Português
Dr. Caesar DePaço, Ad Honorem consul of Portugal for Florida and a supporter of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, presented FCSO employee, Deputy Stephen Watkins, with a personal $5,000 check today at the Communications Center where Stephen works as a communications specialist.
Dr. Caesar DePaço, center right, presents a donation to Deputy Stephen Watkins, communications specialist for the FCSO, as Sheriff Rick Staly, left, listens, with Stephen’s service dog/pet Mya at his side.
Stephen is a six-year veteran employee at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. However, he suffered a life-threatening infection last fall that required several surgeries and continuing rehabilitation. He has been left paralyzed and is in need of renovating parts of his home to accommodate the wheelchair he uses. He has returned to work in Communications where dispatchers answer 911 calls. Stephen previously served as a detention deputy.
Stephen thanks Dr. DePaço and said, “I’m very blessed.”
Sheriff Rick Staly, Stephen’s colleagues at the Sheriff’s Office, and Emey Miranda, kitchen project specialist at Lowe’s of Palm Coast, have been instrumental in helping design and raise money for the home renovation. Stephen’s bathroom vanity needs to be changed and accomodations in his kitchen need to be made.
But first the money had to be raised.
With today’s donation from Dr. DePaço, two recent fundraisers and a $1,000 donation from the Florida Deputy Sheriff’s Association’s Lend a Hand program, almost $11,500 has been raised to help remodel the home for Stephen. And $7,642 in products have been donated for the project, for a total of $19,093.84. Organizers say the project is nearly ready to begin. The cost to outfit Stephen’s home is about $18,000. Any money left over will go to assist with Stephen’s medical bills.
Dr. DePaço and Sheriff Staly surprised Stephen at work today to present him with the $5,000 check. Dr. DePaço said he had heard the kitchen project was “a little short” of cash so he wanted to help fill the gap in presenting a donation to Stephen. “Thank you very much,” Stephen said. “I’m so blessed.”
Shown are from left: Maria Joao Avila from the Florida Consulate of Portugal; Sheriff Rick Staly, Caesar DePaço, Ad Honorem Portuguese consul in Palm Coast; Mikki Madden and Stephanie Cuzzone both of Lowe’s;.Detective Joe Barile; Cpl. Jon Dopp and Deputy Stephen Watkins.
Stephen “is part of our team,” Sheriff Staly said. “He has caught on quickly to work in the Communications Center. We’re grateful for this kind donation to help outfit Stephen’s home for what he needs.”
Photography and Text Courtesy of Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
