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Community PARtners

One of PAR’s core values is to give back to the community, and we have a dedicated staff of employees who provide financial support and volunteer their time and talents to a variety of causes around the Tampa Bay region.

"PAR donates a portion of our company profits to those in need and encourages our staff to donate their time and/or other resources for the purpose of helping others."

Cathy Smith
Vice President Emeritus
Community Relations

November 2023

November: This November, many members of the PAR family joined together to support the Boxes of Hope food drive through Metropolitan Ministries. We collected 1,183 pounds of food and 54 Publix gift cards. Metropolitan Ministries provides these boxes to families in need so they can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

 

October 2023

October 18th: A group from PAR joined The Spring of Tampa Bay’s 33rd Annual Mabel H. Bexley Gift of Peace Luncheon. Creating a safer community for victims of abuse, The Spring educated event attendees on domestic violence and the heroic impact of their team. Attendees also heard the transformative testimonies of survivors this organization has helped. With the opportunity to contribute, our PAR group learned about all the important actions The Spring of Tampa Bay is taking to combat domestic violence.

 


October 18: A big thank you to all PAR employee who volunteered to help Feeding Tampa Bay’s Mega-Pantry, supplying about 350 families with the groceries they need! We feel blessed to be able to support a great organization that gives back to our community.

 

September 2023

From September 12–15, PAR employees gathered for a week of camaraderie, bonding, and friendly competition all for the collective effort of supporting United Way Suncoast and its partner agencies. For more than 20 years PAR has had the honor of participating in this week-long campaign. With 100% staff participation, together this year we raised $120,949 to benefit those in need. This year, United Way staff visiting PAR spoke to us about Academy Prep. Academy Prep is a wonderful organization in our Tampa Bay community, transforming the lives of underserved middle school students by being a model of foundational and academic excellence in preparation for high school, post-secondary and career success.

 

July 2023

JULY 26: The amazing volunteers from PAR were back at it—loading more than 300 cars with healthy food during our July visit to help out at the Feeding Tampa Bay Mega-Pantry! We feel so lucky to be able to give back in this way while seeing firsthand the joy it brings to others.

 

June 2023

JUNE 8: PAR employees and their families raised money for the American Heart Association (AHA) during our annual Bowling for Hearts event. The AHA focuses on helping people lead healthier lives and addressing the risks of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The AHA is the nation’s leader in providing lifesaving CPR education and funds research in a variety of areas focused on cardiovascular health. PAR was proud to raise funds again this year for the AHA.

 

April 2023

APRIL 14: Eight members of the PAR staff participated in the Camp Circle of Love send-off event for Lifepath Hospice. Each of the children and teens being sent to camp have lost a loved one. The 70 campers returned on Sunday after a weekend filled with laughter, games, and new friendships.

 


APRIL: Volunteers from PAR gathered donations to benefit mandatory reporter training through Mary Lee’s House. Mary Lee’s House is Hillsborough County’s first and only Child Advocacy and Protection Center. Mandatory reporter training is an important way that Mary Lee's House helps advocate to prevent child abuse. The donations provided during the training are meant to be small tokens of appreciation for the critical role mandatory reporters play in keeping our community's children safe.


APRIL 18: Each year, volunteers from PAR participate in United Way’s Week of Caring. Volunteers donated their entire day to helping a local family’s housing dreams come true. PAR staff helped Habitat for Humanity to build a home in one of its new neighborhoods in the Tampa area. Eventually this community of 25 homes will provide many families with high-quality, safe, and affordable housing. The neighborhood will eventually have more than 60 kids who will be able to grow up and play together.


APRIL 26: Volunteers from PAR loaded 325 cars for the Feeding Tampa Bay Mega-Pantry. Each family was given fresh vegetables, melons, Snapple and Celsius drinks, broth, bread, some sweet treats, and more. By providing this service to the community, we know that the individuals who visit the Mega-Pantry do not have to worry about how to feed their families over the next week. It is truly incredible and rewarding to make such a difference in our community.

February 2023

FEBRUARY 11: We are so proud of the team from PAR that participated in Bark in the Park 2023! PAR staff broke our fundraising record this year—raising $12,325 to benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Although we did not bring home the Top Dog honor this year, we can hardly be disappointed, as the Humane Society was able to raise more than $180,000 for the animals they care for.

 


FEBRUARY 15: A team from PAR participated in picking up litter as part of our regular Adopt-A-Road clean up. We were able to collect trash and recyclables, cleaning up the area that surrounds the PAR campus.

January 2023

JANUARY 19: Once again, we partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay to support their Mega-Pantry program. Held several times per week in various locations around Tampa, the Mega-Pantry distributes fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, dry goods, and more in a drive-through-style event to those in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. The beautiful weather provided an ideal backdrop as PAR staff members sorted food and loaded hundreds of cars with enough food to feed each family for a week.

 

Feeding Tampa Bay is dedicated to eradicating hunger in the Tampa Bay region by 2025. For more information, visit feedingtampabay.org.

 

December 2022

DECEMBER 5: Each year, our generous staff work with many agencies throughout Tampa to make the holidays brighter for those in our community. This year, PAR staff partnered with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Redland’s Christian Migrant Association, the Heart Gallery of Tampa, and the Children’s Cancer Center to bring holiday spirit, food, gift cards, and gifts to those in need. Here are just some of the gifts that were delivered on behalf of our staff this year.

 

November 2022

NOVEMBER 8: PAR staff supported the American Heart Association (AHA) with a neighborhood walk to raise funds to help people fight heart disease and stroke. Learn more about the work the AHA is doing to save lives.

 

NOVEMBER 17: PAR staff (left) delivered 70 Boxes of Hope to Metropolitan Ministries to support their annual holiday food drive. This was the largest donation that PAR has ever gathered for this event and one of the largest single donations the organization has ever received—approximately 2,500 pounds of food! Metropolitan Ministries provides the boxes to families in need so they can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. Learn more about Metropolitan Ministries and the work they do in the Tampa area.

October 2022

OCTOBER 8: A group from PAR joined a sold-out crowd of animal lovers for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s annual gala fundraiser, Tuxes and Tails. This black-tie event raised hundreds of thousands of dollars while finding homes for adoptable dogs and cats from the shelter. Learn more.


OCTOBER 23: A team from PAR participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Raymond James Stadium. The walk benefits the Alzheimer's Association, the largest voluntary health organization benefitting Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. More than 45 employees participated, raising $8,300.

September 2022

SEPTEMBER 16: PAR is proud of our ongoing support of United Way Suncoast. For more than 20 years, PAR staff have taken part in an annual fundraising campaign. This year, we were thrilled to have 100% staff participation and exceed our fundraising goal—raising $113,278 in staff contributions to benefit those in need.

Want to learn more about how you can help United Way where you live? Visit unitedway.org

August 2022

AUGUST 12: PAR CEO Kristin Greco participated in the 2022 CEO Soak to raise money for the ALS Association Florida Chapter. The event, which took place at ZooTampa, raised more than $50,000 to help raise awareness and funds to support those living with and impacted by ALS. Learn more about the ALS Association

June 2022

Each Wednesday, volunteers from PAR take part in delivering nourishing meals to homebound people through our Meals on Wheels of Tampa route. Meals on Wheels of Tampa serves more than 800 individuals, providing them with so much more than just hot food—deliveries also provide human connection and a way to live independently. Learn more about how you can get involved. 

April 2022

APRIL 7: PAR staff were excited to again participate in United Way Suncoast’s annual Week of Caring. This year, we worked with MacDonald Training Center, an organization that supports people with disabilities via training, vocational opportunities, life enrichment opportunities, and residential help.

To support this organization, staff members participated in MacDonald Training Center’s Bead Recycling Program. We sorted donated Gasparilla beads—about 7,000 in all!—to make new bundles that will be resold to pirates participating in next year’s parade—with all proceeds going to the center.

Learn more about MacDonald Training Center and the comprehensive services it provides to people with disabilities at macdonaldcenter.org.

February 2022

FEBRUARY 12: After nearly two years of virtual events, Bark in the Park, an annual fundraiser for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, was held in person this year. One of PAR’s most popular staff events, it combines our mission of giving back with our love of animals.   

Held Saturday, February 12, in downtown Tampa, the event came down to the wire, with the PARty Animals edging into first place with just minutes to go until the fundraising deadline.  

Neighborhood walks coupled with a robust fundraising campaign led to an all-time pack high of more than $11,000. 

The event raised nearly $160,00 overall, surpassing this year’s HSTB goal and providing much-needed funds that will be used to help house, heal, and feed hundreds of animals in the Tampa Bay area.  

January 2022

JANUARY 19: Once again, we partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay to support their Mega-Pantry program. Held several times per week in various locations around Tampa, the Mega-Pantry distributes fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, dry goods, and more in a drive-through-style event to those in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. The beautiful weather provided an ideal backdrop as PAR staff members sorted food and loaded hundreds of cars with enough food to feed each family for a week.

Feeding Tampa Bay is dedicated to eradicating hunger in the Tampa Bay region by 2025. For more information, visit Feeding Tampa Bay.

December 2021

DECEMBER 2021: Every year, PAR works with the Pace Center for Girls to hold a holiday card decorating contest. This year, 23 girls participated in the contest, each submitting a design for the front of the card based on the theme: It’s the most wonderful time of the year to be thankful!

The student who received the most votes had her artwork reproduced on the front of PAR’s holiday card. Second- and third-place winners got shout-outs on the back. Plus, the winners and all participants received cash prizes!

Learn more about the Pace Center for Girls and how it advocates for girls in need throughout Florida and Georgia.

November 2021

NOVEMBER 19: Staff from PAR took part in a neighborhood walk to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA funds scientific advancements to help people fight cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, congenital heart disease, and stroke. The PAR team was able to raise $7,238 to support the AHA’s important work.


NOVEMBER 19: A group from PAR brought 987 pounds of food to support Metropolitan Ministries' Boxes of Hope program. Metropolitan Ministries is preparing to serve 42,000 families this holiday season. The organization is celebrating its 50th year helping the Tampa community. Learn more or donate to Metropolitan Ministries.

October 2021

OCTOBER 23: A group from PAR joined more than 1,000 other animal lovers at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s annual gala fundraiser, Tuxes and Tails, on Saturday, October 23. The sold-out, black-tie event featured live and silent auctions, entertainment, and of course adoptable dogs and cats from the shelter. This year, a record $750,000 was raised—and 40 dogs and cats found their forever homes! Learn more at humanesocietytampa.org.


OCTOBER 20: PAR staff members were proud to attend The Spring of Tampa Bay’s 31st Annual Mabel H. Bexley Gift of Peace Lunch (left). Attendees learned how important it is to talk to our children about respectful and healthy relationship boundaries, why strangulation is the biggest predictor of homicide in domestic violence situations, and the support and safety individuals can offer by just listening to someone in need.

The Spring offers a 24-hour crisis line, shelter, schooling for children, legal services, and much more to survivors of domestic abuse. For more information, visit thespring.org.


OCTOBER 20: For the third time this year, we partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay to support their Mega-Pantry program. Held ten times per week in various locations around Tampa, the Mega-Pantry allows individuals who are experiencing food insecurity to pick up fresh vegetables, dairy products, bread, dry goods, and more in a drive-through-style event. PAR staff members loaded cars, sorted food, and directed traffic, serving more than 500 families in one afternoon.

Feeding Tampa Bay is dedicated to eradicating hunger in the Tampa Bay region by 2025. For more information, visit feedingtampabay.org.

September 2021

SEPTEMBER 17: PAR is proud of our ongoing support of United Way. For more than 20 years, PAR staff have taken part in an annual fundraising campaign. During this year’s fundraising drive, we spent time learning more about the impact United Way has on our community as well as taking part in team challenges and inter-departmental games.

PAR is so proud that we had 100% staff participation and exceeded our fundraising goal—raising $106,204 to benefit those in need in our community.

March 2021

MARCH 28:  Bark in the Park, an annual fundraiser for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, is one of PAR’s most popular staff events. It brings together our mission of giving back with our love of animals. In 2020, it was our final in-person group event before the pandemic and quarantine.

The event was virtual this year due to COVID concerns, but that didn’t stop the PARty Animals from rolling up their sleeves and raising money for Tampa’s homeless, hungry, and helpless animals.

Neighborhood walks coupled with a robust fundraising campaign led to an all-time high of more than $11,000 in donations. The HSTB raised more than $125,000 overall, which will help house, heal, and feed more than 500 animals. Learn more about the event and HSTB at humanesocietytampa.org.

December 2020

DECEMBER 25: Each year, we look forward to our Angel Tree program to help make the holidays brighter for those in need in our community. This year, we helped more than 100 individuals and families through donations of food, toys, and gift cards to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA), Children's Cancer Center, and the Heart Gallery of Tampa.

November 2020

NOVEMBER 4: PAR was proud to partner with the Pace Center for Girls for our annual holiday card contest—which we turned into a gratitude card contest for 2020! A huge thank you to the talented students at Pace for their incredible designs.

October 2020

OCTOBER 9: United Way Suncoast's Day of Caring event this year was to build hygiene kits to benefit homeless members of our community. PAR staff was excited to help by buying supplies and assembling packages. The kits will be distributed to partner agencies most in need of these supplies.


OCTOBER 22: Each year, a team from PAR walks to benefit the Alzheimer's Foundation, the largest voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support, and research. Though we could not be together, we walked individually, with 36 employees raising a total of $6,305.

September 2020

SEPTEMBER 22: Even though we couldn’t be together, 37 staffers from PAR walked 1.54 miles in our respective neighborhoods today in recognition of the 1 in 54 children on the autism spectrum. Through our team’s effort, we were able to raise $7,119.30 for Autism Speaks.

July 2020

PAR participated in a Christmas in July online fundraising drive for Metropolitan Ministries. Metropolitan Ministries provides food, shelter, and assistance to those in need in the Hillsborough County, Florida area. Since the beginning of the pandemic, they have seen a 75% increase in the number of people requesting assistance—the majority of those being first-time recipients. During PAR’s online drive, we were able to raise $3,600 to help those in need in our community.

April 2020

APRIL 17: From our homes all across the country, PAR staff and their families participated in a virtual walk to raise money for JDRF. JDRF (also known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) is the global leader in funding research for type one diabetes. Fifty-five staff members walked, joined by 31 of our children, and as a team contributed $10,485 to juvenile diabetes research.

May 2020

MAY 19: PAR employees recently took part in a virtual walk to benefit Mary Lee’s House. Mary Lee’s House is a child advocacy center committed to protecting, respecting, and healing children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Forty-six PAR employees and their families raised more than $4,200 for this local organization. In addition, Melissa Messer, PAR’s director of product development, committed to running 100 miles in May to raise additional funds for this worthy organization. Learn more about Mary Lee’s House.

February 2020

FEBRUARY 8: The PARty Animals were so proud to bring the Top Dog trophy back home to the office after being the #1 fundraising team at this year’s Bark in the Park event. We raised more than $9,000 for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and had a great time walking with our families—both human and canine! This event raised more than $150,000 for four-legged friends in our community.

December 2019

DECEMBER 23: Each year, we try to make the holidays a little brighter for those in need in our community through our Angel Tree program. This year, we provided $725 in grocery gift cards to help feed families during the holidays through the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. We delivered gifts for 82 children to the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA).The families of three children battling cancer will receive gifts and groceries through our donation to the Children's Cancer Center and 40 foster children will receive gifts or gift cards through our donations to the Heart Gallery of Tampa. Next year’s goal: Double our impact!

November 2019

NOVEMBER 22: A group from PAR dropped off 44 Boxes of Hope at Metropolitan Ministries. The 1,221 pounds of food will be distributed to needy families in the community to help make their Thanksgiving a bit brighter


NOVEMBER 19: Each year, PAR sponsors a holiday card contest at the Pace Center for Girls. The girls create holiday cards and one design is chosen to be printed on PAR’s corporate holiday card. On November 19, we brought muffins and juice and presented the top 3 vote-getters with their prizes. More than 30 girls participated; each received a small prize and a certificate.


NOVEMBER 15: A team from PAR spent part of their day volunteering at Trinity Café. Trinity Café is a nonprofit restaurant for the homeless and hungry. Volunteers greet, seat, and serve a three-course meal with compassion, dignity, and respect.


NOVEMBER 3: A team from PAR and InVista participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. We raised more than $1,900 for the American Cancer Society.

October 2019

OCTOBER 11: A team of PAR employees took part in United Way Suncoast Day of Caring. They restocked shelves, straightened items, and sorted donated school supplies at the Hillsborough Education Foundation’s Teaching Tools Resource Center. It was a great way to help our local community!

September 2019

SEPTEMBER 13: Each year, PAR employees take part in a week-long United Way fundraising campaign. For more than 25 years, 100% of PAR staff members have contributed during our annual drive. This year, we exceeded our fundraising goal, resulting in more than $100,408.34 in employee contributions to help United Way Suncoast and their partner agencies! We are proud to say that through our involvement with United Way, we will help make a difference in the lives of so many people in the Tampa Bay area.

June 2019

JUNE 19: PAR was proud to sponsor our annual Bowling for Hearts event to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA helps people lead healthier lives, free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. With our largest turnout ever, PAR employees and families bowled, played games, and ate pizza and snacks all while enjoying one another’s company. We were thrilled to raise $5,585 to support this wonderful organization in their important and worthwhile mission.

April 2019

APRIL 27: PAR staff members took part in the 2019 Autism Speaks Tampa Bay Walk. Our team contributed well over our $3,000 goal for this year. The annual fundraiser raised nearly $300,000 toward education and research, as well as support and advocacy for those affected by autism. Visit Autism Speaks to learn more.

March 2019

MARCH 23: The PARty Animals met in downtown Tampa in support of Bark in the Park, an annual fundraiser for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The PAR pack was this year’s second-highest fundraising team, with donations totaling nearly $8,000. Overall, nearly 100 teams and 450 participants helped raise nearly $150,000, which will be used to house, heal, and help rehome thousands of animals in the Tampa Bay area.


MARCH 22: A group of PAR staff members helped serve lunch at Trinity Cafe today. Trinity Cafe serves more than 1.5 million meals to the hungry in Tampa each year. Meals are prepared by a chef and served in a restaurant-like atmosphere by an army of dedicated volunteers.


MARCH 22: PAR staff members helped grieving children during the Camp Circle of Love Send-Off, sponsored by LifePath Hospice Women of Philanthropy. This event allows children who have recently lost a loved one to participate in fun activities and share refreshments with their families prior to a weekend camp experience of hope, healing, and love.

February 2019

FEBRUARY 21: A group of PAR employees joined together to attend the Cup of Compassion breakfast to support the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. The Crisis Center provides counseling, case management, psychological assessment, and more to individuals and families dealing with trauma, abuse, domestic violence, medical and psychological emergencies, and other crises.

January 2019

JANUARY 17: PAR founders Bob and Cathy Smith were two of the honorees when United Way Suncoast recognized several local individuals who have made significant contributions to the organization, inducting these individuals into a United Way Roundtable that has just 500 members worldwide.

The Smiths began their relationship with the United Way in 1977 and became members of the Tocqueville Society in 1998. Bob and Cathy’s spirit of generosity and philanthropy has not stopped with their personal devotion to the United Way, though. They have encouraged PAR staff to actively participate in United Way activities in the area, donating both time and resources. In fact, PAR has had 100% employee participation in our annual United Way drive for more than 20 years!

Congratulations, Bob and Cathy! This is an amazing testament to your dedication to United Way for more than 40 years! Watch the video that was shown at the ceremony.

December 2018

Thanks to our generous staff, we were able to make the holidays brighter by working with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, the Heart Gallery of Tampa, and the Redlands Christian Migrant Association to provide gift cards, presents, and snacks to make the holidays brighter for the people they serve.


A group of PAR staff members volunteered at Trinity Café in December. Trinity Cafe is a nonprofit restaurant for the homeless and hungry. Volunteers greet, seat, and serve a three-course meal with compassion, dignity, and respect.

November 2018

NOVEMBER 19: PAR staffers met with students at the Hillsborough County PACE Center for Girls to announce winners of PAR’s annual Holiday Card Contest. Each year, girls from PACE are invited to create an original, hand-drawn design, and PAR employees vote for their favorites. The top design is printed and used by PAR as its annual holiday card.

PACE is a holistic, strength-based, asset-building program for at-risk girls ages 11-17 years. It is one of many organizations in the Tampa Bay area supported by PAR. For more information, visit www.pacecenter.org.


NOVEMBER 16: This morning, PAR staff donated more than 1,000 pounds of food through the Boxes of Hope program at Metropolitan Ministries. The Boxes of Hope program provides Thanksgiving meals for families in need in the Tampa Bay area.


NOVEMBER 11: A team of PAR runners spent Veteran’s Day honoring the 22 veterans and one active duty military member who take their own life each day. The noncompetitive 5k race honored Sergeant Eric Landon, with proceeds being donated to Stop Soldier Suicide, an organization of veterans dedicated to preventing active duty military and veteran suicides.


NOVEMBER 3: A group of PAR staff members took part in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The event was held at the Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa. Those who couldn’t make it on Saturday took part in a walk through the PAR neighborhood later in the week to show their support. Our team raised more than $4,500 to help the Alzheimer’s Association.

October 2018

OCTOBER 12: Eleven PAR employees participated in United Way Suncoast’s Day of Caring, where thousands of people volunteer for worthy organizations across the Tampa Bay area. PAR selected Metropolitan Ministries as their organization this year, and we cleaned and organized their supply warehouse while also sorting toys, packing boxes, and having fun! Metropolitan Ministries’ mission is caring for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless through services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity, and instill self-sufficiency.


OCTOBER 13: A group of PAR staffers attended Tuxes & Tails at the Tampa Convention Center. The “Nordic Nights”-themed evening featured more than 1,000 guests along with 70 adoptable dogs and cats—48 of whom were adopted that evening—as well as silent and live auctions and an energetic runway show. The event raised more than $530,000 for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

September 2018

SEPTEMBER 12: Each year, PAR employees take part in a week-long United Way fundraising campaign. For more than 20 years, 100% of PAR staff members have contributed during our annual drive. This year was no different! We exceeded our fundraising goal, resulting in more than $93,000 in employee contributions to help United Way Suncoast and their partner agencies! With PAR’s matching contribution, we are proud to say United Way will receive just under $140,000 that will help make a difference in the lives of so many people in the Tampa Bay area.

Learn more about how you can help United Way in your community!

August 2018

AUGUST 24: “Humanity begins with a meal.” At Trinity Café, more than 1.4 million meals have been served with dignity, compassion, love, and respect since opening their doors in 2001. A group of PAR volunteers helped serve a freshly prepared, three-course meal to more than 200 people in need during lunch on August 24. Learn more about Trinity Café, the individuals they serve, and how you can get involved with their important mission.

July 2018

JULY 19: A team from PAR visited Metropolitan Ministries and learned about the vast array of services this organization offers to the Tampa Bay area. In addition to providing more than 1.1 million meals to those in need, Metropolitan Ministries provides housing services, programs for homeless children and adolescents, education and job-skills training, counseling, and much more, creating a better future for individuals and families in the area.

June 2018

JUNE 26: PAR employees and their families took to the lanes to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association (AHA) during our annual Bowling for Hearts event. The AHA focuses on helping people lead healthier lives, free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The AHA is the nation’s leader in providing lifesaving CPR education and has funded more than $4 billion in research that has led to many important advances, such as the first artificial heart valve, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and heart transplant surgery. Par was proud to raise more than $3,500 for this important organization.

April 2018

APRIL 28: PAR employees gathered to take part in the Autism Speaks Walk at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. An annual fundraiser, the event featured more than 350 teams and 6,500 people who came together to celebrate, connect, and inspire. The campaign raised more than $330,000 for Autism Speaks, an organization founded in 2005 that is dedicated to advancing research into causes and better treatments for individuals on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD), increasing understanding and acceptance of those with ASD, and working toward solutions for the needs of those with ASD and their families through advocacy and support.


APRIL 27: Several PAR employees spent their lunch hour volunteering at Trinity Café, an eatery in Tampa that serves free hot lunches to those in need. Patrons are seated and served, restaurant style, at one of about a dozen tables and are encouraged to engage with each other and volunteers. One volunteer serves as each table’s host to provide much-needed interaction for the guests, who are otherwise often isolated. Other volunteers serve meals and clear tables. Trinity Café serves more than 380 hot and hearty meals every day at two locations in Tampa. Open 365 days a year, Trinity Café welcomes everyone, without question or qualification, and all are served with kindness, compassion, dignity, and respect.


APRIL 14: A group of PAR employees helped represent team Cody’s Pit Crew in the Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. The family- and dog-friendly event featured vendors, music, food, and giveaways—all in the name of raising funds for the Southeastern Guide Dogs! The event, part of eight similar events throughout central and southwest Florida, raised more than $146,000 toward the 2018 walkathon goal of $1,125,000. Money raised goes toward raising, training, and matching guide dogs with visually impaired students, veterans with disabilities, and people whose lives are transformed by new levels of independence, freedom, and hope. 

March 2018

MARCH 24: The PARty Animals of PAR have done it again! For the 7th year in a row, PAR’s team has been named Top Dog at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s annual Bark in the Park fundraising event. More than 130 teams raised a combined total of more than $144,000.

PAR donations totaled $8,475, and employee participation was close to 100%.

All funds raised are earmarked for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, which works to save the lives of thousands of homeless animals each year and provides shelter, food, spay and neuter services, and low-cost veterinary care.

The March 24 event, held in downtown Tampa, featured vendors, a dog costume contest, a dog agility zone, adoptable dogs, and a pop-up dog park. The event was capped by a mile-long Walk for the Animals along the scenic Hillsborough River.


MARCH 23: Camp Circle of Love – PAR employees volunteered for Camp Circle of Love, a no-cost annual weekend retreat for children in Hillsborough county ages 6 to 18 years who have experienced the death of a loved one. Sponsored by Lifepath Hospice, Camp Circle of Love allows attendees to participate in traditional camp activities such as arts and crafts and swimming, but the retreat also includes exercises that help campers cope with grief and a memorial service designed to provide healing and closure.  It is hosted by LifePath Hospice, a not-for-profit provider of quality palliative care for individuals affected by life-limiting illnesses and end-of-life issues. 


MARCH 14: Each week throughout the year, PAR employees deliver fresh, nutritious meals to seniors and homebound individuals as a part of Meals on Wheels of Tampa (left). The organization prepares more than 800 hot meals a day.  

MARCH 8: PAR Executive Chairman and Founder R. Bob Smith III and Vice President of Community Relations Emeritus Cathy Smith (right) were honored during the Meals on Wheels Nourish the Homebound Breakfast. 


MARCH 7: (from left) Donna Drackett, Kristin Greco, and Travis White with the United Way’s Suzanne McCormick, who stopped by to present PAR with a certificate of appreciation for once again making the list of the United Way Suncoast’s 100 Most Generous Workplaces. Each year, PAR holds a companywide United Way fundraising campaign, and in 2017, as it has for more than 20 years, 100% of PAR’s employees contributed. Learn more about how you can get involved with United Way where you live.

February 2018

FEBRUARY 22: PAR employees gathered early at the Tampa Convention Center for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s Cup of Compassion breakfast. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay provides counseling, case management, suicide prevention, traveler’s aid, survivor empowerment, psychological assessment and more. It serves children, teens, and adults and families dealing with the trauma of sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, medical emergency, suicidal thoughts and other crises.

January 2018

JANUARY 2:  PAR announced the recipient of its fourth-annual Pay-it-Forward program to benefit worthy charities. In November, PAR mailed an end-of-year communication to select Customers, thanking them for their business and asking them to choose their favorite organization from a list as a way to acknowledge the important work they do throughout the year. Most PAR Customers are involved in psychological assessment, educational assessment, or mental health work. PAR is proud to announce that on behalf of its Customers, a $5,000 donation will be made Prevent Child Abuse America.

December 2017

DECEMBER 20: Every year, PAR participates in the Angel Tree program to help provide a little holiday cheer to local families and children in need. This year, PAR employees donated hundreds of items, including toys, clothes, toiletries, and more, to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and the Redland Christian Migrant Association.

November 2017

NOVEMBER 18: A group of PAR staffers and their families took part in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa. This annual event benefits the Alzheimer’s Association, the largest voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support, and research.

October 2017

OCTOBER 12: Several PAR employees spent the day at Hillsborough Aging Services playing games, calling bingo, and serving lunch to a special group of local senior citizens in our community as part of the United Way’s Day of Caring. Through United Way Suncoast, more than 1,900 volunteers took part in 101 projects in the local area on one day. To learn more about how you can get involved in your community, visit United Way.


OCTOBER 6: A group of PAR staffers participated in the No-Pucker Challenge to raise awareness for Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC). NPC is a rare, fatal childhood disease known as “Childhood Alzheimer’s.” Staff member Katie Meyer-Griffith’s husband, Sean, will be riding across Florida to raise awareness for Hope for Marian, the organization behind the No-Pucker Challenge. Learn more about Marian, a two-year-old girl fighting for her life against NPC and about Sean’s ride. Visit our Facebook page to watch us as we take on the No-Pucker Challenge! 


OCTOBER 10: PAR employees donated boxes of much-needed supplies to send through the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration to help those devastated by Hurricane Maria. Whether it was batteries, garbage bags, diapers, or first aid supplies, staff stepped up and donated what we could to help the effort in Puerto Rico.

 

September 2017

SEPTEMBER 13: Despite being slightly hampered by the appearance of Hurricane Irma, PAR staff took part in its annual United Way fundraising campaign this week. For more than 20 years, 100% of staff members have contributed and this year was no different. We exceeded our fundraising goal, resulting in employee contributions of $90,402.74 being donated to United Way to help continue its mission of helping others in our community. With match and challenge donations, that brings our 2017 United Way campaign total to $136,604.11! Learn more about how you can help the United Way in your community! Visit www.unitedway.org.