Two years ago, Better Together team members shared stories of our efforts to keep children out of foster care at a conference of beverage distributors.
The stories deeply moved Joe Little, the CEO of Bernie Little Distributors, and his son Joseph, who serves as the president and EAM. They decided to help.
“Once we learned what we could do and the people we can take care of in Highlands, Hardee, Okeechobee, and Polk County, it was a no-brainer. Those areas are sometimes forgotten,” said Joe.
Joe’s father, Bernie, the founder, didn’t forget people either. His heart for caring further inspired Joe and Joseph to help establish Better Together in Central Florida.
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the community gathered in Lakeland to celebrate the families helped over the last year.
Pastor Gary Grubbs, executive pastor at Heartland Church, opened the gathering in prayer, and Better Together CEO Megan Rose welcomed everyone.
Orrin and Kara Witt, a host family from Neighborhood Church Lakeland, shared their reason for opening their hearts and home. “We imagined ourselves in the situations of some of these families and said we have to put our money where our mouth is and help,” said Pastor Witt.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd expressed gratitude to the community.
The Lakeland 100, a group supporting nonprofits and community organizations, donated $10,000.
Joseph Little passionately expressed his desire to help prevent children from entering foster care, and Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz joined him for the ribbon cutting.
Thank you, Joe, Joseph, the Bernie Little Distributors team, and the communities of Central Florida.
Click images below to view moments from the ribbon cutting:
Better Together staff, volunteers, community partners, and others celebrated a year of serving families in Central Florida at a ribbon cutting hosted by Bernie Little Distributors on May 13, 2025, in Lakeland. Moments by Kinfay / Better Together 
Better Together staff, volunteers, community partners, and others celebrated a year of serving families in Central Florida at a ribbon cutting hosted by Bernie Little Distributors on May 13, 2025, in Lakeland. Moments by Kinfay / Better Together 
Better Together staff, volunteers, community partners, and others celebrated a year of serving families in Central Florida at a ribbon cutting hosted by Bernie Little Distributors on May 13, 2025, in Lakeland. Moments by Kinfay / Better Together 
Better Together staff, volunteers, community partners, and others celebrated a year of serving families in Central Florida at a ribbon cutting hosted by Bernie Little Distributors on May 13, 2025, in Lakeland. Moments by Kinfay / Better Together 
Better Together staff, volunteers, community partners, and others celebrated a year of serving families in Central Florida at a ribbon cutting hosted by Bernie Little Distributors on May 13, 2025, in Lakeland. Moments by Kinfay / Better Together 
Better Together staff, volunteers, community partners, and others celebrated a year of serving families in Central Florida at a ribbon cutting hosted by Bernie Little Distributors on May 13, 2025, in Lakeland. Moments by Kinfay / Better Together 
Better Together staff, volunteers, community partners, and others celebrated a year of serving families in Central Florida at a ribbon cutting hosted by Bernie Little Distributors on May 13, 2025, in Lakeland. Moments by Kinfay / Better Together 
Better Together staff, volunteers, community partners, and others celebrated a year of serving families in Central Florida at a ribbon cutting hosted by Bernie Little Distributors on May 13, 2025, in Lakeland. Moments by Kinfay / Better Together 
Better Together staff, volunteers, community partners, and others celebrated a year of serving families in Central Florida at a ribbon cutting hosted by Bernie Little Distributors on May 13, 2025, in Lakeland. Moments by Kinfay / Better Together
Story and Moments by Kinfay / Better Together
