Clearwater, FL (PRWEB) November 07, 2013 -- Timothy North, CEO of Clearwater-based AmeriLife®, presented a $21,530 check Wednesday to St. Petersburg College, the majority tagged to benefit military veterans associated with SPC. The money was raised through an AmeriLife corporate headquarters community outreach campaign called College Colors: Cheering for Veterans.
For the College Colors campaign, the second annual such project, associates contributed $30 for a personalized season pass – or donated $3 weekly – to wear their college team jerseys or T-shirts and jeans on Fridays throughout the football season.
CEO North seeded the project with $7,000 for the school’s Study Abroad program; corporate headquarters associates then contributed $7,265 for the college’s Veterans Services, an amount which Mr. North matched. He presented the $21,530 check to a team of SPC administrators and military veterans Wednesday afternoon (October 30).
SPC’s Director of Veteran Services, Jeff Cavanagh, said a significant amount of the AmeriLife donation will go to the school’s Veteran’s Bridge Fund, a reservoir to assist veterans in meeting unanticipated financial responsibilities.
“A lot of our veteran students went into the armed services straight out of high school,” said Mr. Cavanagh, a retired U.S. Navy Commander. “They’ve never had to arrange housing, put down a deposit for electricity or choose between paying the rent and buying diapers, all while trying to get enrolled in college.
“As they wait for their benefits to kick in, they find themselves $80, $100, $200 short as they get ready to start classes,” Mr. Cavanagh he said. “That’s where the Veteran’s Bridge Fund helps them.” The Bridge fund also helps when a veteran student needs assistance to buy a book, pay the last bit of tuition or cover expenses necessary to get enrolled in classes. The assistance helps lessen the risk that a veteran will drop out or delay enrollment while awaiting the processing of GI Bill benefits.
AmeriLife’s donation will also help the college’s 501(c)(3) Foundation, which – in partnership with the community – provides scholarships and grants.
“We are deeply grateful for Mr. North’s leadership and the involvement of AmeriLife,” said Frances Neu, executive director of the St. Petersburg College Foundation. “Their support will help ease the financial challenges too many of our veterans encounter as they pursue a college credential.”
AmeriLife is the largest annuity, life and health insurance marketing group in the nation. For additional details about AmeriLife or its corporate philanthropy mission, please contact Director of Corporate Communications Wayne Shelor at 727-726-0726 or at wshelor(at)amerilife(dot)com.
Wayne Shelor, AmeriLife, http://www.amerilife.com, +1 727.224.0088, [email protected]
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