The Movement in West Florida...

By Becky Newell, State Coordinator (West FL) on 11/23/2010 @ 11:56 AM

Over the past few weeks, I’ve made hundreds of phone calls to people who attended Milk Party rallies in Lakeland, Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota, and Naples. As I make these calls, I am continually excited by the enthusiasm people express for the Children’s Movement.

After two local organizational meetings last week – one for Collier/Lee Counties and the other for Polk County – I’m so impressed with the level of commitment among supporters of the Movement.

One of my favorite moments from last week came at the end of the Collier/Lee organizational meeting. Several of the people who attended that meeting were completely new to the Movement. One of them, Lauren Mueller, attended after she learned about us through her involvement as a member of the Junior League of Ft. Myers.

Lauren sat quietly through the meeting, and seemed to be taking it all in – the “I Am Florida” video, the video of the CNN coverage of the Milk Parties, the discussion of the Movement’s legislative priorities, and our plans for the next few months. And then she spoke up, and said she’d like to chair the Collier/Lee County chapter!

Along with her activities with the Junior League, Lauren is a mom and a college student. But she immediately seized the opportunity to work with the Children’s Movement, and she will spread our message well as she goes through her busy days.

I want to thank Lauren and all the other dedicated individuals who have helped to organize meetings and who have stepped up to take on leadership roles in their communities. These are the people who will help us be successful.

Becky Newell
State Coordinator, West Florida
becky.newell@childrensmovementflorida.org