Charities We Support
2018 -2019 GFWC Florida President’s Project Operation Smile
"I believe ever child needs a smile"
Operation Smile was founded in 1982 when Dr. William (Bill) P. Magee, Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen (Kathy), a nurse and clinical social worker, traveled to the Philippines with a group of medical volunteers to repair children’s cleft lips and cleft palates.
What they found was overwhelming. “People pushed their babies at us.” recalls Kathy. “They tugged at our sleeves with tears in their eyes and begged us to help their children.” In Naga City, approximately 300 families arrived hoping their children would receive surgery, but the team could only treat 40 children. As they prepared to leave, the Magees made a promise they would return to help more children.
They began soliciting donations of surgical equipment and supplies from manufacturers, threw themselves into grassroots fundraising and assembled a volunteer team of 18 doctors, nurses and technicians for their own medical mission to the Philippines. They helped approximately 100 more patients, but again, hundreds still waited.
They saw the need and Operation Smile was born.
Conservation
Tampa Bay Watch
OUR MISSION:
Tampa Bay Watch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary through scientific and educational programs.
ABOUT TAMPA BAY WATCH
Dedicated to Habitat Protection and Restoration in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Watch is working to preserve the delicate ecological balance that exists in Tampa Bay. A nonprofit organization established in 1993, Tampa Bay Watch performs a variety of habitat restoration and protection activities throughout the year, utilizing thousands of volunteers to help the bay recover from its environmental problems. Individuals of all ages from community groups, scout troops, schools and others participate in salt marsh plantings, storm drain markings, oyster bar creation, coastal cleanups, and wildlife protection each year, demonstrating environmental stewardship in its purest form.
For More Information please visit: http://tampabaywatch.org
Save The Manatee Club
Who We Are:
Save the Manatee Club is an award-winning national nonprofit 501(c)(3) and membership-based organization established in 1981 by renowned singer/songwriter, Jimmy Buffett, and former U.S. Senator, Bob Graham, when he was governor of Florida.
Why We Need Your Support:
Human activities are harming manatees, and only our compassion and action can protect them.
Manatees are Florida’s official state marine mammal. They are listed as endangered at the international level by the IUCN World Conservation Union. They are listed as threatened at the federal level by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and at the state level by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Their listing status is largely due to human activity. Since record-keeping began in 1974, more than 41% of manatee deaths where cause of death was identified were human-related – and almost 34% were due to watercraft collisions (the largest known cause of manatee deaths). With increased awareness, education, regulations, and enforcement, manatee deaths caused by humans could be substantially reduced, and the eventual recovery of the species could be realized.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to protect manatees and their aquatic habitat for future generations.
Our Objective:
Our objective is the recovery and protection of manatees and their aquatic ecosystems throughout the world.
Our Goals:
In order to recover the manatee population – or delist the species – our goals are:
1. To protect ample healthy habitat to support a stable or growing manatee population
2. To reduce manatee harassment, injuries and deaths from human activity
3. To ensure that sufficient regulations have been adopted to accomplish these goals.
Our Work:
In order to accomplish our objective and goals we concentrate our efforts on reducing the negative impacts to manatees and their aquatic habitat caused by human activity through:
1. Increasing public awareness and education
2. Sponsoring research, rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts
3. Advocating for strong protection measures, such as boat speed zones and sanctuaries
4. Taking legal action when appropriate
We also assist scientists and educators in the Wider Caribbean, South America, and West Africa with their conservation efforts.
Our Core Values:
1. Supporting the most effective conservation actions possible.
2. Making science-based decisions and supporting science-driven policies
3. Demanding accountability from policy-makers
4. Working cooperatively
For More Information please visit: http://www.savethemanatee.org
Arbor Day Foundation
We inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
This is the mission statement of the Arbor Day Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit conservation and education organization.
Founded in 1972, the centennial of the first Arbor Day observance in the 19th century, the Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters, and valued partners.
The impact we make on our world is accomplished through our conservation and education programs.
For more Information please visit: https://www.arborday.org/states/state.cfm?state=fl
EDUCATION
The Lucille B King – University of Tampa Scholarship
Every year the GFWC Tampa Woman’s Club Awards a $1000 scholarship.
Founded in 1958, HOBY’s mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.
HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students. HOBY programs provide students selected by their schools to participate in unique leadership training, service-learning and motivation-building experiences.
HOBY also provides adults with opportunities to make a significant impact on the lives of youth by volunteering. Over 4,000 committed HOBY volunteers plan and execute the programs each year, serving both at the local HOBY affiliate level and on HOBY’s Board of Trustees. Due to the selfless efforts of volunteers and the contributions of generous donors, nearly 10,000 students participate in HOBY programs annually.
Today, over 450,000 proud alumni make HOBY stronger than ever. HOBY alumni are leaders in their schools and communities, throughout the United States and the world, making a difference for others through service. Want to see the impact of HOBY firsthand? Get involved as a student, school, parent, alumna/us, volunteer or supporter.
GFWC Tampa Woman’s Club has been a long time supporter of HOBY, each year we fund one to two local high school students to experience the program.
Hillsborough Community College – WINGS Program
The first step towards a new beginning . . .
The Wings Program offers support to students pursuing Associate in Science (AS) degrees or college credit certificates. Partial tuition, funds for textbooks, and some childcare assistance are among the services provided to eligible students. To qualify, students must be eligible for a Pell Grant.
HOME LIFE
Canine Companions For Independence
Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence® is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.
The assistance dogs we breed, raise and train aren’t just the ears, hands and legs of their human partners. They’re also goodwill ambassadors and often, their best friends. They open up new opportunities and new possibilities, and spread incredible joy. We unite people with dogs in a powerful program that leads to greater independence and confidence.
For more information please visit their website: http://www.cci.org
Alpha House of Tampa
Is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1981. Alpha House of Tampa offers homeless pregnant women and mothers with young children safe housing and the tools they need to become self-sufficient and effective, responsible parents. We provide a safe, temporary place to stay and assistance with housing and employment, as well as addressing the underlying issues that contributed to homelessness. We offer vision, hope and strength for a better life.
Rated a Top Ten Best Charity in Tampa Bay by Charity Navigator.
For more information please visit their website at: http://www.alphahouseoftampa.org/