RUSKIN -- In 2012, Florida Conference Connection posted a story about Florida United Methodist efforts to help Kelly Kowall launch a retreat for veterans and their families to help them cope with the grief of losing loved ones in battle.

Kowall, whose son, Corey, was killed while serving in the Army in Afghanistan, operates the retreat on the banks of the Little Manatee River in southern Hillsborough County. In 2012, several United Methodist churches helped clean up and repair structures damaged by Tropical Storm Debby.

The effort has continued to grow, as evidenced by an article this month in The Tampa Bay Current.