THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP LABOR DAY WEEKEND IS A TIME FOR CELEBRATION IN THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE.

BUT ALL OF THE OUTDOOR ACTION COMES WITH THE RISK OF OVEREXPOSURE TO EXTREME HEAT.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, DOZENS OF RESTAURANTS FROM ACROSS THE AREA ARE OFFERING MAJOR DISCOUNTS AS PART OF AN ANNUAL FOOD CELEBRATION.

PROVIDING SAFE PASSAGE FOR BOTH EXPECTING MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA NONPROFIT THAT IS OFFERING ECO-FRIENDLY RIDES TO MOTHERS IN THE.

HELLO.

I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LABOR DAY IS KNOWN AS THE FINALS CELEBRATION OF SUMMER AND MANY GATHERINGS OVER THE WEEKEND WILL INCLUDE BACKYARD BARBECUES OR TRIPS TO THE BEACH.

BUT FESTIVITIES IN FLORIDA COME WITH A RISK OF OVEREXPOSURE TO THE EXTREME HEAT.

A RECENT STUDY FROM THE FLORIDA POLICY INSTITUTE SHOWS THAT ONE IN 4 FLORIDIANS ARE HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO EXTREME HEAT AND MORE THAN 5800 FLORIDIANS VISIT EMERGENCY ROOMS FOR AILMENTS LIKE HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE EVERY YEAR.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS SOUTH FLORIDA REGION.

>> JOHN BUCHANAN JOINS US IN STUDIO TODAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> JOHN, CAN YOU TELL US AS HEAD OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH THIS EXTREME HEAT AND ALL THESE HEAT ADVISORIES THAT WE ARE UNDER WAY.

>> THE GREAT QUESTION ALL USUALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR, IT'S HURRICANE WE'RE ALWAYS CONSCIOUS OF THAT.

BUT THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR, EVEN WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE OVERALL AVERAGE TEMPS WHICH UP POSES A LOT OF ISSUES FOR HEAT ILLNESS OR EXTREME HEAT STROKE.

>> CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THE DIFFERENCES ARE JUST GENERALLY BETWEEN THE 2?

>> HEAT ILLNESS CAN MANIFEST A LOT OF WAYS.

AND SO USUALLY IT SIGNALED BY CLAIM THE SKIN COLD, CLAMMY SKIN, EXCESSIVE HEAT IN A SWEATING, EWELLS CRAMP UP, YOU KNOW, HAVE THOSE CRAMPS THAT WILL LAST A WHILE.

THE SIGNIFICANT FATIGUE AND THEN HEAT STROKE IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE SEVERE WHERE IT'S DEBILITATING.

YOU REALLY YOU'LL KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE THAT HEAT.

STROKE VERSUS THE HEAT ILLNESS AND ITS IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IS NECESSARY.

ARE THERE SOME KEY WARNING SIGNS THAT WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF?

YEAH, DIZZINESS IS IS ONE.

I THINK THAT COMES FIRST AND PEOPLE FEEL A LITTLE BIT LIGHT-HEADED OR DIZZY AND THEN A COURSE THAT PROFUSE OF SWEATING, THAT SWEATING THAT DOESN'T STOP LIKE TYPICALLY EVEN ONCE HERE, COOL YOURSELF DOWN.

IT'S STILL CONTINUING ON.

AND SO THEN IT DOES SIGNAL AND A FEW OTHER AREAS, TOO.

SO LIKE WHEN YOU START HAVING THE CAR CRAMPS THAT THAT COME ON THOSE CRAMPS USUALLY ARE ANOTHER SIGN THAT HEAT ILLNESSES THAT PLAY IN YOUR LIFE.

>> AND WHAT POPULATIONS ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE.

>> HE WILL NUSS.

YES, OH, WELL, WE OF COURSE, HAVE THE OUTDOOR WORKERS AND THE ATHLETES RIGHT NOW.

ITS PEAK FOOTBALL SEASON AND A NUMBER OF OTHER OUTDOOR SPORTS ARE TAKING PLACE.

WE HAVE A ROBUST WORKFORCE THAT IS ACTIVELY WORKING OUTDOORS IN THOSE ARE THE MOST AT RISK IN OUR AREA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

BUT THEN ALSO WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE CONCERNED WITH THEIR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AND THEIR FITNESS HALL EXTEND THEIR OUT THERE EXERCISING, WALKING AND RUNNING AND DOING THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND THAT'S GREAT FOR THEM TO DO.

HOWEVER, IT DOES POSE A RISK TO THEIR HEALTH BECAUSE THE HEAT IS SO HIGH IN THE HUMIDITY LEVELS HIGH.

AND I LOVE THAT THAT YOU TOUCHED ON SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY IS TO CHECK.

>> ON RESIDENTS THAT WE MIGHT NOT NORMALLY GO UP AND KNOCK ON THEIR DOOR.

MAYBE OLDER RESIDENTS OR SOMEONE THAT MIGHT BE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE.

WHY IS THAT?

>> YEAH, WE SAY EMPHASIZE 3 THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO EXTREME HEAT AWARENESS IS STAY HYDRATED.

STAY COOL.

STAY CONNECTED IN THE CONNECTED PART IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE OFTENTIMES WE CAN JUST GO THROUGH OUR LIFE AS WE TYPICALLY DO AND THINK EVERYTHING'S FINE.

BUT HEAT ILLNESS CAN SNEAK UP ON YOU SO QUICKLY.

YOU DON'T TYPICALLY SEE THE SIGNS UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE.

AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT ESPECIALLY THE OLDER, MORE VULNERABLE POPULATION STAY CONNECTED WITH THEIR FAMILY OR LOVED ONES, THEIR FRIENDS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SAFE AT ALL TIMES DURING THE SEASON TO THE EXTREME HEAT.

>> NOW, IS THERE A PARTICULAR TIME OF DAY THAT YOU'RE REALLY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO STAY >> INSIDE THE DURING THE PEAK OF THE HEAT FOR SURE.

SO THAT USUALLY IS THAT EARLY AFTERNOON AND EVEN LATE INTO THE AFTERNOON, IT CAN STILL STAY PRETTY HIGH TEMP.

SO WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO STAY COOL.

STAY IN SHADE AND EVEN SIMPLE THINGS TO SOME.

SOMETIMES FOLKS WHO RUN INTO A SITUATION WHERE THEY DON'T SEE WHERE THE MAYBE AIR CONDITIONING GOES OUT.

THEY HAVE A POWER OUTAGE OR JUST WHEREVER THEY'RE AT THIS AND HAVE A C WELL, IN THOSE TIMES, IT MAY BE BETTER FOR SOMEBODY TO BE OUTDOORS RATHER THAN AN NON AIR-CONDITIONED INDOOR SPACE AND BE IN SHADE.

BUT IT'S JUST BEING MINDFUL OF THOSE THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE AND DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION WHERE YOU'RE OVER OVERCOME BY THAT EXTREME HEAT AND THEN WHAT KINDS OF RESOURCES DOES THE AMERICAN RED CROSS PROVIDE FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS?

ABSOLUTELY.

EDUCATION IS A BIG PART.

OF COURSE, WE'RE TRYING TO EDUCATE.

THEN WHAT WE DO.

WE REALLY WORK WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS.

OUR PARTNERS FOCUS REALLY HAS 3 AREAS.

HEALTH, HUNGER AND HOUSING AND THROUGH OUR WIDE ARRAY OF PARTNERSHIPS, WE ARE A RESOURCE TO THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED OF WHATEVER SERVICE, NOT JUST SOMETHING AS A RESULT OF HEAT ILLNESS, BUT WILL CONNECT THEM WITH THE APPROPRIATE PARTNERS THROUGH 2, 1, 1, IS UNITED WAY'S HOTLINE.

WE HAVE RESOURCES THAT WE PROVIDE OCCASIONALLY WILL OPEN UP.

COOLING STATIONS WILL WORK WITH THE LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WHO MAY HAVE COOLING STATIONS THAT THEY OPEN UP IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO TO IN CASE THEY ARE IN THE SITUATION AT HOME WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE AIR CONDITIONING OR THEY'RE SUFFERING FROM EXTREME HEAT OR IN THE CASE OF HOMELESSNESS, EVEN.

ALL RIGHT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US IN STUDIO.

GREAT TIPS PUSHING THAT MUCH ON LETTERMAN AS A KID.

>> FOR MORE STORIES ON HOW TO STAY HEALTHY IN THE HEAT ARE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL HEALTH.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP, YOUR LABOR DAY PLANS MAY INCLUDE EXTENDED PLAY FOR YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS.

SOME TIPS AND ADVICE ON THE PRODUCTS THAT WILL KEEP YOUR PETS COOL OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

THE COST OF OWNING A DOG CAN MAKE A DENT IN YOUR FINANCES.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB BETWEEN VET CARE, FOOD AND TRAINING.

THE AVERAGE COST OF OWNING A DOG IS ABOUT $2500 A YEAR.

THE PET BUSINESS INDUSTRY HAS BEEN BOOMING IN RECENT YEARS WITH IT, PRODUCTS PROMOTING EVERYTHING FROM STRENGTH TRAINING, 2 UPSCALE DOG WATER BOWLS WGCUS KATE CRONIN HAS MORE ON WHAT PRODUCTS MAY BE WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY FOR YOUR FURRY FAMILY MEMBER.

>> FOR MORE ON SOME OF THE LATEST WELLNESS TRENDS FOR PETS, I'M JOINED BY DR.

KELLY FISHMAN, FOUNDER OF STRETCH ANIMAL MOBILITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

DOCTOR FISHMAN.

>> I KATE, I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT DOG WELLNESS AND FITNESS.

>> SO FOR THE PEOPLE IN FLORIDA KEEPING YOUR DOG COOL.

THIS SUMMER IS VITAL FROM PET SHOES TO COOLING GEAR.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU THINK EVERY PET OWNER SHOULD HAVE WON?

IT COMES TO BEATING THE SUMMER HEAT.

>> EVERYBODY KNOWS THE OBVIOUS WHICH IS TO TAKE YOUR DOG OUT DURING THE COOLER PARTS OF THE DAY SPECIALLY MORNING AND EVENING.

STAYING OFF THE HOT PAVEMENT IS A GOOD IDEA.

WALKING ON GRASS OR, YOU KNOW, SAN JUST BECAUSE THE HOT ASPHALT CAN GET REALLY TOO HOT FOR THEIR PAWS.

SOME THINGS PARENTS DO KNOW IS THAT THE HUMID DAYS?

SO THERE'S HIGH HUMIDITY.

YOUR DOG IS ACTUALLY THE HIGHER RISK FOR HEAT STROKE.

BUT IF IT'S LESS HUMID, SO BE ESPECIALLY WARY ON THOSE DAYS.

THAT'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE SOME OF THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THAT HUMIDITY AFFECTS THEIR ABILITY TO PANTS AND REDUCE THEIR BODY HEAT MORE SO THEN THE ACTUAL TEMPERATURE FAHRENHEIT.

>> AND THEN WE'VE ALSO SEEN A GROWTH IN FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR DOGS FROM SPECIFIC TREADMILLS FOR DOGS TO WEIGH CHEW TOYS.

DO YOU THINK THESE PRODUCTS ARE OVERKILL OR ARE THEY WORTHY INVESTMENT?

>> SO THIS IS MY AREA VETERINARY MEDICINE.

SO I LOVE DOGS.

FITNESS EQUIPMENT, DOG TREADMILLS.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA BECAUSE AS YOU'RE SAYING THIS VERY HOT IN FLORIDA, YOU CAN'T AVOID THE HUMIDITY, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO IS YOU CAN WORK OUT WITH YOUR DOG INSIDE.

THEY CAN GO ON A DOG TREADMILL.

WITCH IS NOT A HUMAN ONE.

THERE BIT DIFFERENT.

THEY CAN GO TO A DOG TREADMILL AND KEEP UP THEIR EXERCISE DURING THE WAR WERE TIMES OF THE YEAR, YOU KNOW, TO SACRIFICE THEIR STRENGTH.

THEY DON'T GET OVERWEIGHT BECAUSE THEY'RE EXERCISING SUCH JUST A GOOD IDEA FOR MOST STOCKS AND IT HELPS BEHAVIOR ISSUES, TOO, BECAUSE A LOT OF THE TIMES OR PENT UP INSIDE ON HER COUCH IN A SCENE THAT IF YOU'RE JUST GETTING BORED.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN ALONG WITH ALL THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY COMES THE NEED FOR WATER.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DOGGIE WATER FOUNTAINS, THEY CLAIM TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF DISEASE.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S NECESSARY FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH JUST ONE DOG OR IS IT FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH MORE THAN ONE?

SO I IT.

>> PERSONALLY, I THINK THAT THEY ARE WONDERFUL AT PET PARENTS WANT TO ENCOURAGE THEIR DOG OR CAT STREET MORE.

BUT YOU DO NOT NEED ONE.

THEY CAN BE A BIT PRICEY.

THEY MAY BE DIFFICULT TO CLEAN AND ATTRACT MAULED.

SO WE GET A LITTLE BIT WARY ABOUT IT FOR THAT REASON.

SO, YEAH, I LIKE AS YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, MULTI DOG HOUSEHOLDS AND MAYBE A GREAT IDEA.

YOU KNOW, OTHER TIMES IT FOR THE REASONS.

I DON'T THINK THAT THEY'RE SO GREAT OF AN IDEA.

YOU CAN CERTAINLY JUST HAVE A REGULAR DOG WATER BOWL.

KEEP IT CLEAN.

ED WATERS HERE.

DOGS WHAT FOOD TO KEEP THEM OR HYDRATION SUMMER.

FEW THINGS LIKE FROZEN BLUEBERRIES, FROZEN CUCUMBERS.

THINGS LIKE THAT TO KEEP THEM HYDRATED IN MORE FREE AND CREATIVE WAYS THAT THEY MAY LIKE BETTER.

THE FOUNTAIN.

>> AND DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE MORE COST CONSCIOUS?

PET PARENTS WHO WANT TO SUPPORT THEIR PET'S HEALTH, BUT ARE ALSO LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR BUDGET.

SO ACTUALLY, I BELIEVE I KNOW THAT KEEPING THAT DOG LEAN.

SO NOT, YOU KNOW, SKELTON, BUT LEAN ACTUALLY AS DAYS TO THEIR LIVES.

SO WE KNOW THAT SKINNY DOGS LIVE LONGER.

THEY HAVE A LESS HEALTH PROBLEMS.

THEY ALSO HAVE LESS MOBILITY ISSUES AS THEY AGE BECAUSE THEY HAVE LESS WEAR AND TEAR THEIR CHOICE OVER TIME.

AND THEN THE PARENTS ALSO SAFE MONEY BECAUSE IF YOU'RE NOT OVER FEEDING, YOU'RE NOT SPENDING MONEY ON PRICEY DOG FITS.

SO I BELIEVE THE BEST THING TO DO IS JUST KEEPING YOUR DOG TRAM AND IF PARENTS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, THEY COULD TALK TO THE VETERINARIAN ABOUT STARTING A DIET.

BUT IT TRULY IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR DOG'S HEALTH.

AMAZING.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> HERE'S SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THE COST OF A FUR-BABY FROM THE WGCU NEWSROOM WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING A PET SIZE MATTERS.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB AND COST MORE TO CARE FOR GIANT DOGS LIKE A GREAT DANE WHICH CAN RUN AS HIGH AS $3300 A YEAR.

NOW, SMALL DOGS LIKE A CHIHUAHUA.

THOSE AVERAGE ABOUT $1800 IN COSTS FOR FOOD AND VETERINARY BILLS.

WE ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT FDOT PLANS TO WIDEN INTERSTATE 75 FROM GOLDEN GATE PARKWAY IN COLLIER COUNTY HEADING NORTH TO ALICO ROAD IN LEE COUNTY.

WGCUS KATE CRONIN LOOKS AT THE PLAN AND WHY RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT NOISE.

WELL, IT WAS A PACKED HOUSE AT THE ESTERO RECREATION CENTER.

>> AS THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UPCOMING WIDENING PROJECT OF I-75 REALLY WANT TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON THIS ROAD.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> AND HOW IT'S GOING TO HANDLE HOW IT'S GOING TO HANDLE THE TRAFFIC WASN'T GOING TO DO THAT.

THE TRAFFIC FLOW.

WHAT WE HEAR THE INCREASE IN THE SOUND, WHETHER THIS CAN BE ANY NOT ONLY NOISE POLLUTION BUT POLLUTION BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC JAMS HOLE THAT WAS GOING IMPACT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT'S NO SMALL UNDERTAKING IN THE SOUTH.

IT BEGINS AT THE GOLDEN GATE.

>> PARKWAY EXIT.

>> AND RUNS NORTH TO ALI CO-WROTE.

AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS TO FINISH CONSTRUCTION TO RATION THEIR OWN FOR YEARS.

GIVE OR TAKE.

>> FDOT SAYS IT'S A PROJECT THAT WILL COST AROUND 578 MILLION DOLLARS LIKE ANYBODY WHO TRIES OF THE AREA UNDER A SHOWER.

NO, A C OR STOP THERE FOR.

>> HALF AN HOUR AN HOUR OR SO.

>> IT'S BEEN SO MANY SO MANY PEOPLE MOVING TO THE SPECIFIC AREA HERE.

>> AND THEN YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE COMING AND GOING TO MIAMI THAT THE NEED WAS HE WAS TOO MUCH AND WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

BUT IT WAS NOT THE TRAFFIC NOR THE POPULATION BOOM THAT HAD RESIDENTS ASKING THE MOST QUESTIONS.

>> INSTEAD, >> IT WAS SOUND.

WELL, I KNOW RIGHT NOW YOU CAN HEAR THE HIGHWAY >> SO WITH ADDING MORE LIE LANES, ADDING MORE TRAFFIC GOING THROUGH THE DIFFERENT CHOKE POINTS.

WHAT WAS THAT THING TO DO AS MORE AND MORE CARS GOING THROUGH THERE, ESPECIALLY WITH WHAT I HATE BEING SELECTED?

>> BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD, IT'S QUIET.

SOMETIMES IT'S REALLY LOUD.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT KIND OF PAVEMENT THEY'RE SELECTING.

SO IT IMPACTS TO THE NOISE.

FDOT SAYS IT HAS NOT SET AN OFFICIAL DATE FOR THE START OF THE WIDENING PROJECT FOR WGCU NEWS.

>> I'M KATE KRONON.

>> AND NON PROFIT CALLED GREEN CARS FOR KIDS AIMS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR UNDERSERVED PREGNANT WOMEN WHILE HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE FOUNDER SAYS SINCE 2021, THEY HAVE PROVIDED MORE THAN 10,000 FREE RIDES FOR PREGNANT MOTHERS AND CHILDREN TO GET TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA.

SOME OF THE MOTHERS ARE FROM HENDRY COUNTY WHO NEED TO GET TO DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS ON THE EAST COAST.

THE NONPROFIT SAYS THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR THIS SERVICE EXPOSES A CRITICAL GAP IN ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR DISADVANTAGED MOTHERS AND CHILDREN >> I'M NOW JOINED BY DR CATHERINE TOMS, THE PRESIDENT OF GREEN CARS FOR KIDS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANKS, JENNIFER.

NOW YOUR NONPROFIT IS BASED ON THE EAST COAST OF SOUTH FLORIDA.

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF GREEN CARS FOR KIDS?

SO >> WE WANT TO BRIDGE THE TRANSPORTATION GAP TO GOOD HEALTH FOR BOTH PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

WE KNOW THAT TRANSPORTATION IS A BIG BARRIER TO HEALTH WE JUST WE WANT TO BE THAT CONDUIT BETWEEN THE CLINICS AND HOME.

>> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE OVERALL NEED FOR A SERVICE LIKE THIS IN SOUTH FLORIDA?

>> THE IDEA OF GREEN CARS FOR KIDS CAME ABOUT THROUGH A FOCUS GROUP THAT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE MARCH OF DIMES AND IT WAS LOOKING AT THE REASONS WHY WE'RE SEEING SUCH POOR BIRTH OUTCOMES, PARTICULARLY IN BROWARD COUNTY AND TRANSPORTATION KEPT COMING UP AS A PROBLEM.

SO WITH ONGOING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE MARCH OF DIMES, WE DEVELOPED THIS CONCEPT AND WE LAUNCHED THE PROGRAM AS A PILOT IN BROWARD COUNTY IN 2023.

AND WE'VE BEEN GOING EVER SINCE WE EXPANDED TO MIAMI-DADE IN 2024 AND THEN JUST THIS SUMMER AND PALM BEACH >> CAN YOU TOUCH ON THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THOSE THAT YOU'RE SERVING AND HOW MANY RIDES YOU'VE GIVEN IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

WE SERVE.

WE REALLY TRY AND CLOSE THAT GAP TO MAKE SURE PRIMARILY PREGNANT WOMEN AND WOMEN AND THEIR POSTPARTUM PERIOD ARE GOING TO PRENATAL CARE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT COMPREHENSIVE PRENATAL CARE REALLY REDUCES THE RATE OF PRE-TERM BIRTH AND AND AND COMPLICATIONS WITH THE MOTHER.

SO THAT IS WHAT WE DO.

AND SO THOSE THAT POPULATION IS REALLY A LOW INCOME POPULATION OFTEN MINORITIES.

THEY EITHER UNINSURED OR UNDER-INSURED.

AND WE PARTNER WITH FQ HC SO FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE CENTERS AND SAFETY NET HOSPITALS TO SERVE THOSE PATIENTS AND THEY'RE OFTEN HIGH RISK BECAUSE THEY OFTEN HAVE THINGS LIKE UNTREATED HYPERTENSION, OR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, DIABETES.

THEY'VE HAD A DIFFICULT PREGNANCY AND THE PASS.

>> AND I UNDERSTAND YOU'VE GIVEN THOUSANDS OF RIDES.

A RIGHT?

>> AS OF THIS SUMMER, WE'VE PROVIDED OVER 11,000 THAT'S 1000 RIDES TO OVER 3,000 PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN JUST THESE 3 COUNTIES.

AND WE JUST HAVE ONE CAR IN EACH COUNTY.

WE KNOW THEY NEED IS HUGE.

AND THAT'S A BIG FACTOR IN WOMEN NOT GETTING TO THAT REALLY ESSENTIAL PRENATAL CARE, BUT ALSO CHILDREN WHO HAVE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS LIKE DIABETES OR SICKLE CELL DISEASE IF THEY CAN CONTINUALLY HAVE THIS CHECK IN WITH THEIR FAMILY PHYSICIAN OR A SPECIALIST, THEY CAN AVOID COSTLY AND PAINFUL EMERGENCY ROOM, ADMISSIONS AND AND OTHER ISSUES THAT HAPPEN WHEN YOU DON'T GET THAT CONSTANT CARE THAT YOU NEED.

>> NOW, HOW DO YOU GET THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND AND THE DRIVERS WHO NEED TO BE QUALIFIED?

OBVIOUSLY, TO PROVIDE THIS KIND OF SERVICE TO PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR BABIES.

>> YEAH.

SO WE PARTNER WITH A REALLY GREAT ORGANIZATION CALLED FREE BE AND THEY ARE IN SOUTH FLORIDA, BUT THEY'RE IN OTHER PARTS OF FLORIDA.

AND EVEN IN NORTH CAROLINA, FOR EXAMPLE, AROUND CHARLOTTE.

SO THEY ONLY USE ELECTRIC CARS.

AND THAT WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE WANT IN OUR PROGRAM TODAY BECAUSE WE KNOW AIR POLLUTION CONTRIBUTES TO ABOUT 8 MILLION PREMATURE DEATHS WORLDWIDE EVERY YEAR.

AND SO WE KNOW PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO AIR POLLUTION AND THINGS LIKE EXTREME HEAT, WHICH ARE EXACERBATED BY THESE POLLUTANTS THAT GO INTO THE AIR.

SO WE ONLY PARTNER WITH THEM BECAUSE THAT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

AND THE U.S.

IN GENERAL RATES VERY LOW WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER HIGH INCOME NATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH.

AND I THINK THAT ANY THRIVING SOCIETY.

IT REALLY PUTS THEIR MONEY AND THEIR TIME AND EFFORT BEHIND THE NEXT GENERATION.

THAT'S THE MOTHER WHOSE HE'S CARRYING THE CHILD, BUT ALSO THE CHILD AS HE DEVELOPED OR SHE DEVELOPED.

SO THANK YOU, CATHERINE TOMS, FOUNDER OF GREEN CARS FOR KIDS.

WHAT A GREAT ORGANIZATION.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, JENNIFER.

>> TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM, YOU CAN CHECKOUT THEIR WEBSITE.

>> AT GREEN CARS, THE NUMBER 4 KIDS DOT ORG.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, SIZZLE DINING CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY.

THE ANNUAL DINING EVENT DOES GOING BIGGER AND THAT INCLUDES EVEN MORE SAVINGS FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDIANS.

AS TOURISM SLOWS AND STUDENTS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL.

SEPTEMBER IS HISTORICALLY THE SLOWEST MONTH OF THE YEAR FOR THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

BUT ONE ANNUAL EVENT IS CELEBRATING A MILESTONE FOR BRINGING CUSTOMERS TO THE TABLE.

ALL FOR A GREAT CAUSE.

WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE HAS MORE.

>> 10 YEARS AGO, SIZZLE DINING BEGAN AS A WAY FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA RESTAURANTS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND IT STARTS BY TAKING A GOOD LOOK AT WHAT SHOULD BE ON THE MENU.

>> 2 YEARS AGO, THE EVENT SOLD 60 SOMETHING 1000 DINNERS LAST YEAR.

THE EVENT SOLD 87,000.

SOMETHING DINNERS THIS YEAR.

WE'RE HOPING FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY TO DO OVER $100,000.

>> GUY, CLARK IS PRETTY GOOD AT THIS.

WHEN HE FOUNDED SIZZLE DINING A DECADE AGO, HE STARTED BY RECRUITING 26 RESTAURANTS TO OFFER A DISCOUNTED 3 COURSE MEAL WITH A PORTION GOING TO A LOCAL CHARITY WITH PREVIOUS SUCCESS RUNNING BACON FEST.

CLARKE NEW THE REGION WAS READY FOR AN ANNUAL FOOD CENTRIC CELEBRATION.

>> IT WASN'T THAT I WANTED TO START.

IT WASN'T SOMETHING.

THAT I HAD AND HE REALLY BROUGHT TOGETHER FOODIE FRIEND OF MINE DID COME TO ME AND SAID YOU REALIZE WE DON'T HAVE A RESTAURANT WEEK HERE IN TOWN AND THE MINUTE HE HAD SAID THAT I JUST I HAD THIS EPIPHANY AHEAD IS VISION INTO THE FUTURE OF WHAT IT COULD BE.

>> THE CONCEPT WAS ONE THAT ORIGINALLY WORKED IN NEW YORK CITY AT THE CENTER OF THE RESTAURANT WEEK, A PRICE REDUCED PREFIX, MENU.

THAT IDEA BECAME CRUCIAL TO GUY SOUTHWEST FLORIDA VERSION.

>> I'VE SEEN IN THE VERY FIRST YEAR OF US HAVING TO EXPLAIN TO THE RESTAURANT'S WHAT 3 COURSE MENUS WERE.

WHAT RESTAURANT WEEK WAS AND THEN 10 YEARS LATER NOW, THIS YEAR, EVERY SINGLE RESTAURANT HAS A 3 COURSE MENU DURING THE SUMMER.

EVERY SINGLE RESTAURANT AS EMBRACING THAT 3 COURSE KIND OF STYLE MEAL.

SO IT'S BEEN A REALLY NEAT THING TO WATCH THAT GROW OVER THE LAST 9 YEARS.

>> FOR RESTAURANT TOURS SUCH AS GRANT FEELING JOINING SIZZLE DINING WAS A NO-BRAINER.

PHELAN FAMILY RESTAURANTS, WHICH OWNS LOCAL SPOTS SUCH AS PINCHERS AND SHOPS WAS PART OF THE INAUGURAL COLLECTION OF RESTAURANTS.

NOW A NEW ESTABLISHMENT BIMINI BASIN IN CAPE CORAL HAS JOINED THE ANNUAL TRADITION.

>> GENERALLY, THOUGH, SIZZLE, IT'S GOTTEN SO WELL KNOWN OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.

AND MOST PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR THIS MANY WHEN THEY COME IN SO THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO.

AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR >> OVER THE COURSE OF 10 YEARS FEELING HAS SEEN SIZZLE, DINING, GROW AND HELP EXPAND THE FOOD CULTURE IN THE REGION.

THE FOOD INDUSTRY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HAS GROWN.

>> SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE 30 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS DOWN HERE AND NOW YOU HAVE 140 DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATING IN SIZZLE.

SEEMS LIKE THAT'S GOT TO BE 70, 80% OF THE RESTAURANTS AND ALL OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

AND IT'S JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND TRY DIFFERENT THINGS AT THE HEART OF THE EVENT, THE CONCEPT OF GIVING BACK.

>> WITH THE PURCHASE OF EVERY SIZZLE DINING MEAL COMES A DONATION TO THE NON-PROFIT BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK.

>> IT'S REALLY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART BECAUSE I GREW UP WITH A SINGLE MOM.

SHE WORKED 3 JOBS.

THAT WASN'T ALWAYS FOOD IN THE IN THE FRIDGE.

I WAS A LATCH KEY KIDS.

I WAS ONE OF THOSE FREE LUNCH KIDS.

SO I REALLY KNEW WHAT IT MEANT AND WHAT I FOUND OUT, WHAT BLESSINGS DOES THEY FEED THE KIDS ON THE WEEKENDS, HELP THEM GET THROUGH THE WEEKENDS.

IT REALLY RESONATED AND MADE SENSE.

MY MOM WAS A SCHOOL TEACHER FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS IN THE COLLIER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

>> SO WHENEVER AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THE SCHOOL SYSTEM'S COMES UP, WE STILL ALWAYS GIVE BACK AND ALWAYS WELL.

>> THE EVENT ALSO GIVES BACK TO THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY WORKERS.

SEPTEMBER IS NORMALLY A DOWN MONTH FOR RESTAURANTS AND SOME LOCATIONS OPERATE AT A LOSS UNTIL SEASON PICKS UP AGAIN.

THE CHANCE TO ATTRACT CUSTOMERS WITH DISCOUNTED PRICES HELPS THOSE WHO MAKE A LIVING IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY.

>> YOU KNOW?

>> WHEN THE SERVER COMES UP TO YOU AT THE END OF SIZZLE AND SAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW, I WAS ABLE TO MAKE MORE MONEY FROM TIPS THAT I DID IN THE PRIOR SEPTEMBER.

I CAN BUY CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR MY KIDS.

IT JUST HITS YOU RIGHT IN THE HEART TO KNOW THAT THE DISHWASHERS ARE MAKING EXTRA HOURS TO KNOW THAT THE BARTENDERS ARE MAKING EXTRA TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE REALLY AFFECTING SO MANY PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, ALMOST 20 MILLION DOLLARS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

IT JUST IT.

I I'M SPEECHLESS ON HOW HOW MAKES ME FEEL.

>> FOLLOWING 10 YEARS OF STEADY GROWTH, GUYS ALREADY THINKING OF NEXT YEAR AND WAYS TO IMPROVE ON WHAT HAS BECOME PART OF THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DINING CALENDAR STARTING NEXT YEAR, WORK HAPPENING AT 150 RESTAURANT SO THAT WE CAN START WORKING ON THE QUALITY.

>> FOR A LIST OF ALL RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATING IN SIZZLE DINING, YOU CAN HEAD TO SIZZLE, DINING DOT ORG WITH VIDEOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH LA SHAWN AND FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M TEDDY BYRNE.. >> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY WEEKEND.