By Greg Robin

Staff writer

WABASSO -Verna Wright can vividly remember when she was concerned about the electric bill being paid for her once tiny after-school center in Wabasso, which at the time had two students.

In less than five years, the very same center received praise from Gov. Jeb Bush, by being awarded July 11 The Governor's point of Light Award.

"There were times in the beginning when I told my husband to wait on mailing the bills," said Verna Wright, owner and director of the Dasie Hope Center, named after Ms. Wright's late mother.

Times have changed for her center, and it now serves 78 students, ages 5-18 during the school year, and 102 for its summer program.

"We've been embraced by the community," Ms. Wright said.

The first year the school opened, it was funded through Ms. Wright. When the second year came, she didn't have the money to run the school and asked the United Way for an emergency grant.

Over time the center filled the void of an after-school tutoring and recreation center, and expanded its programs. That caused it to grow in size and popularity, Ms. Wright said.

"These are the first services of its kind to be offered to the community," Ms. Wright said.

In recognition of its high level of service to the community, it earned the highly respected award.

The Florida Volunteer Foundation administers the award and the governor of Florida selects the winners for their outstanding work they do for underprivileged members of the community, said Alicia Joyner, director of the Volunteer Florida Foundation.

The Florida Volunteer Foundation is a non- profit organization that manages several social service programs, such as the Points of Light Award, by Gov. Bush, said Vonda Anderson, senior vice president of development and communications for the foundation. They have also given grants to organizations that further volunteerism, such as the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund.

"Our goal is to strengthen Florida through Volunteerism and community service," Ms. Anderson said.

Candidates are nominated by a community member and sent to a group of five judges who select about 15 nominations from 40-50 applications every three or four months, Ms. Joyner said. The 15 nominations are sent to the governor, who selects one winner each week of the year.

On Oct. 17, Ms. Wright along with all of this year's winners, are invited to the Points of Light Awards reception at the governor's mansion, where Gov. Bush will personally congratulate them.

"These are the unsung heroes in Florida," Ms. Joyner said. "The award is a thank you to all of those people who help and don't expect a thank you."

The center opened Sept. 5, 2001, and offers both recreation and academic programs including a baking club, a business preparation program partnered with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and golf instruction.

One big accomplishment was having all seven of its third graders pass the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in March.

"Having the will to help youth is tremendous," said Ms. Teneshia Wilson, a board member and returning teacher at the center. "You have to love kids to do something like this. Your heart has to be in it."

Ms. Wright said she credits Mr. Warren Schwerin, a friend of her mother, for encouraging her to keep the center open when times were tough.

"He told me 'If your heart is in it do it,'" she said. "To this day I haven't looked back."

The center is funded mainly through the United Way and the county, but also receives private donations.

To make a donation or get additional information about the center, contact Ms. Wright at (772) 567-0228.