Recent Dove Releases in Our Community

• 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

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 Flying 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 and Mary Jean 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 and Mary Jean 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, Mary Jean and 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. After a presentation by Mary Jean Fanni, 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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