The Helping Hands column focuses on the town’s 12 volunteer committees that promote various causes in Miami Lakes and help the town government serve the community.
Committee activities are funded by the town budget and by ticket sales from some events.
Committee: Veterans Committee
Founded: May 13, 2008
Chair: Michael Coote
Vice Chair: Larry Borman
Members: Mario Chavez, secretary; Gary Cardenas, treasurer; Judy Farcus Serra; Pedro Fiallo; Martha Gonzalez; Lourdes Iglesias; William Knickerbocker and Nicole Ortiz.
Purpose: To honoring past, present and future veterans, according to the town’s website, and work to make recommendations and potential solutions regarding veterans’ issues.
Take a stroll through Veterans Park on the west side of Miami Lakes and you’ll see several Brazilian Beauty Leaf trees. Look closer and you’ll find plaques that list a veteran’s name, photo and dates of service.
Along Miami Lakes Drive, you’ll see banners on light posts, tributes to veterans and current service members with Miami Lakes ties, a project that was originated and is still funded by Fred Senra of Miami Lakes AutoMall (who is a veteran, too), which is another project of the committee.
The group is also in charge of the Veterans Parade; the 43rd one will happen Nov. 6. They also organize the 9/11 display of 3,000 flags and the remembrance ceremony at
Veterans Park. A representative from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs is at town hall Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., for vets who may have questions about benefits: Call 786-804-2802 for appointments.
And a new charity project this year is the Reindeer Run on Dec. 10. In the works is creating a quiet spot for reflection within Veterans Park.
The Veterans Committee is one of the busiest in town and the volunteers work hard. Their projects are high-profile and get a lot of support from residents and officials.
William Knickerbocker served in the U.S. Army said he and feels his volunteer efforts are making a difference.
“We’re looking at doing ceremonies on the weekends,” Knickerbocker said, with a goal to garner support from more residents who may have more free time on Saturdays and Sundays.
He said 9/11 fell on a Sunday this year and there was a good turnout by the public for the ceremony.
During the Oct. 6 meeting, he was already planning for 9/11 in 2023, saying events could be held on a weekend again.
“I think it’s raising the consciousness of the community, to knowing there are veterans and first responders in the community,” Knickerbocker said.
With the help of Councilman Luis Collazo, the committee got the town to rename the park for veterans; it used to be called Picnic Park West.
Judy Farcus Serra said veterans are a very deserving group of people to support and during her time on the committee, she’s grown fond of them.
“Each event we have put on has been great for the community,” Farcus Serra said.
To join, file a form with Miami Lakes Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo and attend two committee meetings.
A council member will then recommend the applicant.
Committee members must live or work in town, and some committees require a background check.
For more information go to: https://bit.ly/3pDNZm9.