November 2008                                                                                           Vol. 7, Issue 11
In This Issue
Spotlight
Upcoming Events
Foundation In The News
Learn More
Presidents as Principals
Money For Students
Stuff the Bus Supply Drive
Late Breaking News
Thank You To Our October Supporters
Barbara's Birthday
 
Spotlight On
Scholarships 
 
 
Martin Garcia writes:
I am honored to serve this year as chairman of the Scholarship Committee for the Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF). I believe HEF, through its scholarship programs, has created one of our community's greatest philanthropic opportunities. It is an opportunity to change the lives of at-risk students through the gift of a college education. The programs offer mentoring to make certain the scholarship recipients succeed. There is accountability through contracts the students and their parents sign and gift matching opportunities. These programs are consistent with the bedrock principles of the American culture, i.e., (1) education gifts to those at risk students deserving of education opportunities, (2) mentoring to ensure success, (3) achievement accountability for the recipients, and (4) matching moneys to leverage your giving. 
 
I believe the most noble profession is teaching. I also believe the most powerful gift is an education (i.e., give me a fish, and I will eat for a day----teach me to fish, and I will eat for a lifetime). Please consider giving to our scholarship programs so we can create lifetime opportunities for those who deserve and need our help.  
 
For more information about Scholarships, please contact Barbara Dick at (813) 231-1970.
 

Events Apple    

Upcoming Events
~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Shopping for Excellence In Education
December 11, 2008
Deborah Kent's
2120 A S. Dale Mabry Highway
5:00-9:00pm

Deborah Kent's, an upscale women's clothing boutique, will hold its annual Holiday Charity Event on December 11, 2008.  The evening will include door prizes, a silent auction, student art, champagne & hors deurves.  A percentage of the silent auction, sale rack purchases and tickets sold, will benefit the Hillsborough Education Foundation.  For more information, please click here.  Please call Dorilee for tickets at (813) 259-1150.

 
~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
Education Night At The Circus
Saturday, January 10, 2009
7:30pm at the St. Pete Times Forum
 
Through the mystery of magic and the mastery of skill, audiences will be spellbound as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents ZING ZANG ZOOM, a thrill-filled, mind-blowing circus spectacular where family fun is no illusion.  Lower level tickets are $14.75.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Hillsborough Education Foundation.  To purchase tickets contact Kim Brescher at (813) 301-6521.  Deadline to order is Monday, January 5, 2009 at noon. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Teacher of the Year Awards
February  
Hillsborough Education Foundation will be rolling out the red carpet for an event to be remembered as we honor and award the best teachers in Hillsborough County.  Keep your eyes open and cameras ready for the details.  Sponsorships are still available! Please contact Mindi Zink at (813) 231-1937 for more information.
 
 ~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Foundation In The News! 

A special thank you goes out to the TBTF Foundation for highlighting the Foundation in their recent newsletter.  To read the complete article titled 'Making the Dream a Reality Hillsborough Education
Foundation Scholarship Day' 
click here.

 

Learn More

 
 
 
Join Mailing List 
Note From The President
 
Thanksgiving, the traditional time when we give thanks for our blessings, is a uniquely American holiday.  That's fitting since such a big part of the American spirit is our spirit of philanthropy.  Americans really stand atop the world in generosity.  I think the most dramatic example of this was just a couple of years ago.  We had an "imperfect storm" of 3 huge natural disasters in one year - Katrina, the tsunami, and the earthquake in Pakistan.  Americans donated more than $7.37 billion to disaster relief efforts (more than $5.8 billion from individuals alone).  That's amazing - but the more amazing fact is that in addition to the tremendous generosity we showed for that disaster relief, giving to other charities that year increased more than $6 billion on top of the $7.37 billion for those disasters compared to the prior year.
 
This is a dramatic example nationally, but we see that philanthropic spirit locally.  Our community is blessed with many generous individuals and organizations.  None of the programs you associate with the Hillsborough Education Foundation, hear about in the community, or read about would be possible without your support.  In this season especially, we'd like to say "Thank You"!
Presidents as Principals   

Business Leaders were able to have an in depth view of the largest business in our community.... Hillsborough County Public Schools!!
 
On November 7th, more than 150 Business Leaders had the unique opportunity to step into the halls of the Hillsborough County Public Schools as an 'Honorary Principal'!  Participants shadowed their Principal as they made daily rounds, visiting teachers in the classrooms, working through the daily tasks of running a school and interacting with the student body.
 
The morning program concluded with a working 'debriefing'. The debriefing included a delicious lunch served through the Culinary Programs at local high schools. Business leaders and School VIP's shared how imperative their bond is with each other. Strong business partners are a positive resource and influence to a Principal. Business Partnerships can offer ideas and solutions to running an effective school while reinforcing current business practices. Business partnerships and Principals working together have the capability of producing graduates who are well-prepared to join the workforce, and serve as valuable members and leaders of our community.

Barbara's Birthday

Pictured Left: Presidents and Principals debriefing luncheon at Sickles High School.
Money For Students! 
 
Our 2008 Scholarship Program began accepting applications online November 28th. Scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors, Florida Prepaids that qualify 6th-9th graders, and students at Hi-TEC Career and Technical schools. Hillsborough County Public Schools students can apply by clicking here. Application deadline: January 20, 2009.  Please use the button on the bottom of this Enewsletter to forward this email and spread the word!
Stuff The Bus Supply Drive
 
January 5 - February 11.
 
Barbara's BirthdayAfter the holidays, students and teachers are ready for the second half of the school year... but will they have the supplies?  Help us make sure.  Please, sign up now to 'Stuff the Bus" with supplies.  Contact Laura Grucza at (813) 740-7651 x 225 to get a "Stuff the Bus" supply list.
Late Breaking News!
 
Barbara's Birthday
 
We are thrilled to report that Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union and their Suncoast for Kids Foundation approved a grant to the Hillsborough Education Foundation for $233,500! This will support a number of initiatives of the Hillsborough County Public Schools district and the Foundation including National Board Teacher Certification, Teaching Tools, Suncoast Scholars, as well as various school projects. A significant amount of this contribution will allow us to offer Project SUCCESS at D. W. Waters Career Center - making this the 3rd career center to have this whole school level of support.
 
We are thankful for Suncoast's generosity which shows they recognize the value of these programs and continues their tradition of tremendous support. We appreciate them stepping up in such a huge way!!
 
Thank You To Our October Supporters 
 
AIG Retirement Financial Advisors, Inc.
American Wood Frame, Inc.
AVID
Barbara Forgione Salon
Bayshore Technologies, Inc.
Bright House Networks
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating
Career Education Corporation
Citi Foundation
Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Inc.
Comprehensive Physician Services, Inc.
Gwynn Davey
MaryEllen Elia
Enviro-Tech Pest Control, Inc.
First Community Bank of America
Fowler White Boggs & Banker P.A.  
Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Holmes Hepner & Associates Architects, Inc.
Horus Construction Services, Inc.
Howard & Associates Architects, P.A.
HSBC Mortgage Services
IBM
Ident-A-Kid Services
Independent Electrical Contractors Association, South Florida Chapter, Inc.  
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Kohl's Department Stores, Inc.
KPI Engineering, Inc.
Lazydays Partners Foundation, Inc.
New York Life Insurance Company
Nova Southeastern University's Fischler School of Education and Human Services
Office Product Solutions, LLC
PAR Development Partners, Inc.
Patel Foundation for Global Understanding
PBS&J
Pepin Distributing Company
Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.
Pinnacle Promotion Group, Inc.
Pollo Tropical
Seashellbooks.com, Incorporated
St. Petersburg Times
State Farm Foundation
Stonehill Science Fiction Association
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Convention Center
The James Law Group
The Martin Garcia Family Foundation
The Mosaic Company
The Tampa Tribune
TECO Energy, Inc.
Time Customer Service, Inc.
USF-Florida Mental Health Institute
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
Wilder Architecture, Inc.
Zink Family Limited Partnership
"From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life". - Arthur Ashe.
 
Sincerely,
 
bill sig 

Bill Hoffman
President
Hillsborough Education Foundation