Palm Coast – During the City of Palm Coast City Council Business Meeting on
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, City Council recognized three proclamations of significance to the community.

The first proclamation, read by Council Member Cathy Heighter, recognized February 2023 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. During the presentation, Council Member Heighter spoke about the issues surrounding dating violence amongst young people in Palm Coast and beyond. She highlighted the collaborative efforts by the Flagler County Advocates Alliance, comprised of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Victim’s Advocates, Flagler Beach Police Department Victim Advocate, Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Victim Advocate, and Family Life Center, to raise awareness and support victims of domestic violence. Representatives from the Family Life Center in Bunnell followed, speaking about their outreach efforts and 24/7 availability to the community. They thanked the community for their support and further promoting awareness.

The Family Life Center has a hotline for assistance available 24-hours a day by calling or texting 386-437-3505. For more information, visit familylifecenterflagler.org.

The second proclamation was read by Council Member Nick Klufus, recognizing February 14, 2023, as National Donor Day. Council Member Klufas spoke about the importance of organ donors and encouraged the Palm Coast community to register to be donors. City of Palm Coast Procurement Coordinator Jesse Scott shared a personal story of how his life was saved when he received a double lung transplant in September 2022. Scott appealed to the citizens of Palm Coast to become a donor as it could save someone else’s life one day, and there is no greater gift.

To learn more about organ, eye, and tissue donation and how to become a donor, visit organdonor.gov.

The third proclamation was read by Council Member Theresa Carli Pontieri, recognizing February 28, 2023, as Rare Disease Day. Council Member Carli Pontieri shared that an estimated 200,000 Americans suffer each year from a rare disease and hopes that recognition from a nation-wide campaign such as this will prompt further Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatments. Mike West, a Palm Coast resident living with a rare disease, joined her at the podium and spoke on the importance of community involvement in addressing the treatment of these conditions. He shared his hope that future generations would have more resources available to them as studies and research on rare disease advances.

To learn more about Rare Disease Day and how to help raise awareness, visit rarediseaseday.org.

Watch the entire Council Meeting here: City Council Business Meeting – Feb 21, 2023

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review.