Bradenton's 5 Things to Know Today: April 18

1. The Historic Ware’s Creek Neighborhood Association is looking for volunteers to help clean Wares Creek from 9 a.m. to noon on Satur­day in con­junction with the Great American Cleanup. Refreshments provid­ed. Click here for more information.

2. New Balance has launched a campaign to provide up to 5,000 pairs of “made in America” footwear to Active Duty members. New Balance Sarasota and University Park will donate a pair of shoes for every $10 in-store donation and purchase made by a customer. In partnership with New Balance Corporation, shoes will be collected and sent to the USO which will be responsible for distribution to troops. Donations that exceed the 5,000 pairs will be donated to the USO as cash. For more information, visit www.newbalancesarasota.com or call 941-921-3696.

3. The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program students at the are collecting donations to make Mother’s Day kits for local women’s shelters. Travel-size toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant and powder will be accepted through the first week of May. Donations can be dropped off at the school, 5840 26^th St. West, building 28. For more information or to make a donation, call OTA Director Debra Chasanoff at 941-752-5346 or chasand@scf.edu.

4. The Manatee County Historical Commission is to save the steeple on the 1887 Old Meeting House — the center of Manatee Village Historical Park — which has become the victim of termites and with the upcoming hurricane season is in danger of being lost to the community.

5. will host a free re-enactment the landing of Hernando de Soto on Saturday — 473 years after De Soto and his army landed on the shores of Florida and began their quest. Witness history as De Soto’s boats make landfall, claiming the land of La Florida for the crown of Spain. The demonstration will happen at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm at the monuments along the cove. Walk through time and hear first-hand accounts of the soldiers who trudged over 4,000 miles in search of riches and glory. Hear the stories of their clashes with the Indians of the American Southeast. Watch re-enactors demonstrate the unique weapons used by the Native Americans and the European invaders. Black powder weapons will be fired throughout the day.There will be plenty of activities for kids to do. There will be touch tables where kids can try on Spanish armor, Florida Indian jewelry, and paint their own take home Native American mask and beaded bracelets. Event hours are 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Demonstration times and events will be posted on the day of the event.