 Bill Haynes, SBT employee and VFW member, helps cut the ribbon to open the new VFW lodge. SBT recently lent $20,000 interest free to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Largo, Florida. The old VFW lodge burned down leaving many veterans without a place to gather. Bill Haynes, valued SBT employee and VFW member, brought this community need to the company's attention. The lodge served as a place for veterans to socialize and re-assimilate back into civilian life. The $20,000 loan allowed the VFW to purchase a new lodge and resume their gatherings. The VFW provides veterans with access to a vast network of resources and helps members find support and community among people who have had similar experiences. Bill Haynes expressed gratitude to SBT, "Thank you very much from the membership of VFW post 10094 and myself."
1 Comment
This Spring, the Watercraft Superstore donated $500 to Special Operations Bionic Warriors, a non-profit organization that supports injured US Special Operation soldiers. The national organization enhances soldiers' quality of life through sport. They provide adaptive sport equipment and events to improve the athletes physiological and psychological well-being.  Anthony Radetic is a retired Warrant Officer who competes in many action sports, including jet ski racing. He is on of America's greatest challenged athletes and competes in many races overseas. Radetic recently won the Ironman Class race at the Mark Hahn 300 Memorial Race in Lake Havasu. The jet ski race was his first race of the season and lasted a continuous 300 miles! On March 2nd, Anthony Radetic was honored for becoming a Warrant Officer. The "1st Warrant Officer Company Iron Warrant Award" is now named the "W01 Anthony Radetic Iron Warrant Award." The award is given to the most physically dexterous candidate of the warrant class. Anthony Radetic was recognized for his determination and dedication in overcoming his injury. For GoPro footage from Anthony Radetic's ride in the P1AquaX USA race, visit the Bionic Warrior website. www.specialoperationsbionicwarriors.com/single-post/2015/09/30/Radetics-Wild-Closed-Course-Race Be sure to check out his FaceBook page. www.facebook.com/AnthonyRadetic/
The Watercraft Superstore is an official sponsor of Anthony Radetic. In 2016, he served as a guest judge at the Skyway Ski Show, an annual charity event hosted by WCSS. That year, Wounded Warriors was selected as the Skyway Ski Show's charity and received a $5,000 donation. BlackTip Jetports also provides traction mats, seat covers, and other accessories that keep Radetic's jet ski looking sharp. SBT is a continued sponsor of Anthony Radetic, providing parts for his race ski at no charge.
The Watercraft Superstore recently donated apparel and marine items to help keep the local waterways safe for boaters. Eckerd College runs a search and rescue team that provides volunteer maritime search and rescue services to the Tampa Bay boating community. Last year the program assisted over 600 boaters. The Watercraft Superstore continued to support Eckerd College this year by donating supplies to their student volunteers.  In 2017, SBT donated 3 sets of Elite Traction Mats, an Adonis Impeller, a Kawasaki crank shaft, and choke cables for the Mid-Canada Jet Sports racing season. The races are based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, but they extend to Northern Ontario, Northern United States, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. These races have a lot of operating expenses like paramedics, insurance, and equipment repair. SBT Sales Manager, Ericka Buczkowski commented about the races, “SBT is happy to support races like this that keep our industry strong. Because our international sales make up a large portion of our total sales, we are especially excited to see the Mid-Canada Jet Sports team have another successful racing season.”  Racer received Elite Series Traction Mats donated from SBT   Racer from Saskatchewan receives a new Kawasaki Crank Shaft from SBT On March 7, 2017, The Watercraft Superstore hosted their annual charity event, The Skyway Ski Show, at Whiskey Joe's restaurant in Tampa, Florida. The event previews new jet skis for the upcoming year. Jet ski manufacturers, like Yamaha, Sea-Doo, and Kawasaki, bring their newest models of PWCs for panelists to ride and evaluate. Each year, $5000 is donated to a charity of the company's choice. This year, The Eckerd Kids Foundation was selected to receive the donation.  Eckerd Kids Foundation offers a wide variety of services to at-risk youth and families in the community. Through prevention interventions, community-based services, transitional services, and workforce development, Eckerd Kids works systematically to support families and has provided "second chances" to over 200,000 people. Eckerd Kids is located in Clearwater, Florida and is a favorite non-profit organization of the Pickren Family Companies.  Jesse Freeman, a 23 year old from West Palm Beach, was selected to sit on the Skyway Ski Show's judging panel. She is one of the many youth who have benefited from the services of Eckerd Kids. E-Nini-Hassee, an outdoor therapeutic school for girls, is one of the many resources Eckerd Kids provides to the community. Adolescent girls who are experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties receive counseling services in a positive, strength-based environment. Jesse Freeman, a graduate from the Eckerd Kids E-Nini-Hassee program, describes the positive impact Eckerd Kids has had on her life, “Without camp, things would have been bad. I would have been on more drugs, probably in a hospital and most likely end up in prison. Camp exposed me to things that are ethical instead of destructive and I was able to meet people who held true values. Without the support and family from the people at Eckerd Kids and Camp E-Nini-Hassee, I would not have the life I have today. I hope by now working at E-Nini-Hassee I can help give these young girls the tools I was given to create a more fulfilling life. “  Jesse Freeman, guest panelist, rides the newest Sea Doo Spark at the Skyway Ski Show.  The Skyway Ski Show's judging panel carefully evaluates and scores the newest jet skis on the market.  David Dennis, President and CEO of Eckerd Kids, expressed gratitude at the event, "Thank you Greg Pickren and the Skyway Ski Show for your generous donation. With your kindness we are able to continue to help children and families all over the country.”  Superstar player, Landon, gives Watercraft Superstore's sponsored hole two "thumbs up." On January 22nd, 2017, The West Florida Flames U10 Academy hosted their inaugural golf tournament at Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort. The golf tournament benefited the local, elite youth soccer team. Event Organizer, Virginia Stewart, describes The West Florida Flames soccer team: Our program creates a challenging environment that fosters player development through professional coaching, competitive matches, and a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Our U10 Academy roster consists of 23 outstanding players, all from the local area with fields in Palm Harbor, Eastlake and Brandon.  Players from The West Florida Flames pose for a picture at the golf tournament. The Watercraft Superstore donated $275 to sponsor a hole at the event. Stephanie Mosny, WCSS manager, comments about the event, "My son is a player on the team. It was really cool to see him and his teammates help out during the event and raise money for their team. We are excited and grateful for the support from many local companies, like WCSS, that are encouraging our kids to be athletic and have commitment to a sport." Watercraft Superstore wishes The West Florida Flames a successful season. Go Flames!
Christmas in North Greenwood was very merry this year with the help of SEI's annual donation of 30 bikes and helmets. On December 19th, 2016, kids in the neighborhood gathered with excitement hoping that their names would be pulled in a raffle to receive brand new bikes from Santa! Mr. O'Neil Larkin hosted the event in his backyard. Many community sponsors donated food, toys, and more bikes to help make the event successful. Justin Webb, manager of SEI, explained why the company chooses to donate each year: "SEI employees enjoy preparing for this event. The company buys the bikes and our employees personally donate the helmets. We pick new bikes and helmets that we think the kids will think are cool and we look forward to seeing the kids' faces as they are given this very special Christmas present. SEI is proud to sponsor this event and we feel that this donation makes a positive impact on the children and families living in the North Greenwood community."
Hundreds of people lined up this year at the 14th Annual SBT Thanksgiving Dinner to eat good food and celebrate the North Greenwood community. A stage and buffet line were set up across the street from SBT's factory in Clearwater, Florida. Clearwater Mayor, Goerge Cretekos, along with police officers and other valuable community members, like O'Neal Larkin, welcomed guests and expressed gratitude. Greg Pickren, president of SBT, spoke at the event: One of the things that makes this event really special is that everyone is welcome. It doesn't matter if you're from North Greenwood or from a surrounding community. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor. It doesn't matter if you're black or white. It doesn't matter if you're a Muslim or a Christian, gay or straight, documented or undocumented. Everybody here is welcome; and that's a special thing. SBT's home is North Greenwood. We've been a sponsor of this event since it started 14 years ago. SBT was started in the building right behind us 20 years ago. Today, SBT is the largest supplier of jet ski engine parts in the word. Right here in North Greenwood we have a world-class company making world-class products with world-class employees. During the past 20 years we have worked really hard together to make North Greenwood a better place and today I'm honored to welcome everyone here to gather and celebrate together.  Greg Pickren, president of SBT, welcomes community at the 14th Annual SBT Thanksgiving Dinner.  The Georgia Institute of Technology has officially acknowledged the frequent flyer mile donation Ryan Pickren made in September 2016. Pickren donated 5,000,000 miles with United Airlines to the Office of Student Life at Georgia Tech. This donation, which is valued as a $100,000 gift, will assist students in completing charitable work. Barret Carson, Vice President for Development, expressed gratitude in his letter, "Your vision to enable students to serve the greater community and those around the world by helping with the cost of travel will allow many young men and women to experience firsthand the importance and reward of using their knowledge and skills to do good in the world. Thank you for your thoughtful gift." To read more about Ryan Pickren's accumulation of frequent flyer miles, click Here.
The following article was published in the Watercraft Journal on September 30th, 2016 by Kevin Shaw. watercraftjournal.com/sbt-inc-supports-local-elementary-schools-and-teachers/  Recently, The Watercraft Journal talked with Sage Pickren, SBT, Inc. President Greg Pickren’s daughter, who explained their latest efforts to support local schools in Clearwater, Florida: “SBT, Inc. has many new initiatives this year that focus on supporting teachers and education. This summer, SBT created a community partnership with four local elementary schools, Sandy Lane Elementary School, King’s Highway Elementary School, Skycrest Elementary School, and Calvin A. Hunsinger School. We selected Title 1, Pinellas County schools that were close to our factory and catered towards a wide range of student populations.
Many SBT employees have students that attend Skycrest Elementary. I interviewed the Skycrest principal, Angelean Bing, to find out how we could help. She said that the school’s greatest need was supplying students with school uniforms. Clothes to Kids is a local nonprofit organization that SBT also sponsors. They provide families with clothes and uniforms for school. Sometimes families are unable to make their shopping appointments, so the principal and school counselor end up buying clothes for students out of their own pockets. SBT donated $500 worth of clothes to Skycrest Elementary including shirts, shorts, skirts, socks, and underwear. Sandy Lane Elementary is another school SBT has a partnership. This year we spent just over $1,000 to buy PE equipment like basketballs, soccer nets, and games that improve coordination. The Sandy Lane principal, Melanie Dedert, explained to me that they needed help expanding their PE program. They just hired two new teachers and they are focusing on improving physical education classes at the school. This was exciting to me because it was a donation that all the students at the school could benefit from. SBT also gave $500 to Sandy Lane Elementary to sponsor their ‘family nights.’ Ms. Dedert uses ‘family nights’ as a chance to bring the community together and educate parents on ways they can support their children in school.
Calvin A. Hunsinger School is a special school that serves K-12 students with emotional and behavior disorders. The principal, Douglas Keimig, asked SBT to help by sponsoring teacher trainings. The $500 will be used to train teachers on educational techniques and provide those being trained with refreshments. King’s Highway Elementary is a magnet school that focuses on technology. I was excited about the school’s focus on character education and integration of technology across curriculum. SBT donated custom T-shirts to all four schools. Each T-shirt had the specific school logo on the front and then Blacktip and SBT logos on the back and on the sleeve. The T-shirts were donated to the faculty to wear on school spirit days. King’s Highway also received special student shirts to give to their ‘students of the month’ who displayed strong character. Sandy Lane Elementary was given 200 student T-shirts for the school’s PTO to sell as a fundraiser. In addition to our partnerships with local elementary schools, SBT gave away school supplies bags to all of our employees at SBT and SEI who had school-aged children. We also gave our employees $100 gift cards to Lakeshore Learning Store to bring to their child’s teachers on back to school night. Many of the Lakeshore gift cards were received by teachers at Skycrest Elementary, which was an added bonus. Our focus this year has been on supporting local public schools, but we also help our community by sponsoring little league football players and hosting an annual Thanksgiving dinner."  Teachers at Skycrest Elementary School wearing their new SBT shirts |
AuthorSage Pickren Archives
March 2018
Categories |
RSS Feed