Community Outreach

We had a blast at St. Pete's 11th annual Locaptopia community celebration. Supporting and connecting with other local businesses is more important than ever! 

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Bakas Equestrian Center, one of our favorite local organizations providing equine therapy, hosted a two-day Regional Special Olympics event and we had an absolutely wonderful time volunteering both days! 

In January, Melissa Ems and the team also sponsored and volunteered at the Bakas Charity Open Breed Western & Ranch Pleasure Series at Lake Park Lutz. This is another great local nonprofit that provides equine therapy for children and adults with disabilities.

To kick off 2024, Melissa Ems and the team volunteered for Wreaths Across America again at the Bay Pines Memorial Cemetery. They joined other volunteers to clean up the wreaths they helped display on veteran's graves in December.

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During the month of December, Melissa Ems and the team also volunteered for Wreaths Across America at the Bay Pines Memorial Cemetery. They joined other volunteers to put wreaths out on veteran's graves and honor those who sacrificed so much for our country.

Melissa and the team made it back to one of their favorite nonprofits to volunteer for classes and decorate the barn for the rider’s Christmas Party. Bakas Equestrian Center provides therapeutic horseback riding activities for children and adults afflicted with disabilities across a wide spectrum of physical and mental handicaps.

Melissa and the team made it back to one of their favorite nonprofits to help with their Halloween party pony rides. Bakas Equestrian Center provides therapeutic horseback riding activities for children and adults afflicted with disabilities across a wide spectrum of physical and mental handicaps.

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We volunteered at one of our favorite local non-profits in September! We are a donation drop-off site for Babycycle Diaper Bank and helped sort and load items they dispersed to people al over the state for hurricane relief.

In June 2023 we sponsored C&C Lemonade Factory's 7th Annual Lemonade Stand Childhood Cancer Fundraiser. The fundraiser was a huge success! The organization raised $20k and earned a spot on the Nightly News with Lester Holt! All proceeds are going towards childhood cancer research.

May was Jeff’s volunteer choice and he went with beach cleanup. There is nothing worse than seeing fishing line discarded where birds, turtles and other animals can get entangled or trash rolling around on our beautiful sandy shores.  It was a great success and, as always, awesome family time!

Melissa picked our April volunteering opportunity and chose a place that is very dear to her; a place that brings joy and happiness for so many reasons. Bakas Equestrian Center provides therapeutic horseback riding activities for children and adults afflicted with disabilities across a wide spectrum of physical and mental handicaps. Miss Gina, Miss Hannah, Miss Emmie and Mr. Ray - thank you so much for allowing us to come out and be a part of the wonderful difference you are making!  

Evelyn picked our charity of the month for March: The Kind Mouse! To honor the birthday girl’s choice, we ran a month-long food drive to take items with us on our volunteer day.

It was a beautiful day for the 10th Locaptopia — a celebration of all things local! We loved volunteering in support of local businesses in St. Pete.

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Putting in some quality team time volunteering at The Kind Mouse! They are a fantastic local charity providing food to local children in need.