BARTOW SERVES!

Bartow has many amazing civic organizations that donate both time and money back to our community.

The Zonta Club of Bartow is part of Zonta International, a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy.

Our Bartow Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization dedicated to serving the children of the world.

The Junior Service League of Bartow is a service club for women committed to working together to improve our community through volunteerism and fundraising.

Bartow Rotary Club is part of a national organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

And, the Crickette Club of Bartow is a group of women in or retired from businesses and professions who take an active interest in Bartow's civic affairs and who, as a group, give their primary support to Bartow-area Girl Scouting, in addition to providing support for other civic and youth-related activities.

Each of these civic clubs has volunteered thousands of hours and donated thousands of dollars to the greater Bartow community. Recently, I had the privilege to attend the Bartow High School Senior Awards ceremony, where several of these civic organizations presented scholarships to students.

As a current Crickette member and past President, I want to point out that this year marks the Crickette Club's 75th Anniversary. To mark this special occasion, all Crickettes are working to raise $10,000 to endow a scholarship for Bartow High School students that will leave a legacy for future generations. The Crickettes are accepting sponsorships from any person or business in the community. Find out more by visiting the Crickette website, www.crickettes.org.

You can find out more about any of these and other civic organizations through the Chambers’ website, under Membership Directory. If you have a heart to serve, there is an organization here in Bartow you can join and help us give back to this great Bartow community.

Jennifer Hall
Your Chamber President, 2016

Want to find a retail or service business? Click here.

CHAMPIONS CUP
Champions Cup was created to recognize and honor businesses and organizations that have championed exemplary best practices, and have had a positive influence on the economic well being of the area's business environment. Congratulations to the 2015 Champions Cup Winners! Here they are:

Lakeland Piano has rebranded and reopened and the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce was on hand when owner, Rich Lane, cut the ceremonial red ribbon. Lakeland Piano is located at 6595 S. Florida Avenue, Lakeland. For more information, call Rich at (863) 937-9091 or email: lakelandpianos@gmail.com.

The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce helped the Crickette Club celebrate its 75th Anniversary with a Crickette Fun Thursday on June 9, held at the Girl Scout House. Happy Anniversary to a great organization!

Retail Stores
Mattress Firm
Mr. Chuck White
475 E. Van Fleet Dr.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-3530
 
Restaurants
Lenny’s Grill & Subs
Mr. James Harmer
485 E. Van Fleet Dr.
Bartow, FL 33830
www.lennys.com

Community Action/Human Services
Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County, Inc.
Ms. Julie Farish, Executive Director
3550 Recker Hwy.
Winter Haven, FL. 33880
863-292-2256
www.habitateastpolk.org
 
Healthcare-General
Fusion Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center
Dr. Brandi Ancrum
680 E. Main St., Suite 101
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7330
www.chirofusionhealth.com

ROI ALERT TO ALL MEMBERS!
We've established a new perk to your membership. Now, as a member of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, you may include a promotional item for your business in the HELLO BARTOW! welcome baskets for new residents. PARTICIPATION IS FREE OF CHARGE! If you are interested, contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Director, (863) 533-7125, or reply to this email.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: JUNE 30, 2016!
    Could it really be time for a new Leadership class? The current Leadership Class XVI is graduating May 19, 2016, at Polk State College Advanced Technology Center, so it's true!
     If you are interested in joining the more than 450 individuals who have completed the Leadership Bartow program, acquiring the skills, knowledge and passion necessary to participate fully in the life of our community, read the brochure here; and sign up online today. Leadership Bartow continues to be a vital part of the overall effort to ensure that the pool of talent from which the community can draw its future leaders continues to be renewed.
For an electronic application for Leadership XVII, click here.

(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)
 

JUNE

BIZ KIDS CONTINUES THRU JULY 19

Tuesday, June 21, 3:45 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Thursday, June 23, 9:30 a.m.
NEW BEGINNING RIBBON-CUTTING
1255 Gunn Hwy., Bartow
Tri-County Human Services Facility

Friday, June 24, 9:30 a.m.
CITY STAR FAMILY RESTAURANT
1037 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow
Tuesday, June 28, 6:00 p.m.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOUSE DEDICATION
525 S. Carpenter Ave., Bartow

Thursday, June 30, 9:30 a.m.
MATTRESS FIRM RIBBON-CUTTING
475 E. Van Fleet Dr., Bartow

JULY

Monday, July 11
ENGAGE STUFF THE BUS
Now through August 19th

Friday, July 15, noon
ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN
FIPR Boardroom

Tuesday, July 19, 3:45 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, July 20, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMAT BIRTHDAY PARTY
Happy Birthday, Karen Donhaiser, Issie Jencowski!

FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE AND THEN CHOOSE "EVENTS"!

Wednesday, July 13, 2016, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Boardroom
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
MORNING BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE
Plenty of coffee and fellowship with your fellow member business owners. Bring lots of business cards and give everyone two - one for them and one for a friend. Hope to see you there! NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY.

STEPHANIE COLON JOINS CITIZENS BANK & TRUST
Citizens Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the newest addition to its experienced banking team. Eighteen-year banking veteran Stephanie Colon has been hired as Vice President and Business Banker.
 
Working out of the Citizens Bank & Trust downtown Lakeland location, Colon’s duties will include client service and business development on the commercial banking side. She began her career with Florida First Bank, and has held positions at Wachovia as well as Community Southern Bank over the years.
 
“Stephanie brings tremendous experience to our team,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President Greg Littleton. “After nearly a century of banking here in Polk County, we’re constantly striving to improve our team and customer service efforts for our customers. With the addition of Stephanie, we are doing just that.”
 
Colon is heavily involved in the community. She is a member of the 2016 Board of Directors for the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce; United Way Central Florida Board Member; President of the Florida Banking School, Class of 2016; as well as other volunteer community outreach committees. She’s a Leadership Lakeland Class XXX and Leadership Polk Class VIII alum.
 
Citizens Bank and Trust, founded in 1920 in Frostproof, Florida, is a full service financial institution providing personal and commercial banking deposit and loan products, along with Trust & Investment services. Branches are located in Auburndale, Bartow, Dundee, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Wales, Lakeland and Winter Haven. For more information on Citizens Bank and Trust visit www.citizens-bank.com.
 
BARTOW DEACONS AND STEWARDS ALLIANCE
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET TO FEATURE
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF GRADY JUDD
     Mentor, mediator, peacemaker, law enforcer, motivator and educator, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is keynote speaker for the Saturday, June 25, 2016 Bartow Deacons and Stewards Alliance Annual Scholarship Banquet. The event will be hald at Carver Recreation Center at 6:00 p.m.
     Individual tickets are $25; table sponsorships are $200. For more information, please contact Carver Young, President of the Deacons and Stewards Alliance, at (863) 533-1207; or banquet chairperson, Tylonda Sanders at (863) 709-5180.