Volunteering
Tara believes in giving back to the community. She believes that the small commitment of time, energy, or money that you can donate will come back to you many times over.
Restoration Ministries for Women is a Christian residence for women who need to get their lives back on track. It is a nine month program where the women learn life skills while at the same time get reconnected with their spiritual life. Many women join the program immediately after being released from jail and the program helps them to straighten out their life and learn valuable skills so they can redirect their future.
For the past six years, Tara has been going to the Restoration Ministries house to teach the women in the house how to get their physical life on track. Through the other programs in the house, they learn how to get their spiritual life back, their work life back, and their relationships restored. Tara teaches them how to live their best physical life through proper nutrition and physical fitness. Her biweekly lessons teach the women how to improve their diet, lose weight, exercise properly, and recover from their addictions through healthy eating and movement.
Tara was a Girl Scout herself from 1st through 12th grade and believes in the power of scouting for children. Even though she didn’t have any children at the time, Tara became a Girl Scout leader to a troop when they were Daisy’s (Kindergarten) and now they are already in seventh grade! She helps the other coleaders plan meetings and field trips and thoroughly enjoys the hands on experiences with the girls.
Tara has served as the Silent Auction Co-Chair for the American Cancer Society’s annual gala. She spent numerous hours securing donations and organizing the logistics of the silent auction and helped the Orlando Chapter of the American Cancer Society raise over $10,000 through the silent auction.
Tara is actively involved in her church, the Orthodox Church of St. Stephen in Longwood, FL. She was the Chair of the Sisterhood for one year and now volunteers for the many activities that the Sisterhood plans. She also assists her husband, Stephen, in planning and carrying a clothing drive called Clothe the Homeless every December.
Tara served as the Chair of Awards for the Florida Dietetic Association for three years. In this position, she was in charge of soliciting nominations for distinguished and special awards for the state dietetic association. She was also the Master of Ceremonies for the annual member reception at the annual meeting.
Tara has served in numerous capacities for the Orlando Dietetic Association. She was President-Elect, followed by President of the association. She now serves as the awards chair.
