde-Croce as its chief people and culture officer. With more than 40 years of experience within the human resources sector, Hedde-Croce will support the CEO and further the agency’s mission by increasing the attraction and retention of outstanding talent through a comprehensive human resource program. She will be responsible for directing the development and implementation of an employee-oriented, high-performance culture and provide top-level leadership and direction for the nonprofit’s 100-plus employees. Prior to joining JFCS, Hedde-Croce served as the director of human resources for The Resort at Longboat Key Club and The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park and also acted as a human resources consultant. 

Jewish Family and Children's Service of the Suncoast

Girls Inc. of Sarasota County has hired Ella Lewis as its new Director of Advancement. A Sarasota native, Lewis has been working in the nonprofit sector since 2011. A graduate of the University of Florida, she most recently served as the Development Director for the Child Protection Center. Lewis’ responsibilities will include working with the Girls Inc. team to raise funds in support of the organization’s mission. She has also served as an active member of the Junior League of Sarasota for eight years, and is the incoming Executive Vice President of the volunteer organization. Girls Incorporated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold. 

Girls Inc.