IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO OBTAIN BASIC MEDICAL NEEDS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

WE LEARN ABOUT THE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO HELP PARENTS WHO ARE RELYING ON MEDICAID FOR THEIR KIDS.

HEALTH.

A RARE FEAT TO READ THAT OFFERS A LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF MARCO ISLAND IS CAPTIVATING HISTORY LOVERS.

IT'S YOUR TIME TO CHECK OUT THE KEY.

MARCO CAT IS QUICKLY COMING TO AN END AND PROVIDING A PATH FORWARD FOR CHILDREN.

AN OCEAN AWAY.

THE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE THAT BRINGS CULTURE AND AWARENESS FOR THE STRUGGLES OF THE CHILDREN OF AFRICA.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US IN FLORIDA, THERE ARE OVER 2 MILLION CHILDREN ENROLLED IN MEDICAID.

THIS ENSURES ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE LOW-COST HEALTH COVERAGE.

AND IT'S A VITAL SAFETY NET FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

HOWEVER, PEDIATRICIANS ARE NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED TO ACCEPT MEDICAID FOR ROUTINE CARE THAT LEAVES SOME FAMILIES TO CONDUCT EXTENSIVE RESEARCH TO FIND A PROVIDER THAT ACTUALLY ACCEPTS THEIR INSURANCE.

IT CAN ALSO LEAD TO WEEKS WAITING FOR APPOINTMENTS ARE TRAVELING LONG DISTANCES JUST FOR BASIC CARE.

>> CHRIS JOHNSON IS THE CEO AND FOUNDER OF BLUEBIRD KIDS, HEALTH.

>> HE JOINS US NOW FROM BOSTON FOR MORE ON THIS GROWING CONCERN AND HOW TO GET HELP FINDING PEDIATRIC CARE.

WELCOME TO OUR SHOW TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

CHRIS.

CAN YOU FIRST EXPLAIN WHAT IS MEDICAID AND HOW IT DIFFERS FROM MEDICARE AND AND WHO IT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN YOU THINK OF THE U.S.

HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, THERE ARE 3 PRIMARY PAYERS OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES, MEDICARE, WHICH PROVIDES INSURANCE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE 65 AND OLDER.

WE HAVE COMMERCIAL INSURANCE, WHICH IS MOST FOLKS RECEIVE THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYER.

WE'RE POTENTIALLY THROUGH THE HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES AND THEN MEDICAID, WHICH IS ANOTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT IS FOCUSED ON POPULATIONS THAT ARE LOWER INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD COMMERCIAL INSURANCE OR HAVE VERY COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS.

>> ABOUT HOW MANY CHILDREN IN OUR COUNTRY ARE ARE ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM.

>> YEAH.

SO SO THE GENESIS OF ONE OF THE CORE POPULATIONS BACK IN THE 60'S WHEN IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT WAS TUPPER ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN HAD ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES TODAY, NEARLY 50% OF CHILDREN IN THE U.S.

ARE COVERED BY MEDICAID OR ANOTHER PROGRAM CALLED THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, WHICH IS SIMILAR OFFERING MEDICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE.

>> AND WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING PARENTS WITH KIDS ON MEDICAID?

THEY NEED TO GET THEIR KID IN TO SEE A DOCTOR.

I'M GOING TO SPECIFICALLY FOCUS ON FLORIDA AND SOUTH FLORIDA.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

>> YEAH, IT ACCESS TO CARE IS AN INCREDIBLY LARGE BARRIER FOR THESE FAMILIES AND IT REALLY FALLS INTO 2 CATEGORIES ONE IS THAT, WELL, 50% OF CHILDREN ARE COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID.

GENERALLY.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE AVERAGE PEDIATRICIAN PANEL, WELL, UNDER 50% OF THAT PANEL, OUR CHILDREN, MEDICAID, IT'S ON AVERAGE 15 OR 20%.

SOME PEDIATRICIANS DON'T ACCEPT MEDICAID ON THEIR PANEL.

SO THERE'S THAT DYNAMIC OF JUST AND NOT ENOUGH.

PEDIATRICIANS ARE ACCEPTING MEDICAID.

THE SECOND CHALLENGE THAT YOU THEN SEE IS THAT WHAT THIS HAS LED TO WHAT WE CALL A PEDIATRIC CARE DESERTS WHERE AROUND ALL MAJOR METRO AREAS, IF YOU LOOK AT THE LOWEST INCOME COMMUNITIES IN THOSE METRO AREAS, THE NUMBER OF PEDIATRICIANS IS ABOUT 50% AS THE HIGHER INCOME ZIP CODE.

SO THERE'S ACTUAL LIKE PHYSICAL ACCESS BARRIERS ON TOP OF JUST CHALLENGE IS ACTUALLY FINDING A PEDIATRICIAN IS GOING TO ACCEPT MEDICAID.

>> WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS?

IT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE MENTIONING.

YOU KNOW, THEY MAY LACK ACCESS PHYSICALLY TO GET TO A CLINIC, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT ITS ROLE.

BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS, IS ALSO SUBURBAN.

SO EVEN WHEN YOU WHEN YOU LOOK AT COMMUNITIES LIKE FORT LAUDERDALE WIN, YOU LOOK AT JACKSONVILLE, THE PEDIATRICIANS THAT ARE THERE TEND TO BE CLUSTERED IN THE MIDDLE TO HIGHER INCOME COMMUNITIES AND LOWER MIDDLE CLASS TO LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER ACCESS BARRIERS.

AND THAT'S TRUE OF RURAL COMMUNITIES.

BUT IT'S ALSO KIND OF AN URBAN SUBURBAN CHALLENGE THAT CAN EXIST AS WELL.

>> AND YOU FOUNDED BLUEBIRD KIDS HEALTH.

I KNOW YOU RAISED.

I THINK IT WAS 31 MILLION IN CAPITAL FROM INVESTORS LAST YEAR.

WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO AND WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE COMPANY?

>> YEAH, OUR OUR ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL CARE SO ALL CHILDREN CAN THRIVE.

AND THAT'S OUR MISSION.

THAT'S AT THE CORE OF WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE MAY CALL FOR DECISIONS.

WE ACTUALLY BUILD A RETAIL PEDIATRIC PRACTICES.

SO THINK IN LARGE SHOPPING, PLAZAS, WE LOCATE THOSE IN AREAS THAT ARE WHAT WE CALL PEDIATRIC CARE DESERTS.

SO WE MAP GEOGRAPHY AS WE LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN, LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF PEDIATRICIANS PER 1000 CHILDREN AND WE FIND THE COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T HAVE GOOD ACCESS TODAY, BUILD A NEW ACCESS POINT.

THERE.

AND THEN WE ENSURE THAT WE WE CONTRACT WITH ALL THE INSURANCE PLANS IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO WHETHER YOU HAVE A KIND OF A CADILLAC AND, YOU KNOW, COMMERCIAL INSURANCE PRODUCT OR YOU'RE COVERED BY ONE OF THE MANY MEDICAID PRODUCTS IN THE STATE WERE ABLE TO GET ACCESS AT OUR AT OUR CLINIC.

>> WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR MOMS AND DADS WITH KIDS ON MEDICAID?

THERE ARE NO PROVIDERS ARE.

THEY'RE STILL WAITING TO GET THEIR KIDS SCENE.

YOUR FACILITIES AREN'T IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA YET.

WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE?

>> YOU KNOW, WHAT WILL BE COMING TO SOUTH OF FLORIDA SOON.

HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF 2027.

SO SO AT THAT POINT, WE HOPE WE HOPE YOU'LL COME TO BLUEBIRD KIDS, HEALTH.

IN THE MEANTIME, IT REALLY IS, YOU KNOW, BEING IN A ROW, A STAUNCH ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILDREN CALLING AROUND TO ALL OF THE PEDIATRICIANS.

IT IN THE COMMUNITY, CALLING THE PEDIATRICIANS THAT ARE FILLED WITH LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEMS.

REALLY THAT KIND OF KNOCK KNOCK DOWN THE DOOR AND BE ABLE TO TAKE TO GET THROUGH UNFORTUNATE.

THERE'S NOT A GREAT, YOU KNOW, SECRET STASH OF PEDIATRICIANS AROUND TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS.

IT IS ONE WHERE YOU HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT FOR ACCESS TO THAT JUST DON'T GIVE UP.

PEDIATRICIANS WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

THEY WANT TO PROVIDE CARE FOR ALL CHILDREN ARE SOME OF THE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS AROUND MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT CAN MAKE THAT QUITE CHALLENGING TO THAT.

>> AND I JUST WONDER YOU'RE YOU'RE SO INVOLVED IN THIS LEGISLATIVELY.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION TO THINK MORE SHOULD BE DONE ON THE LEGISLATIVE FRONT TO HELP THESE CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICAID?

I THINK YOU.

>> ACCESS TO MEDICAID FOR FOR CHILDREN GENERALLY ISN'T ISN'T A HUGE PROBLEM ARE ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD ABOUT ENSURING THAT CHILDREN CITIZEN CHILDREN, OF OF THE OF THE COUNTRY HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICAID AND THAT THE CHALLENGE AND WHAT WE NEED FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE IS FOR MORE OF THOSE DOLLARS TO FLOW THROUGH TO COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDERS WHO ARE REALLY PROVIDING THIS ESSENTIAL FRONTLINE PROACTIVE PREVENTATIVE CARE FOR CHILDREN AND BUILDING TRUST WITH FAMILIES SO THAT, YOU KNOW, MOMS AND DADS KNOW THAT THEY'RE DOING THE BEST THING THEY CAN DO FOR THEIR FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

SO THAT'S THAT'S WHAT I SAY.

LOOK, MAKE SURE THAT MORE OF THOSE RESOURCES ARE GOING TO THE COMMUNITY BASED PROVIDERS CREATE THE INCENTIVE FOR MORE ACCESS TO DEMOCRATIZE THE SYSTEM AND AS A COUNTRY, ONE OF THE ONE OF THE REALLY INTERESTING THINGS IS WHEN WE LOOK AT KIND OF SOME OF THE LIFE EXPECTANCY GAPS BETWEEN THE U.S.

AND OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, MOST OF THAT DELTA, MOST OF THAT, YOU KNOW, THE 4 SO FEWER YEARS THAT AMERICAN IS EXPECTED TO LIVE VERSUS A LOT OF WESTERN EUROPEAN AND OTHER WEALTHY COUNTRIES IS DRIVEN BY CIRCUMSTANCES.

THAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST 18 TO 21 YEARS OF LIFE.

WE NEED TO MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS IN CHILDREN.

IT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE OVERALL LIFE EXPECTANCY, AN OUNCE OF AN INTERVENTION EARLY REALLY CHANGES THE LIFELONG TRAJECTORY OF CHILDREN.

AND IT'S GOING TO HELP MAKE MORE THRIVING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA, BUT ALSO ACROSS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

CHRIS JOHNSON.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> COMING UP NEXT, TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR YOU TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF A LOOK INTO THE HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

WE VENTURE TO MARCO ISLAND TO JOIN HISTORY LOVERS AS THEY EXAMINED THE KEY MARCO CAT.

THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS ONE IN 31 CHILDREN HAS AUTISM FOR SOME SPEECH CAN BE DIFFICULT TO LEARN AS PART OF AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH.

WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE SHARES THE INSPIRING STORY OF A LITTLE GIRL WHO WENT FROM BEING NON VERBAL TO TALKING NON STOP.

>> ALL >> RIGHT.

WITH HER PLAYFUL PERSONALITY AND INFECTIOUS SMILE, IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE DANNY RAY HAS EVER HAD TROUBLE TALKING.

COOL.

OKAY.

>> 15 >> MONTHS, I WOULD SAY SHE JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED TALKING NO MORE MOM ON THEM OR DAD THAT EVEN BASIC WORDS.

>> DANNY'S MOM, JACKIE SAYS SHE AND HER HUSBAND THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A PHASE.

BUT THEN THEY STARTED TO NOTICE SOME OTHER CONCERNS TO KIND OF SCARE OFF.

SHE WOULDN'T LOOK AT ANYBODY >> I DANNY WAS EVENTUALLY DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM AND HAS BEEN APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS THERAPY AT CLEVELAND CLINIC CHILDREN'S EVER SENSE WITH A BA WE USE PROMPTING AND REINFORCEMENT.

>> TO HELP TEACH CHILDREN WAYS TO MANAGE MORE CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR, IMPROVED COMMUNICATION AND HELP THEM BUILD INDEPENDENCE IS.

>> G R GRABER IS A BEHAVIOR ANALYST.

SHE SAYS IT'S REMARKABLE TO SEE HOW FAR THE FORMAL HOME.

>> KUEHL.

SHE HAS A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR THOSE EARLY ACADEMIC SKILLS.

LETTERS, NUMBERS, HANDWRITING, SHE LIVES ARE TRYING PLAYING.

SO SHE HAS MADE PROGRESS FROM THIS QUIET, A LITTLE GIRL WHO MAYBE COULDN'T MANAGE SOME HARD FEELINGS TO SOCIAL BUTTERFLY.

>> JACK SAYS THEY ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HELP AND CHERISH THEIR DAILY CHATS WITH DANNY.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE COMPLAIN ALL THE TIME OF MY KIDS DON'T STOP TALKING, BUT >> I HAVE A DIFFERENT FEELING ABOUT THAT.

WHEN YOUR KID GOES FROM SAYING MOM TO NOT AT ALL.

SO >> WE JUST HELP EVERY DAY FOR HER TO TALK AGAIN FOR THEIR FOR WGCU NEWS IM TEDDY BYRNE >> THE MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM IS PREPARING TO SAY GOODBYE TO A VERY SPECIAL GUEST.

THE WORLD FAMOUS KEY MARCO CAT AND NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACT BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CARVED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 51500 YEARS AGO.

WGCUS JANINE ZEITLIN CAUGHT UP WITH CAT EXPERTS AND FANS DURING A FAREWELL CELEBRATION AT THE MUSEUM.

>> MARCO ISLAND RESIDENTS RALLIED AROUND THE EFFORT TO BRING THE KEY MARCO CAT FROM THE SMITHSONIAN TO THE MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM.

BUT THE LOAN IS ENDING AND THE CAT MUST GO BACK.

SAID PAT RUTLEDGE CEO OF THE MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

>> CATS BEEN WITH US FOR 7 AND A HALF YEARS.

WE FEEL LIKE IT'S IT'S PART OF US IS PART OF WHO WE ARE.

IT'S CERTAINLY PART OF MARCO ISLAND STORY.

SO IT IS SAD TO SAY GOODBYE, BUT IT'S BEEN SO SPECIAL TO HAVE IT.

>> SO THE KEY MARCO CAT IS ONE OF HUNDREDS OF ARTIFACTS THAT WERE DISCOVERED HERE ON MARCO ISLAND IN 18.

96 BY A FAMOUS ARCHAEOLOGIST FRANCK HAMILTON, CUSHING.

AND IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE ASSEMBLAGES OF NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACTS EVER DISCOVERED.

AND IT'S SO REMARKABLE BECAUSE THE ARTIFACTS WERE MOSTLY MADE OUT OF WOOD AND 0.5 OR AND OTHER ORGANIC MATERIALS THAT DON'T ORDINARILY SURVIVE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT.

AND THE CAT IS.

YOU KNOW, THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE COLLECTION, IF YOU WILL.

IT'S ABOUT 6 INCHES TALL.

BUT CARVED FROM A NATIVE WOULD SPECIES AND IN THE LIKENESS OF PROBABLY THE FLORIDA PANTHER NATIVE FLORIDA PANTHER, IT'S REALLY AN EARLY EXAMPLE OF NATIVE AMERICAN ART BEING MADE PROBABLY BEFORE THE TIME OF THEIR ARRIVAL OF EUROPEANS TO THIS COMMENT.

>> AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING, TOO, IS WE REALLY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE TRUE PURPOSE OF THE ARTIFACT WAS.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN CEREMONIAL COULD HAVE BEEN RELIGIOUS COULD'VE BEEN A CHILD'S TOY.

WE'LL NEVER REALLY KNOW THE PURPOSE OF IT WHEN IT WAS CREATED, WHICH IS PART OF THE MYSTERY OF IT.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT SUCH A COMPELLING STORY.

>> THE KEY MARCO CAT PLAYED A PART IN SHAPING THE MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM RECENTLY NAMED THE 3RD BEST SMALL TOWN MUSEUM BY USA TODAY.

>> SO WHEN THE MUSEUM WAS DESIGNED, IT WAS DESIGNED WITH SPECIAL BOUGHT THAT WOULD HOLD THE CAT SECURELY AND YET MAKE IT VISIBLE TO.

OVER 155,000.

PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME TO SEE THE CAP.

>> IN THE LAST DAY TO SEE THE KEY MARCO CAT, THE MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM IS SATURDAY.

APRIL 18TH ADMISSION IS FREE.

THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF OTHER THINGS TO SEE AT THE MUSEUM.

BUT MARCO RESIDENTS ARE NOT READY TO SAY FAREWELL TO THEIR FAVORITE FELINE AGAIN.

IT'S IT'S SO MUCH A PART OF US, BUT IT'S SO MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY, TOO.

>> AND LOVED HAVING THE CAT HERE.

EVERYONE'S ASKING, WHY DO WE HAVE AND GIVE THE CAT THAT, YOU KNOW, THE CAMP BELONGS HERE.

WELL, WE DON'T OWN THE CAT, THE SMITHSONIAN AIR AND AND HIS FRAGILE AND.

HE NEEDS TO KIND OF TAKE A LITTLE REST, BUT LIGHT HURTS HIM.

AND SO ON.

I I'LL START WORKING ON IT AGAIN.

A CITY LATE THURSDAY GOES OVER THE OF PEOPLE.

CAN'T.

WE GOT TO GET THEM BACK >> FOR WGCU, I'M JANINE ZEITLIN WITH VIDEOGRAPHER TOM JAMES.

>> TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF MARCO ISLAND IN COLLIER COUNTY AND THE KEY MARCO CAT.

WE ARE NOW JOINED BY PAT RUTLEDGE, THE CEO OF THE MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY FROM MARCO ISLAND.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

IT'S A PLEASURE.

WHY IS THIS TINY KEY MARCO CAT SUCH A HUGE ATTRACTION FOR?

I THINK IT'S AT LEAST 150,000 PEOPLE SO FAR TO MARCO.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ICONIC.

>> AND THAT PIECE WAS FOUND HERE ON MARCO ISLAND.

>> IN 18, 96 BY FRANK HAMILTON, CUSHING, ALONG WITH ALMOST 1000 OTHER ARTIFACTS.

AND WHAT WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL BECAUSE IT IS BETWEEN.

15500 YEARS OLD IS THE FACT THAT DESPITE THE FACT IT'S AN ORGANIC PEACE, IT IS STILL VERY MUCH INTACT.

ALOT OF THE OBJECTS THAT WERE FOUND IN THE ORIGINAL DIG ONCE THEY BEGAN TO INTERACT WITH THE AIR, THEY IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO DETERIORATE.

BUT THE KEY MARCO CAT REMAINED INTACT AND IT'S A WONDERFUL REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE AT A TIME THAT IS NO LONGER HERE.

>> AND THIS CAT HAS BEEN AT YOUR MUSEUM.

I THINK IT'S ABOUT 7 YEARS.

7 AND A HALF YEARS.

>> AND IT IS THE LONGEST STRETCH OF TIME.

>> THAT THE OBJECT HAS BEEN AN EXHIBIT IN ONE SINGLE MUSEUM.

OF COURSE, IT'S BEEN ON DISPLAY ELSEWHERE, BUT IT'S NEVER BEEN IN ONE MUSEUM FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

SO VERY PROUD OF THAT.

NOW AT YOUR MUSEUM WAS RECENTLY NAMED THE 3RD BEST SMALL TOWN MUSEUM.

>> BY USA TODAY, WHAT MAKES THE MUSEUM SO SPECIAL IN MARCO ISLAND?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S SO INTERESTING BECAUSE I'M MARCO ISLAND IS A BARRIER ISLAND WHERE 4 BY 6 MILES AND SO WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, THEY DON'T EXPECT TO SEE A MUSEUM OF THE QUALITY THAT THEY EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY WALK IN THAT FRONT DOOR.

NOW WE'RE IN A WORD WINNING MUSEUM IN MORE WAYS THAN JUST THIS MOST RECENT RECOGNITION WE'VE TWICE WON THE HIGHEST AWARD IN FLORIDA MUSEUM SYSTEM, THE MUSEUM OF EXCELLENCE AND FOR A SMALL MUSEUM AND A BARRIER ISLAND TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THAT WAY IS IT'S RARE AND IT WE ARE VERY WELL DESERVING OF IT.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER EXHIBITS THAT ARE THERE?

>> SO IN THE TRAVELING GALLERY AND EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS, WE DO CHANGE THAT OUT.

WE NOW HAVE JUST OPENED AN AMAZING EXHIBIT IN RECOGNITION OF THE AMERICA.

2.50, MILESTONE THAT'S APPROACHING AND THE EXHIBIT IS CALLED AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S A PHOTOGRAPHY.

EXHIBIT BY CLYDE BUTCHER AND CLYDE BUTCHER'S, A RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER JUSTIN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

BUT NATIONALLY AND IT'S HIS LARGE FORMAT.

IMAGES OF THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY THAT WE LIVE IN FROM THE REDWOOD FOREST OF CALIFORNIA TO THE EVERGLADES OF FLORIDA.

SO IT'S A VERY, VERY SPECIAL EXHIBIT HONORING THE BEAUTY OF OUR COUNTRY.

AND WE'RE DOING THAT INTENTIONALLY TO CELEBRATE AMERICA.

2.50, THAT SOUNDS AMAZING.

>> IT WAS NOT.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF MARCO ISLAND THAT WE MIGHT NOT KNOW.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE WE ARE WE ARE RESORT ISLAND RESORT COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE COME THINKING THAT WE BEGIN WITH THE MEDICAL BROTHERS IN THE 1960'S IN 1970'S.

AND THAT TRULY IS THE START OF MODERN MARCO.

BUT OUR HISTORY IS AN ANCIENT ONE.

WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE ON THIS ISLAND FOR 6,000 YEARS AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT OR EXPECTED WHEN THEY COME TO THE MUSEUM.

BUT OUR STORIES ARE OLD AND THERE ARE MANY AND OUR MUSEUM DOES A BEAUTIFUL JOB OF TELLING THEM IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> AND FINALLY, THE CAT THAT HAS BEEN IN THE MUSEUM FOR MORE THAN 7 YEARS NOW NEEDS TO LEAVE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT LETTING HIM GO?

YOU KNOW, >> CERTAINLY MIXED EMOTIONS.

AND WE'VE BEEN VERY PROUD TO HAVE THAT ARE IN EFFECT.

>> HERE WHERE IT WAS FIRST FOUND.

BUT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE A SMALL MUSEUM.

AND SO THEREFORE, NOT NECESSARILY AS WELL EQUIPPED AS THE ACTUAL OWNING INSTITUTION, THE SMITHSONIAN TO CARE FOR IT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME IN.

THIS IS A TREASURE AND IT NEEDS TO BE PRESERVED PROPERLY THE OTHER WAY I THINK ABOUT IT IS IT IS MARCO ISLAND'S REPRESENTATION IN OUR COUNTRY'S MUSEUM, THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

AND SO THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS A HUGE RECOGNITION FOR FOR OUR ISLAND.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US TODAY ABOUT THE KEY MARCO CAT OR ABOUT YOUR MUSEUM?

I'M IS AMAZING.

AND IF YOU COME, YOU WILL, AS I SAID, LEARN OUR STORIES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

WE ARE INTERACTIVE.

WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF COPY WEISE.

WE SHOW VIDEO.

WE LOOK FOR WAYS ALWAYS TO TELL THE STORIES BECAUSE THEY NEED TO BE PRESERVED.

HISTORY CAN'T DISAPPEAR.

AND SO IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THIS, THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND THAT WE CALL PARADISE THE MUSEUM, THIS THE PLACE TO START.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS GREAT INFORMATION.

THANK YOU, PAT.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU.

>> BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE KEY MARCO CAT BEFORE IT LEAVES THE MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM.

THEY ARE OPEN TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY FROM 09:00AM TO 04:00PM.

AND ONCE AGAIN, THE ADMISSION IS FREE FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN HEAD TO THE M I H S DOT INFO WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, GIVING KIDS HOPE THROUGH SONG IN CELEBRATION.

HOW ONE GROUP IS IMPACTING MILLIONS OF CHILDREN IN AFRICA BY BRINGING THEIR CULTURE TO AMERICAN AUDIENCES.

THE AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR.

THE MISSION IS SIMPLE, UNITE MILLIONS OF SUFFERING CHILDREN WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES IN A CELEBRATION OF SONG.

THE GROUP HAS HELPED THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN IN AFRICA WHO ARE TRAPPED IN THE CYCLE OF POVERTY.

WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE ATTENDED A RECENT PERFORMANCE IN NAPLES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT THE PROGRAM IS HAVING ON THE KIDS ON STAGE.

>> IT WAS THE SCENE OF SINGERS, TRADITIONAL COSTUMES AND ROWS OF DRUMS, A PERFORMANCE WHERE IT WAS DONATIONS.

ONLY WITH EVERY DOLLAR GOING BACK TO EDUCATION IN UGANDA.

THIS IS THE AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR TAKING THE STAGE AT NAPLES ADVENTIST >> SO ACHES A DID AND IT COULD NOT SLEEP THROUGH THE SLOGAN STATES.

>> OFFSTAGE 8 TO 10 YEAR-OLDS CROP SECONDS AT THE DINNER TABLE TRYING DISHES.

THEY'VE NEVER TASTED BEFORE WHERE THEY COME FROM.

A MEAL IS NOT ALWAYS A GUARANTEE.

>> MOSTLY HOME WOLF, BUT CONES THAT YOU DIDN'T COME FROM.

AND THEY HUMBLE.

I MEAN.

SOME DAYS YOU HAVE A MEAL SOME DAYS.

SHE MAY KNOW IT.

THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE.

THE DIFFERENCE IN IN THE AND IN THE LIFESTYLE THAT BEFORE THE TOUR, THE CHILDREN ATTENDED THE CHOIRS PRIMARY SCHOOL IN KAMPALA.

>> TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS MATERIALS FROM UGANDA THROUGHOUT THE 9 MONTH TRIP AND TRIP THE COVERS NUMEROUS STATES.

THEN THERE'S THE HOMESICKNESS THESE ARE ALL THINGS TOUR LEADER DANIEL TOM, A LA KNOWS ALL TOO WELL.

SO I WAS UP TO THE IN THE KWAI.

>> A COVID AS A CHILD.

WE'VE BECOME TOO DIDN'T SQUARE.

>> THAT'S ALUMINUM, 10.

THEY GO INTO AND IT'S NO >> 19 YEARS.

THEY NEED GUIDANCE.

THEY DIDN'T MEANT ISSUE.

BUT THE BUBBLE THEY NEED TO DO.

BECAUSE IT'S THE LOVE THAT FUSE THE VOID.

OVE, YOU KNOW.

FROM THEIR PARENTS.

AND REDUCING THE MANY TIMES YOU HAVE TO COUNT.

WE'LL TELL YOU BEING HOMES.

HE HAD NOW.

HE LEADS THE NEXT GROUP OF CHILDREN LIKE 10 YEAR-OLD, CRISTOBAL AND LEAST JOINED THE CHOIR, NOT KNOWING.

>> WHAT TO EXPECT.

>> I DIDN'T HAVE THAT.

I WAS GOING TO FINISH SCHOOL.

AND MY PARENTS DIDN'T HAVE.

AND AS THAT LINE WILL, TOO.

THAT'S THE LAST.

I MEAN, THESE.

ALL RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT IS COMING TO US.

I DO NOT HAVE THEIR LAND WAS KIND OF GET PEOPLE TO COME BACK TO A HOME.

>> TOM DELAY SAYS EVEN THOUGH ALL THE SHOP ROOMS AND CHILDREN ARE VOLUNTEERS, MONEY EARNED THROUGH SPONSORSHIP AND MERCHANDISE.

SALES PACE FOR THE CHILDREN'S EDUCATION FROM PRIMARY SCHOOL ALL THE WAY THROUGH COLLEGE >> WE DO WANT TO SHOW PEOPLE THE POTENTIAL WELL, THESE TRUE TO THOSE BEFORE ME.

AND WE'RE GOING TO COME OUT HAS A YOU KNOW, WE WANT UP TO WHAT YOU PUFFY.

BUT RATHER THE WE WANT YOU TO SEE THE POTENTIAL TO STUDENT WANT WANT YOU TO SEE THAT.

THEY CAN HAVE A HOPE.

FOR THE FUTURE AND YOU KNOW, WHEN THE SONGS THAT WE SEEN THE HEENES AND THE DOES SING IT TO THE BRINGS OUT.

THE THE JOY OF THE CHILDREN.

>> THE PROGRAM HAS REACHED MORE THAN 59,000 CHILDREN SINCE 1984, ALL DONATIONS FROM THE CONCERT GO DIRECTLY TO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN AFRICA.

THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR WILL CONTINUE INTO US TORE THROUGH MID-MAY WAS TO CONTINUE TO SEE.

>> THE BENEFITS OF HUGGING THE PROGRAM IN UGANDA IN KENYA RIGHT NOW.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME MISSION HELPING BECAUSE MOST WANTED WITH CHILDREN TODAY SO THEY CAN HELP A FICO TOMORROW.

>> FOR WGCU NEWS, I'M ELISABETH ANDARGE >> UPON THE NEXT SOUTHWEST, FLORIDA IN FOCUS BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY.

ONE BEER TIME.

WE CHECK OUT THE LOCAL BREWERY THAT TRANS FORMS ITS SERVICE INTO COMMUNITY SERVICE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU DOT ORG.

AND THAT IS WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK HERE NEXT TIME RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IN FOCUS.