A Touch Above on BayNews9.com

On Veteran's Day, 2010, A Touch Above was featured throughout the day on Bay News 9.  You can read the article on the BayNews9.com website.

Recent Dove Releases in Our Community

• Released 50 doves at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Polk County on January 14, 2012. 
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Tampa Bay 2nd Annual "Out of the Darkness" Community Walk on November 12, 2011.
• Took part in the National Pigeon Associations Annual Conference in Lakeland in January 2011.
• Polk County Sesquicentennial (Polk County's 150th anniversary).  We're proud to be listed as one of Polk's Buddies on their website.
• Funeral for Polk County Sheriff's
  Sgt. Wesley Whitmore Jr.
• Warrior Walk 2010
• 2010 MS Walk in Lakeland. Florida
• Funeral for SSG John Reiners
• American Widow Project
• Funeral for Lakeland Police Department Officer Charlie Dallas
• Funeral for Polk County Sheriff Sgt. Ronnie Brown
• 2009 Annual City of Lakeland Veterans Memorial
• Annual Veterans Day Memorial Service at Carillon Lakes

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

In January, 2012, A Touch Above Doves released 50 doves at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Joker Marchant Stadium in Polk County. In the photo shown here, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Survivor Ambassador and Tampa WFTS-Ch. 28 anchor/health reporter Linda Hurtado, left, releases a dove as Polk County Race Chair Cauney Bamberg, right, waits to release her dove at the conclusion of the Komen Florida Suncoast Polk Race for the Cure at Joker Marchant Stadium. Hurtado had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year.  

From a letter to the editor in the Ledger, "Watching the survivors ceremony was a moving experience. As the doves were released to the song "Wind Beneath My Wings," it became quiet as I'm sure others, like me, watched them gently fly in unison and circle above. My thoughts were, do they represent those who had lost the battle and are at peace, or are they representing the survivors soaring to a new freedom. Hopefully, it was both."  Karen Scites, Lakeland FL.

Warrior Walk

The Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of Polk County in conjunction with the Polk County Veteran's Council would like to invite you to a patriotic Themed "Warrior Walk" around beautiful Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, Florida.

The purpose of this event is to honor our U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have been killed in action while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Learn more about the Warrior Walk.

Salute to a Hero

In February, 2010, A Touch Above released doves at a funeral for SSG John Reiners.  Reiners, a staff sergeant with the Army Airborne Rangers died while on active duty in Afghanistan. 

Pink in the Park

A Touch Above participated in the inaugural "Pink in the Park" cancer awareness fundraising event organized by the Lakeland Flyization homarng Tigers and the Mary Kay Foundation on May 1, 2010.  Held at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. 

American Widow Project

Members of the American Widow Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to this generation's military widows, gathered together on January 29th, 2010 in Orlando, FL. The organization hosts events throughout the country to unite military widows to celebrate their survival, honor their loved ones sacrifice, and provide a healing environment with others who share this journey.

The American Widow Project would like to especially thank Frank Fanni from "A Touch Above", Kevin Tackett and Brian Loudon of Quiznos Orange Lake, and Gina from Sam's Club store #4782 in Orlando, FL for their generous donations in supporting this event. 

Learn more about the American Widow Project

• Founder Taryn Davis on ABC's Great Americans
• American Widow Project on YouTube including the video from the 2010 Orlando event.  (Images of the dove release are shown near the end of the video.)
  
  

Lakeland Police Department

I want to thank you both for the special touch that you added to the service of Officer Charlie Dallas. The white doves released at the graveside were very touching. Your support during this time was truly a blessing to this Department and to the family.

Sincerely,                                                
Roger Boatner, Chief of Police                   

Polk County Sheriff's Department Softball Tournament

Softball tournament to benefit Pediatric Cancer Foundation

A special thanks to Frank Fanni from A Touch Above who released 40 white doves during a pre-tournament prayer as a way of continuing hope to one day find a cure.

Deputy Friar, Polk County Sheriff's Office

Make Strides Against Breast Cancer

In October, Frank Fanni donated his services to the American Cancer Society's Make Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk around Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland.

September 11 Service

On September 11, 2009, Frank Fanni of  A Touch Above organized a dove release at Scott Lake Elementary School in Lakeland, Florida.  The release was part of a campaign called White Wings Over America by the National White Dove Release Society that involved over 4300 cities and towns across the US and Canada.

Fifty doves flew off as local fire, police, city representatives, students and teachers released them. The students and staff sang America the Beautiful to honor the lives of those lost in the terrorist attacks in 2001.

Dove Releases For our Heroes

• Military Release.  This armed services memorial is very special to us - A free service is offered by A Touch Above for active military and armed service personnel.  There are 21 birds released after the playing of taps and a moment of silence.  Contact A Touch Above for further information.
  
• Local Heroes Release.  This release is very similar to our Military Release, but conceived especially in memorial for fallen heroes such as our local active law enforcement and fire fighting personnel. Contact A Touch Above for further information.

See more information on dove releases for funerals and memorials.

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