June 2008                                                                                                  Vol. 7, Issue 6
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Learn More
Hillsborough Teens Thank Scholarship Donors
Making The Dream A Reality
Grant Recipient Roy Moral
Stuff The Bus - School Supply Drive
Thank You To Our May Supporters

Events Apple

 
Upcoming Events
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Tools 4 Schools Breakfast
August 20th, Hyatt Regency Downtown Tampa
 
On August 20th, members of the Tampa business and philanthropic communities will gather to support Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools, a program of the Hillsborough Education Foundation.  This vital program puts basic school supplies into the hands of students in the district's most economically disadvantaged schools, and provides additional resources for the teachers' classrooms.  Revenue raised from this fundraising breakfast will help to support this program and to provide students with the tools they need to be academically successful. Sponsorship opportunities are available.   For more information on sponsorship or reservations, please call Linda Beckman at (813) 231-1948.

 
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New Teacher Orientation
July 23-25, Wharton High School
 
More than 800 new teachers will attend this three-day program designed to welcome and prepare them for their careers in Hillsborough County Public Schools. Take advantage of a great opportunity to introduce yourself to Hillsborough's newest educators.  For more information, please contact Mindi Zink at (813) 231-1952. 

Learn More

 
 
 
Join Mailing List 
Note From The President
 
"Young people these days . . .". How many times have you heard this followed by a derogatory comment? As a supporter of public education, I'm sure you've never thought this because you have first hand knowledge that could quickly debunk it.
 
If you saw the recently expanded coverage of the county high school graduations highlighting the impressive quality of graduates in our district or had an opportunity to attend any of the graduations - or to attend our Scholarship Reception (read about that below) - you must feel optimistic about our community's future.  We have wonderfully focused and talented young people striving to succeed. This is what is to be expected when fourteen (14) of our high schools are ranked in Newsweek's "Top High Schools in the Nation".
 
As we finish the school year we reflect on all of the support provided by our generous partners and donors who continue to make a wise investment in Hillsborough's future. Your efforts have allowed us to provide the "basic tools" for learning to the area's students through our Teaching Tools Supply Store, provide tutoring to young readers through our Hillsborough Reads program, enhanced learning environments in classrooms and schools by awarding a variety of grants to deserving teachers and principals, highlighted educational excellence through recognition and awards programs, and helped student's career dreams move closer to reality through the awarding of scholarships valued at more than $900.000.
 
These investments in Hillsborough's future wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our partners and donors and we hope they all appreciate the "payoff" on their investment as well. 
Hillsborough Teens Thank Scholarship Donors
  
On Saturday May 31st the Hillsborough Education Foundation awarded scholarships valued over $900,000 to more than 300 students. "We had over 5,000 applications," said Foundation President, Bill Hoffman. It was a very, very difficult process to determine the cream of the crop."
 
Recipients and their families celebrated at Nature's Classroom, with some meeting their benefactors for the first time. "It's neat that people we don't know are helping us," said Plant City High Graduate, Lauren Der, recipient of the Joe and Eloise Kuhn Scholarship and Hillsborough Community College Agriculture Scholarship. Students had an opportunity to spend time with donors and thank them in person. 
 
Click here to read the Tampa Tribune article on the Foundation's Scholarship Awards.  
Making The Dream A Reality    
 
Jennifer Gray
Durant High - 2008 Graduate
   
Fulfilling a student's dream and helping others through your support reaches far beyond the recipients of scholarships alone. Jennifer Gray, a Durant High 2008 Graduate is just one example. Due to the generous contributions from our local community she now can fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse. Her desire to tend and provide comfort to others will now be made possible through the South Florida Hospital Foundation's James L. Redman Memorial Scholarship and The American Legion Norman McLeod Post 26.  
 
Jennifer learned at an early age to expect the unexpected when she lost her mother and became a care giver to her disabled father. These unpredictable circumstances made it extremely difficult on her and her family financially. Their plans for saving money for Jennifer to attend college quickly turned to planning how to make ends meet and support the care of her father. The awarding of the scholarship will provide the financial support she and her family desperately needed. "I feel truly blessed and am very thankful, "said Gray. "This scholarship has answered my prayers."
Students Learning More Than How to Play Chess
 
Roy Moral - Principal
Wimauma Elementary
 
Opening the door to opportunity provides social interaction, life skills and positive experiences that can be utilized by students for the rest of their lives. That is exactly what the chess starter funds and School Excellence Grants have meant to Palm River Elementary and Wimauma Elementary.
 
"Children who normally would not have the means to afford participation in the schools chess clubs receive assistance in paying chess dues, tournament fees and membership," said Roy Moral. "The competitive environment creates positive interaction among students allowing them to grow as they mature in chess and in life".
 
To serve the teachers and schools of Hillsborough County through our Grants Programs please contact Tony Holbrook, Associate Director at (813) 231-1937.

"Stuff The Bus" - Back To School Supply Drive 

 
Are you ready to hop on the bus to help underprivileged students?   All students, regardless of their financial situation, deserve an opportunity to maximize their academic potential. This can only be accomplished if each student is equipped with the proper tools to succeed in the classroom.
 
We need supply drive partners to "Stuff the Bus" with basic school supplies.  Donated supplies will be distributed to teachers and their students in schools with a high percentage of families living at or below the poverty line.  Join in and reach out to others within the community to participate and help level the playing field for all students in the classroom.
 
HOW: Host or recruit others to hold a supply drive or donate financially 
  
WHAT: 'Stuff the Bus' Supply drive--- collect basic school supplies such as: #2 pencils, glue sticks, composition notebooks, spiral notebooks, filler paper, colored pencils, crayons, scissors, rulers, markers and backpacks.  Visit www.educationfoundation.com to view our wish list.
 
WHEN: July 14-August 29
 
WHERE: Set up donation bins at retail stores, place of business, worship, or community/recreation centers
 
CONTACT: Emma Van Degna (813) 740-7651 ext 225, to receive a supply drive kit, which includes signs and materials to use in engaging participants. 

 
Barbara's Birthday
 
During our May 16th, Apple Appeal 'The Private Tour' event, guests were wowed by the state-of-the-art facility; One Buccaneer Place.  Pictured above: Event Co-Chair, Barbara Major and Committee Member, Marilyn McPhail, enjoyed posing during the event with the statues of the 2002 Championship Buccaneers.
Thank You To Our May Supporters 
 
Aerial Innovations, Inc.
Anston-Greenlees, Inc.
Apartment Hunters
Armed Forces Communications Electronic Association
B&B Corporate Holdings
Bank of America Corporation
Marvin E. Barkin  
Rebecca Bast
Bayside Engineering
Bouchard Insurance
Steve Bouton
Brandon FL Lodge #1880 Loyal Order of Moose, Inc.
John B. Brannan 
Bridgetree
Irwin Browarsky
BSCAI c/o Smith Bucklin
Leonard C. Burrello
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Cambium Learning, Inc.
Camden Property Trust
Capital One Auto Finance
Carastro and Associates, Inc.
Caspers Company McDonald's Restaurant
Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association, Inc.
John Darling 
D.R. Horton America's Builder
Tom R. Dorety 
Doug Walker Scholarship Family and Friends
DR's Casanova, Imhoff, & Team 
Dwight Darby & Co.,PA
Eckerd Family Foundation, Inc.
Albert & MaryEllen Elia 
Ferman Motor Car Company, Inc.
Fifth Third Bank
First Book, Inc.
Florida High Tech Corridor
Florida Industrial Plumbing - LLC
Fox 13 WTVT
Gamma Theta Omega Chapter
Greater Bay Construction Company, Inc.
Herff-Jones-Van Williams, Inc.
High Quality Communications, Inc.  
Bill & Deborah Hoffman
Hop 2 It Music and Press, Inc.
Horizon Software International, Inc. 
Earl E. Horton 
I Can Cook 4 You Personal Chef Service
International Academy of Design & Technology  
Island Walk Apartment Homes
Kablelink Electric
Karen Ward Life Coach
Kellogg's
Kenyon & Partners, Inc.
Donald K. Lau
Philip K. Lau 
Jim & Barbara Major
Dushan J. Martinasek
Andrea T. Mason 
Matthews Benefit Group
McQuay International 
Cindy Moorhead 
Mosaic Company
National Louis University 
Brenda Nolte
Northern Trust Bank of Florida, NA
Northwest Tampa Church of Christ
Office Max
Oxford Walk Apartments
Jeff Parker
Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.
Post Apartment Properties
Pulte Homes
Steve Raney
Raymond James and Associates, Inc.  
Rinaldo's Cabinetry Corp.  
Fred and Mary Sue Rothenberg
Saint Leo University
Samantha's Friends, Inc.
Charles F. Sansone
Sentinel Real Estate Corporation
Barry D. Shapiro
James H. and Amy G. Shimberg Foundation
Sprinkle Consulting, Inc.
Suncoast Architectural Studios, Inc.
Sucoast Schools Federal Credit Union
SunTrust Mortgage, Inc.
Roger A. Swinford
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance, Inc.
Tampa Convention Center
Tampa Kiwanis Foundation, Inc.
Tampa Preparartory School
Tampa Theatre
TECO Energy, Inc.
The Florida Aquarium
The Tampa Tribune - News In Education
Therapy Dogs of South FLA, Inc.
Toys "R" Us
U.S. Home Corporation
U.S. Lawns of N. Tampa, Inc.
United Stationers
University of Phoenix
University of Tampa
Barry Verkauf
William A. Gregory Jr. Foundation, Inc.
Christopher Willman
John M. Wing
World Trade Center Tampa Bay Foundation, Inc.
We hope you enjoyed our E-newsletter. Please send us your comments and story ideas.
 
Sincerely,
 
bill sig 

Bill Hoffman
President
Hillsborough Education Foundation