POLK EMERGING LEADERS
For the 6^th year in a row, the (3) Chamber Young Professionals groups in our County – ENGAGE (Bartow), EMERGE (Lakeland), and ENDEAVOR (Winter Haven) have hosted the Polk Emerging Leaders Awards. For the 3^rd time, the award ceremony will be held at the Bartow Civic Center.
 
Polk County is fortunate to have many amazing leaders living and working here. The Polk Emerging Leaders Awards is a great opportunity to foster collaboration across the County and help erase the “east/west dividing line”. The awards recognizes (5) young professionals age 21-42 who have made significant contributions and commitments to the Polk County community.
 
Past winners include some of our terrific Bartow folks - Jeff Kincart, ACT Environmental (2012), Jennifer Hall, SEMCO (2012), Jennifer Jonsson, ACT Environmental (2013), and John Bohde, Polk County Government - Land Development Office (2015).
 
The event is set for Tuesday, August 16, 2016, with Cocktail Hour at 6:00pm and Dinner/Program at 6:45pm. Tickets are $50/person, or $375 for corporate/group table of 8. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
 
http://web.winterhavenchamber.com/events/Polk-Emerging-Leaders-Awards-6th-Annual--2103/details
 
I hope to see you there, as we support, encourage, and congratulate our Polk Emerging Leaders!

 
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:

STUFF THE BUS!
The Bartow ENGAGE Chamber Young Professionals' community project is, “Stuff the Bus,” that includes collecting school supply donations for Polk’s students in need. The campaign generally begins mid-July and continues through mid-August - just in time for school. This year, stuff the Bus begins Monday, July 11 and continues through Friday, August 19, 2016.
 
“The number of homeless children and youth in the Polk County School System is growing year after year,” said Dee Dee Wright, Polk County School Board Project Hearth Specialist. “Last year we identified more than 2800 homeless people throughout Polk County,” she said. Homeless children and youth are students who lack a fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence. Families are considered homeless who have “doubled up” at a residence, or are living in substandard housing or hotels. Women with children living in a charity home are also considered homeless by Project Hearth - the Polk County School Board’s services department for homeless students. The average age of a school-aged homeless person is nine years old. It has been estimated that at any given time, there are more than 350 school aged, enrolled homeless children in Polk County.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to homeless school-aged children in Polk County may do so by writing a check to the Polk County Education Foundation and writing “Hearth” in the memo line of the check. Checks may be dropped off at the Bartow Chamber, anytime. Donations will be used to purchase caps and gowns for seniors, pay for school physicals and pay for needed birth certificates.

According to Wright, the items most needed this time of year are school supplies including backpacks, zip binders (Trapper Keepers), paper, 3-prong folders, spiral notebooks and calculators (scientific and graphing). In addition, school uniforms, gift cards for food, medical and dental services are much needed. Although hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, hair brushes and feminine products are always appreciated, the most dire need at this time are the school supplies.

For more information on ENGAGE, or the Stuff the Bus campaign, call the Chamber at (863) 533-7125, or email ENGAGE CHAIR, KATHRYN BEVILACQUA-ELY HERE.
Bartow has our very own Economic Development Council! How exciting is that?

Wednesday, August 10, 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.

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.

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

JULY

ENGAGE STUFF THE BUS
Now through August 19th

Tuesday, July 26, 9:30 a.m.
FUSION CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER, LLC RIBBON-CUTTING
680 E. Main Street, Suite 101, Bartow

AUGUST

Wednesday, Aug. 3, noon
AMBASSADORS & DELEGATES LUNCHEON
at JK's Cafe, 211 NW First Ave., Mulberry

Thursday, Aug 4, 6:00 p.m.
KIWANIS CLUB CRYING TOWEL
Bartow Civic Center, tickets at Chamber, $50

Wednesday, Aug. 10, 7:30 a.m.
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
Business Card Exchange

Thursday, Aug. 11, 5:00 p.m.
TOM EDWARDS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FUN THURSDAY
1425 W. Main St., Bartow

Friday, Aug. 12, 8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE of 100
Health and Wellness Center (Old Hospital)

Tuesday, Aug. 16, 3:45 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tuesday, Aug 16, 6:00 p.m.
EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS
Bartow Civic Center

Thursday, Aug. 18, 5:00 p.m.
POLK POLITICS CANDIDATES RALLY
Bartow Civic Center

Monday, Aug. 22, 9:30 a.m.
JOSHUA'S KITCHEN RIBBON-CUTTING
2020 Shepard Road, Mulberry

Wednesday, Aug. 24, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
Polk State College Clear Springs Campus
 

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

 BARTOW IDOL RETURNS TO FRIDAY FEST AUGUST 19
 
Join Main Street Bartow, Inc. for the next monthly Friday Fest on August 19 in downtown Bartow -- with an Entertaining Twist -- BARTOW IDOL! Friday Fest festivities begin at 6:00 PM and conclude at 9:00 PM. Plan to meet your neighbors, family, and friends on Main Street for dinner at a local downtown restaurant as you are entertained by some of Bartow’s top talent, and as you cheer on your favorites. The events will take place along historic Main Street as usual, and there will be family activities, open car cruise in, adult beverages, and lots of opportunity to just enjoy Main Street Bartow. Downtown shops will be open as well. Vendor opportunities are available -- call 863-519-0508. The event is sponsored by the Bartow Rotary Club and TransPhos.
Audition dates for those aspiring to be the 2016-17 BARTOW IDOL are: August 3rd; August 10th; and August 17^th at 6:00 PM on each date. The audition location will be Hacienda Mexico Restaurante at 195 E. Main Street, Bartow.

Restaurants
Lennys 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

Finkbeiner Photography, Inc.
Ms. Joni Finkbeiner-Tyler
723 S. Missouri Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 687-8986
www.Finkbeinerphotography.com
 

NO COST BUSINESS PLANS AVAILABLE
THROUGH SBDC STUDENT TEAMS PROJECT