Last weeks program was provided by Rotarian Tim Shuff. Tim’s guest speaker was Laura Gruzca, Resource Development Officer for the Hillsborough Education Foundation.The Mission of the Hillsborough Education Foundation is to engage business and community partners in the support of Hillsborough County Public Schools and the academic achievement of all its students. The Vision is that Hillsborough County will be recognized for its excellent public schools and as a community committed to having every one of its students succeed. HEF is a coalition of business and community leaders. As an independent 501(c)(3), the Hillsborough Education Foundation seeks to improve the academic success and wellbeing of each Hillsborough County Public School student with a particular emphasis on supporting students at risk of not graduating. In collaboration with the School District, concerned individuals and community partners, HEF provides programs and educational enhancement services that have been shown to improve the chances of student academic success and wellbeing. In the summer of 1987,Harold Clark, the Assistant-Superintendent of Supportive Services for the Hillsborough County Public School District, met with Dr. Raymond Shelton the District Superintendent, to discuss the need to provide additional support for students and teachers in the School District, beyond the ability of the normal tax revenues. Several states including California, Pennsylvania and other large school districts in northeastern states had already established Education Foundations to partner with the local community and lead fund raising efforts to support public education. This meeting resulted in the creation of the first Board of Directors to create the “Hillsborough Educational Partnership Foundation”. The Foundation incorporated in March, 1988 with 501(c) (3) status obtained in 1988. Carteret Savings Bank gave the Foundation its first donation of $100 followed by a donation of $10,000 from Cigna Health Plan. Since that initial gift, the Foundation has raised more than $93 million to support students and teachers in Hillsborough County. In 1993, the name was changed to the Hillsborough Education Foundation.Time and attention can make all the difference in a student’s success. It’s been proven time and time again that mentoring works. Mentors become a much-needed source of motivation and accountability students might be lacking at home, and help them reach what may seem to be a distant, unfamiliar goal in their family history – achieving a college education. HEF mentors are paired with students, giving students someone to rely on who has the commitment to help them reach their full potential. Mentors make a positive impact on students’ lives, and ultimately upon our community as a whole. Mentors meet one-on-one with their scholar for 1 hour per week at the Scholar’s school during school hours (usually between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.) until the end of the school year. Most mentors choose to meet with their students during lunch time, but you can choose almost any point in the day that’s convenient for you and the Scholar, so long as it’s during school hours and on school property. If you are interested in helping out with this organization as a mentor, or financially, check out their website at: www.educationfoundation.com -submitted by Mike Arndt
Club News
Plant City Christmas Parade
- Rotary Hot Dog Cookout
The Plant City Christmas Parade is this Friday Dec. 7th. Our club will be preparing hot dogs and serving hot dogs, chips and sodas to the participants at the end of the parade. We will meet at 5:30 at 605 E, Reynolds street (look for the tent in the vacant lot on the south side or Reynolds street near the courthouse parking lot. Join our club as we put Service Above Self and give back to our community. A little bit if work and lots of Rotary fun and socializing. See you there! .
The Rotary Christmas Party is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 11th at the 1916 Pub. Cocktails at 6:30 and Dinner at 7 pm. Bring an unwrapped Christmas gift for 1 boy and 1 girl. Plan now to attend! Sign up on Monday at the meeting or e-mail President Jodi.
Kayla Drawdy is the new Program Chair! Please notify Kayla of you upcoming speakers at 763-1821 or kayla@htitle.com
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From Our Members
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You can start the holiday season on a charitable note by donating on Giving Tuesday, 27 November.Why should Rotary be your charity of choice? Because our 1.2 million members see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our
