The Special Olympics Mardi Gras themed 5K Fun Run has been set for February 11th 2012. It will be held from noon till 4:00 p.m. at the Osceola Municipal Golf Course.

With a fun-for-all Mardi Gras theme, our local Special Olympics program has teamed up with Pensacola Mardi Gras to present an exciting event at the majestic Osceola Golf Course! This celebration, on Saturday, February 11, will begin with a 5K Fun Run/Walk. Runner take-off will be at 12:00 noon and walkers take off at 12:15. Immediately following the Fun Run/Walk, a Finish Line Party - complete with great food, beer, music and activities - will be held. Come participate in this unique partnership with Special Olympics to celebrate all of the athletes in our community! We need runners and walkers to make this event successful!

You can participate in the Run/Walk individually, or with family and friends as a team. Give your team a Krewe name, designate team colors or costumes, and just have fun with it! The Special Olympics Mardi Gras Fun Run/Walk gives YOU an opportunity to become involved in our community and support hundreds of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. So get involved today!

The event will commence near the Osceola Club House at 300 Tonawanda Drive, Pensacola, Florida 32506. For more information, and to register your Krewe, visit www.firstgiving.com/sofl/mardigras. This site gives you the option to pay a twenty dollar individual entrance fee to participate by choosing register, or choose to fundraise to create your own fundraising page, allowing friends and family to pledge their support.

For more information, contact: Jessica Barrale, County Coordinator,  Phone: 850.291.6234.

Impact 100 Pensacola Bay Area, Inc. is entering the thick of our membership season.  We would love to see you at our upcoming membership events; please consider bringing friends who are interested in getting more information on how IMPACT 100 funds impactful non-profit projects that make Santa Rosa and Escambia counties well-rounded, effective communities.

We hope you share our interest in learning more about our community and in supporting the initiatives that will have a lasting impact in the lives of others. We are excited to share the story of IMPACT 100 and hope that you will consider joining the 645 women who, in 2011, made an impact on our community. Please choose one or more of the information events below and join us to learn how our grants have transformed our community! To learn more about Impact 100, please visit our site www.impact100pensacola.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY

IMPACT Event, Thursday, Feb. 9,  4:30 - 6:30
Hilton Garden Inn, Pensacola Airport, 1144 Airport Blvd., Pensacola
Hosted by Dave Cleveland, Highpointe Hotel Corporation

IMPACT Valentine Event, Monday,  Feb. 13, 4:30 - 6:30
Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St., Pensacola
Hosted by IMPACT 100 Board of Directors

IMPACT Event, Wednesday, Feb. 22,  4:30 - 6:30
Jacksons Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St., Pensacola

The United Way of  Escambia County is offering the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. This tax season, VITA will provide free tax preparation help for citizens in our community with low to moderate incomes.
VITA sites are available at the following locations:

Pensacola State College (Pensacola Campus)
1000 College Boulevard, Building 96
Mon/Wed/Fri: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tue/Thu: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sat: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Sylvester Catholic Church
7552 Navarre Pkwy., Navarre Mon/Fri: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wed: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

University of West Florida
11000 University Parkway, University Common Building22, Room 265
Mon/Wed/Fri: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Southeast Vocational Services
2001 North E Street Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pensacola State College, Century Campus (now open)
440 E. Hecker Rd, Century  Tue/Wed: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Families Count (opens 2/2)
5139 Elmira Street, Milton  Tue/Fri: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In 2011, VITA volunteers donated $127,500 in processing assistance that resulted in $1.85million in refunds returned to area citizens. Volunteers are still needed and are encouraged to sign up today for online training that can be conducted at their convenience. VITA volunteers receive IRS training and certification and are asked to commit a minimum of two hours per week through April 15.VITA is generously funded through grants awarded to United Way of Escambia County from Walmart, Bank of America and Wells Fargo. For questions about the VITA program, please call (850) 434-3157 or email volunteer@unitedwayescambia.org.