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March 20, 2018 (Sarasota, FL) State Rep. Jim Boyd will be honored by The Florida Center for Early Childhood at the 3rd annual “Champions for Children Breakfast” on Thursday, April 5 at 8 a.m. at the Sarasota Yacht Club. The Florida Center, a local nonprofit serving children and their families in Sarasota, Charlotte, Manatee and DeSoto/Hardee counties, pays tribute each year to a select group of individuals, corporations and organizations that are making a significant difference in the lives of young children and their families. Suncoast Charities for Children and The Suncoast Foundation, Michael Klauber and Phil Mancini of Michael’s on East, Ackerman Plumbing, The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Sonja Veal-Volino, Debra Roehl and Shon Levatte will also be recognized at the award ceremony. Rep. Boyd has been a longtime supporter of children in the local community and throughout the state. He has been a strong advocate for the community-wide Early Childhood Court initiative, as well as legislation addressing the opioid crisis in Sarasota and Manatee counties and the epidemic’s effect on children. “I cannot think of anyone more deserving to receive our 2018 Community Champions for Children award than Rep. Boyd”, said The Florida Center President and CEO, Kathryn Shea. “He has been a strong advocate not only for our agency, but for all vulnerable children in our community.” Rep. Boyd was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2010, and will be serving his fourth term as a representative for District 71, which includes western portions of Manatee and Sarasota counties. Rep. Boyd sits on the Appropriations Committee, the Rules & Policy Committee, and was recently appointed to serve as Chair for the Commerce Committee, which encompasses issues concerning all of Insurance & Banking, Agriculture & Property Rights, Careers & Competition, Energy & Utilities, and Gaming. Tickets are $35 per person or $250 for a table of eight and can be purchased at www.thefloridacenter.org or by calling 941-371-8820 x 1025. ### The Florida Center for Early Childhood is a nationally accredited, community-based agency that has been serving young children and families for almost 40 years. The agency provides early childhood education, developmental therapies, mental health therapy, child abuse prevention, and is home to the state’s only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders clinic. For more information about The Florida Center visit www.thefloridacenter.org or contact Kaitlyn Kramer at 941-371-8820 x 1025.