Martin County Shared Services Network Kicks Off the Be the Influence Campaign at Veteran's Day Parade, Memorial Park Dedication Ceremony

The Martin County Shared Services Network introduced the organization's Be the Influence campaign to the local community during this year's Veteran's Day Parade in downtown Stuart.

Be the Influence was created by this coalition of local organizations to share the important idea that every member of the community can have a positive impact on youth. The new campaign centers on www.BeTheInfluence.info, a web site linking all Martin County youth services and prevention programs in one location.

Fifty members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin Countyproudly marched in the parade, wearing shirts and carrying signs promoting this new resource for the residents of Martin County.

Following the parade, Sheriff Robert Crowder, Chair of the Shared Service Network Executive Round Table, was also invited to participate in the ceremony rededicating the Veteran's Monument in Memorial Park. The dedication ceremony was sponsored by the Veterans Council of Martin County.

During his remarks, Sheriff Crowder explained that the intent of Be the Influence campaign is "to raise community awareness that we are all potential influences on the youth around us."

"Our nation's veterans are the ultimate role models for the youth of our country," added Sherriff Crowder. "They are influential in sending our youth a very important message, that of doing the utmost to make a difference in the lives of others."

Sheriff Crowder than presented awards to the winners of a recent Be the Influence Essay Contest. The essays focused on a local role model that made a difference in the life of the student. Taylor Phillips of Hidden Oaks Middle School, and Jade White of Clark Advanced Learning Center were each invited to read their winning essays to the crowd at Memorial Park. Each on the winning students were then awarded a Medal and Certificate, as well as a gift card to a local retailer.