By NewsLine Staff
mail@floridanewsline.com
Local resident, real estate businessman, and U.S. Navy veteran Eric Tatro recently completed the Fundraising on Foot, River to Beach Run and raised $7,200 for INK!, the St. Johns County Education Foundation. During Tatro’s run, he crossed St. Johns County diagonally from the St. Johns River to St. Augustine Beach with $100 sponsors for every mile of the 36-mile effort.
Donations were covered by local physician, Dr. Tim Cavacini and his wife Lisa, along with The Macquarie Group Foundation, which matched funds raised in accordance with the foundation’s guidelines. The Fundraising On Foot, River to Beach Run included a 36-mile run from Tatro’s home in Julington Creek Plantation to the Beachcomber St. Augustine restaurant in St. Augustine Beach on Saturday, July 3.
The marathon runner successfully helped to contribute to INK! due to his family’s values and belief in quality education for all children in the region, and much needed help for teachers and students in public schools. Tatro, his wife Cherise Lloyd, and their two young sons moved to St. Johns County from Texas in 2016, specifically for their jobs and for the boys to attend the top school system in Northeast Florida. Since arriving in the region, Tatro has become involved in the community and serves as immediate past chair for the St. Johns Chamber of Commerce’s North Business Council, along with his friend Donna Lueders, the executive director for INK! and newly named chair for the Council.
“We thank Eric, Dr. and Mrs. Cavacini, and The Macquarie Group Foundation for the inaugural initiative to help local schoolteachers and students,” Lueders said. “We hope this becomes an annual event in celebration of our nation’s Independence Day.” she said.
The St. Johns County Education Foundation which operates as INK! (Investing in Kids), has an ongoing mission to provide innovative programs and classroom resources to promote the academic success of students in the St. Johns County School District. Visit www.ink-stjohns.org or email Donna.Lueders@stjohns.k12.fl.us for more information.
Photo courtesy INK!
Cherise Lloyd (Eric Tatro’s wife); Cristina and Sean Rotolo, owners of Oxi Fresh of Northeast Florida, who followed Tatro during the run to ensure he had supplies; Donna Lueders, executive director INK!; runner Eric Tatro; and Andréa Knight of Haven Hospice.