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Cubmaster Fabian Perez-Crespo of Pack 425, the Miami Springs Boy Scouts of America pack, was recognized as a Wood Badge leader at the group’s final meeting before summer break, earlier this month. For his Wood Badge project, Perez-Crespo, a Miami Springs resident for the last 10 years, chose to document and archive the history of the Cub Scout programs in Miami Springs, Virginia Gardens, and Medley. Perez-Crespo spoke about the historical importance that his project would have and how he hoped it would create a sense of continuity for the Boy Scouts program. “First of all, living here in the Springs and living in VG, we’re surrounded by history,” he shared with River Cities Gazette. “A lot of what we do is to acknowledge and appreciate and honor the history of the community.” The cubmaster got emotional as he talked about the personal impact this project would have and how he hoped future generations would take away something great from it. “So, my wish is that when I move on and my son moves on to the troop, and maybe the day he has kids, that he could look back and say, ‘I did this with my dad or my mom’ and he can share that with his kids. It’s about honoring the past and preparing for the future.” At the Wood Badge ceremony, Darryl Hickey, from Belen Troop 43, presented Perez-Crespo with the symbolic salmon-colored neckerchief, woggle, and wooden beads that are worn around a Wood Badge leader’s neck. As Assistant Scoutmaster of the Wood Badge course, Hickey knows the ins and outs of the program – from diversity and bonding to first-time camping in the Everglades. “Seeing the culmination of all these different people, adults-male and female-Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Scoutmasters, and committee members coming together and all for a common good and a bond. And going out camping together. A lot of them have never camped before, so seeing that was really interesting,” Hickey said about the Wood Badge experience. The Wood Badge training program is a two-weekend long premier leadership program that Perez-Crespo compared to an MBA leadership program for a fraction of the cost. “It’s about camaraderie, its about spirit. It gave me a macro-vision of what the Boy Scouts of America is and what’s at stake for the young men, and now young women, of our country. Any activity that we do, it’s all about the kids. And Wood Badge gave me that bigger perspective of why I’m doing this,” said Perez-Crespo. This story was published in the River Cities Gazette June 28, 2018 and reposted on ScoutWire

Supporting community theater goes far beyond buying a ticket. It’s a commitment to nurturing a space where stories can be told, where neighbors become friends, and where young emerging artists find their footing. There’s a kind of beauty in knowing that simply showing up fuels a cycle of creativity that uplifts everyone involved. Whether it’s a drama that makes you tear up or a comedy that has you laughing, these performances remind us of our shared human experiences. Then, there’s the ripple effect on the community. A vibrant local theater scene doesn’t just fill seats—it breathes new life into neighborhoods. Pelican Playhouse Artistic Director Sam Chesser has had an amazing first year mentoring people of all ages through many shows and performances, from the Young Pelican Holiday Show to cheerleader zombies and everything in between. So this Friday, February 7th at 7:30pm, join me at the Pelican Playhouse-- Rebeca Sosa Theater at the Miami Springs Community Center, 1401 Westward Drive. Remember that supporting local theater is about investing in your community—the people, the stories, and the passion that make your neighborhood unique. It’s about celebrating art in its most human form, where every performance is a testament to the beauty of living, breathing creativity. And that, to me, is something worth applauding. Get your tickets now at pelicanplayhouse.org Blog Update: My eldest and I had a wonderful time at the Pelican Playhouse and enjoyed the collection of short plays immensely. Our small town has big talent! Some pictures below:

This weekend has been absolutely wonderful— over 70 #fabian4council  signs have been placed in yards across our city! I am truly humbled and grateful for the outpouring of love and support from our incredible community. Every sign, every donation, every bit of help—no matter how small—makes a difference so thank you! And don’t forget, our elections are April 1, 2025, a day that also marks my 25th wedding anniversary. If you want to get involved, or want a yard sign, go to the main page and click VOLUNTEER WITH US, there is a drop down with the option to select 'I Want A Yard Sign' Thank you for your support!!!!

Last night’s camp out was one for the books! A huge thank you to the City's Parks & Recreation Department for hosting such a memorable community event. Especially grateful to the Miami Springs Police Department—the kids absolutely loved the puzzles and flashlights! And a big shoutout to our Miami Springs Cub Scouts, Pack 425, along with BSA Troop 334, for an awesome fire safety demonstration and for getting those marshmallows perfectly prepped for s’mores.

Tammi Carr, Co-Founder - ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, Milly Perez-Crespo, President - GFWC Miami Springs Woman's Club, and Oscar Ortiz, Founder - SebastianStrong Foundation On Monday, January 6, 2025, the GFWC Miami Springs Woman's Club gathered for their first membership meeting of the year to celebrate a heartfelt and victorious moment: the presentation of a $6,000 donation to two organizations dedicated to fighting childhood cancer, ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation , and SebastianStrong Foundation . These funds were generated during the Club's 2024 Jail & Bail for Charity , an annual event that cleverly "arrests" community members for doing good and challenges them to raise "bail" money to secure their release. The proceeds not only support the Club's many initiatives but also specifically channel hope and resources into the battle against pediatric cancer. From its inception, the Jail & Bail fundraising event was designed to uplift Miami Springs by highlighting the positive deeds of everyday heroes—teachers, neighbors, small business owners, and civic leaders—who then rally their personal networks to donate. This year, their combined efforts brought in a little over $11,000, an impressive sum that the Club earmarked in part to help conquer one of the most pressing and sadly underfunded issues facing children today. Childhood cancer is often overlooked in research and funding despite being one of the leading causes of death by disease in children. Historically, less than 5% of the National Cancer Institute's annual budget is allocated to pediatric cancer research, leaving many families feeling unsupported and isolated as they search for effective treatments. Pharmaceutical companies, too, may view childhood cancer drugs as less profitable due to smaller patient populations, creating further gaps in the search for cures . When most people think of pediatric cancer treatment, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis often comes to mind. St. Jude has undoubtedly paved the way for groundbreaking research and is renowned for its policy of not billing families for treatment, travel, or lodging. However, despite its tremendous contributions: It is not the "Amazon" of childhood cancer : St. Jude's innovative research and philanthropic model have saved countless lives, but even they cannot handle every single pediatric cancer case. They focus on certain types of childhood cancers and enroll only those children whose treatment protocols match their areas of expertise or current clinical trials. A limited number of inpatient beds : St. Jude has fewer than 80 licensed inpatient beds. Though they treat thousands of children each year in various clinical trials, there is a finite capacity for patients within the hospital. This structural reality means many families must seek care at other specialized hospitals or local medical centers. Ongoing need for fundraising : St. Jude depends heavily on donations to continue providing free treatment as a research institution. While their fundraising success is remarkable, a significant portion of pediatric cancer types still require additional research and broader access to advanced treatments. These truths underline why other organizations —like The ChadTough Defeat DIPG and SebastianStrong Foundations—are so essential. No single hospital or nonprofit, however well-known, can address every aspect of the vast and varied world of pediatric oncology. This urgent need compelled the Miami Springs Woman's Club to choose two extraordinary recipients, each with a deeply personal connection to the cause and our community. The ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation  was born from the story of Chad Carr , who was only five years old when he lost his fight against Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). His mother, Tammi Carr, and family  transformed their unimaginable grief into a mission to create awareness and "to help patients and families by funding game-changing research and providing navigation throughout their journey." In Chad's memory, Tammi works tirelessly to support projects that seek to improve treatment options, ultimately driving the scientific community closer to cure. Oscar Ortiz with his son Sebastian. Equally moving is the legacy behind the  SebastianStrong Foundation , founded by Oscar Ortiz  in honor of his son, Sebastian Nicolas Ortiz . Diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, Sebastian approached his illness with immense courage until his passing in 2016 at age 16 after a 14-month battle. In the wake of his family's profound loss, Oscar launched SebastianStrong to champion novel research and more tolerable, "less toxic, more targeted treatment options for kids who will face this disease." By securing funding and uniting communities, SebastianStrong raises visibility for pediatric cancer as a whole while simultaneously honoring its namesake's memory and fighting spirit because "Kids deserve better." Sebastian and Chad deserved better. Both The ChadTough and SebastianStrong Foundations serve as beacons of hope for families who are grappling with the reality of childhood cancer. They leverage partnerships with leading research institutions, fund clinical trials, and contribute to medical breakthroughs that have the potential to save lives. The additional support they provide is invaluable in a field that often lags behind adult cancer research—due largely to the lack of incentives for major pharmaceutical companies. I had a lot of fun taping & editing all the videos for Jail & Bail. You can find them all on the Miami Springs Woman's Club YouTube page. Uniting for a cause that touches so many lives feels good, and it reinforces the truth that every contribution, no matter how small, can make a profound difference. Whether it's a volunteer collecting donations or a local business pledging a corporate gift, each act of kindness and generosity moves the needle forward in the race to find more effective, less toxic treatments for the youngest and most vulnerable among us. As the Miami Springs Woman's Club presented checks to Tammi and Oscar, gratitude and a strong sense of purpose filled the room. Their shared mission—honoring Chad and Sebastian and carrying on their legacies—truly symbolizes the best in humanity. This donation stands as a testament to what a community can accomplish when driven by a single, compassionate vision: a future in which no child's life is cut short by cancer. For those interested in continuing the momentum, direct donations to The ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation  and SebastianStrong Foundation  are welcome, as is volunteer work, social media advocacy, and sharing these powerful stories. No matter how small, every effort can empower these organizations to keep forging new paths in pediatric cancer research. With dedication and unity, we can offer hope for a future free from the heartbreak of childhood cancer—ensuring that Chad, Sebastian, and countless others did not fight in vain.