June 2009                                                                                                     Vol. 8, Issue 6
In This Issue
Spotlight On: TBTF Foundation
Upcoming Events
Learn More
Scholarships open doors and bring the community together
Mike Poland will take the lead through 2011
Inspiring a passion for reading
Thank You To Our May Supporters
Blue present
Blue present
 
The Hillsborough Education Foundation is the proud recipient of Charity Navigator's highest rating, 4 stars!
 

Blue present  

Spotlight On:
Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) Foundation 

 

Eight years ago a small group of members at TBTF wanted to do something to help the underserved youth in our community become productive and responsible citizens.  Together these members decided to make a small donation together.   It was at this time that the TBTF Foundation was born and today we have grown into a large group of passionate individuals who are concerned for our at-risk youth and the impact they will have on the business world and our community in the coming years. 
 
The TBTF Foundation believes in giving back to the community and offering hope and a helping hand.  We are certain making these positive steps will make a measurable difference in the underserved youth in our community.  Our mission is simple; to encourage and equip 'at-risk' youth in the Tampa Bay area to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
 
Today the TBTF Foundation reaches thousands of children daily through our partnerships and programs.  To date the TBTF Foundation has awarded over thirty scholarships to students who are pursing education and careers in STEM. We are committed to grow and invest in our programs allowing us to continue to fulfill our mission. 

Events Apple    

Upcoming Events
~~~~~~~~~~~ 
New Teacher Orientation
July 28-30, 2009
Gaither High School
 
More than 1,000 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
Cris Vatalaro at
(813) 231-1953.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009
August 18, 2009 - 7:00pm
St. Pete Times Forum 
 
See one of the world's biggest bands in true rock 'n' roll fashion!  Purchase tickets in the Channelside Club for $110 with the exclusive educational discount (regularly $150).  Offer comes with themed buffet and beverages, deadline to order is August 14.  Click here for the order form and more information.

Learn More

 
 
 
Hillsborough Education Foundation In The News!
 
 
 
Join Mailing List 
Note From The President
 
Every two years, in conjunction with the election of new officers (see the article below), we go through an in-depth and inclusive planning process to determine the areas for the Foundation to concentrate on.  A result of this year's process was a redefinition of our 5 Core Program Areas (click the following links for an in-depth explanation of each):
 
1.      Career & Technical Education 
2.      Excellence in Education (recognition programs)
3.      Scholarships
4.      School Enrichment
 
Part of the planning process also included the review and approval of our budget for the next fiscal year (beginning July 1).  While total cash support is actually up year to date compared to last year, some programs have had reduced support.  Our growth has come from new programs (and the new donors those programs brought in).  In order to keep our services at the level we feel is necessary, our financial plan reflects the cost cutting measures which the Foundation has undertaken over the last 15 months.
 
We feel our role as stewards of the resources the community invests in public education is a critical one.  We continue to work on reducing administrative costs so more funds are available for the programs.  We're proud that Charity Navigator has given us their highest rating, but we're more proud of the fact that 92% of every dollar goes directly to our programs!
Scholarships open doors and bring the community together
 
Jasmine is valedictorian of her graduating class, a National Achievement Finalist, and the first in her family to be going to college.  This fall she will begin pursuing a major in pre-medicine at the University of Florida, thanks to the Wilson H. & Alvina Ayers Memorial Scholarship.  On Saturday, May 30, 2009 Jasmine was honored along with a sizeable group from the approximately 300 students who received scholarships in this year's reward cycle.  They each had the chance to meet the donors who made their scholarships possible and thank them personally for their generosity.  Eighty different scholarships were offered this year, and approximately $650,000 was awarded to Hillsborough County's students.
 
The Foundation would like to extend a special thank you to all scholarship donors for your generosity and faith in the futures of our youth.
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graduating high school senior Corinne Speight (green) meets representatives from the Tampa Rough Riders, who funded her scholarship to attend college.
Mike Poland will take the lead through 2011 
  
The Foundation's Board of Directors elected the proposed slate of officers at the Annual Meeting, held Wednesday, June 3, 2009.  The newly-elected members will serve in their roles for a two-year term, ending in the summer of 2011.
 
Former Vice Chair, Mike C. Poland, will serve as the new Chair.  He began his work on the Board in 2001 and will replace outgoing Chair George E. Seegers, who served in the role since 2007.  Christine Smith will step in as the new Vice Chair.  R. Duane Johnson returns for another term as Secretary, as does John Brannan for another term as Treasurer.  Members at-large, as selected by the incoming Chair, are: Luis Garcia, Gordon Gillette, and Kevin H. Sutton.
 
The Foundation believes the strength of the Board has been a key ingredient for the past 20 years and looks forward to continuing to serve the county's students, teachers, and schools with this new leadership.
Inspiring a passion for reading 
 
When Dashawn started the 2008-2009 school year at MOSI Partnership Elementary he was an emotionally troubled third grader who could not read at his grade level.  He would not read in class and refused to put any effort into his schoolwork.  This caused him to have a poor self-image and low self-esteem.  When Dashawn became a part of the Hillsborough Reads tutoring program, however, all of that changed.
 
He is now an enthusiastic reader, and one of the best students in his class.  His FCAT scores improved significantly this year, and he has learned to add great expression to his reading.  This alone has helped him gain a deeper understanding of what he reads.  Dashawn's work with his tutor was instrumental in his improvements.  He thrived in that setting and loved every moment of it.  Once he mastered his own reading, he was determined to help his fellow students as well.  Thanks to Dashawn, one of his Spanish classmates is now reading in English as well.
 
Come August, Dashawn will be a confident and dedicated...fourth grader.  For more information on the Hillsborough Reads program, click here.
 
 
 
Dashawn reads to guests at the Foundation's 2009 School Enrichment Reception.  This third grader was so excited about reading, he would read to anyone who was willing to listen.
Thank You To Our May Supporters 
 
Afishionado
Jean E. Amuso
Ana Banana Fishing Company, Inc.
Rob and Linda Anston
Apartment Hunters of Tampa
Argosy University Tampa Campus
AXA Advisors, LLC
The Bank of Tampa
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
The Batchelor Foundation, Inc.
Beef 'O' Brady's Busch & Himes
Channelside Bennigan's
Board of County Commissioners
John and Kimberly Brannan
Bank of America of Fort Lauderdale
Bissett, McGrath Properties, Inc.
Bryn-Alan Prestige
Bullets Baseball, Inc.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Cason Portrait Studio
Caspers Company McDonald's Restaurants
Betty Castor
Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association Inc.
Children's Board Of Hillsborough County
City of Tampa - Water Dept.
Collier Enterprise II, LLC
Corinthian Colleges, Inc.
Cox Fire Protection Inc.
D.R. Horton, Inc.
Joan Dale
Jeff Davis
Michele J. Delsordo
Thomas J. Dessy
Tom and Glenda Dorety
Doug Walker Scholarship Fund
Duane Eatherly
Ehrlich Animal Hospital
Albert and MaryEllen Elia
Enviro-Tech, Inc.
Fantasy Theatre Factory, Inc.
Chuck Fesler
Florida Literacy Coalition, Inc.
Florida Suncoast Puppet Guild
Fowler White Boggs P.A.
FPL Group
Franzini Family
Robert M. Fulton
Keith and Stephanie Gibson
Gordon and Paula Gillette
Shannon and Lisa Glor
Jim and Adelle Harris
Paul D. Hay
Hadley & Helen Bryant Hill
Hill Ward Henderson, PA
Hillsborough Association For Women Layers
Hillsborough County Assoc of Educational Office Professionals
Hillsborough Solid Waste Management Dept.
Todd E. Hoch
Jeri Hoover
Hop 2 It Music and Press Inc.
Arlin and Melissa Horsley
HSBC
IBM
Independent Glass & Mirror, Inc.
Italian American Golf Assoc., Inc.
James H. and Amy G. Shimberg Foundation
Mike Jensen
Duane and Laurie Johnson
James and Bernita Jones
Carrie Kalman
Robert Kokol
L&W Commercial Property Management
Carmine J. LaCognata
Lakeshore Learning Materials
Linda Lewis
Mainsail
Jim and Barbara Major
Jack and Lorrie Maniscalco
Kevin and Cathy Massena
MC Squared Inc.
Doug and Heidi McCree
Morganti Group, Inc.
Mosaic
Michael Muldoon
MuniMae
National Academy Foundation
National Louis University
Corey and April Neil
Nova Southeastern University
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Bowl Tampa Bay
Oxford Walk Apartments
Palmer Business Services
Pepsi Bottling Group
Pinnacle Promotion Group, Inc.
Planet Beach Contempo Spa
Primus Solutions, Inc.
Mary Priolo
Progressive Insurance, Riverview
Tim and Gwen Quinn
Raymond James and Associates, Inc.
Reel Therapy Guide Services, Inc.
Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
Jeff and Amy Rettig
John Rose
Craig E. Rothburd
Jim Savaglio
Mary Seltzer
Sentinel Real Estate Corporation
SERVE, Inc.
Amy G. Shimberg
Shriner's Children's Hospital
Shula's America's Steak House
Stephen Sines
Millie Smith
Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union's Suncoast for Kids Foundation
St. Petersburg Times
Joel and Janet Stephens
Sun Metals Systems, Inc.
Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union
Kevin and Cindy Sutton
Take Stock in Children
Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation, Inc.
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Convention Center
Tampa Knights Rod & Custom Club
The Tampa Tribune
Mark T. Tate
Thomas Financial Group of Clearwater
Thomas Financial Group of Tampa
Thomas Tilchin
Mark and Mary Tlachac
Joseph and Teresa Trumbach
University Alliance/University of Scranton
The University of Tampa
Vein Center of Tampa Bay
Alton and Barbara Jo Ward
Michael Wells
Casey Weldon
Jason Woods
WRBQ-FM/Mason Dixon
Zink Family Limited Partnership
A good idea implemented today is better than a perfect idea implemented tomorrow. - Gen. George S. Patton 
 
Sincerely, 
 
bill sig 

Bill Hoffman
President
Hillsborough Education Foundation