Among the statements of customer satisfaction rules and business standards in Bartow Ford’s Company Philosophy, Ernest Smith instructed the dealership, “To be actively involved in our communities.” Along with the awards to show how successful we are, we are mostly awarded with the opportunity to help in our local community and be involved in foundations and charities throughout Polk County.
One foundation Bartow Ford assists is the George W. Harris, Jr. Runaway and Youth Crisis Center, also known as “The Harris House.” Working along with Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc., the Harris House shelters children and teens ages 10-17 who: have ran away from home; are homeless; have been kicked out of their homes by parents or guardians; need short-term shelter due to family conflict; have been abused or neglected; or need to be placed in foster care.
Bob Ambrose, Bartow Ford’s Vice President, has been very involved with the Harris House. When first getting involved with the shelter, he had no idea the impact it would make on his life. “I did not realize the scope of problems that exist in our community with relationships between parents and children,” said Bob. “The Harris House shelter is not for kids that are in trouble, it’s for kids that don’t have a place to sleep. And the object is to change the kids’ lives and hopefully the parents’ lives to try to get them to be able to live a life that will be on the right track because these kids are falling through the cracks.”
The shelter can house up to twelve boys and twelve girls at a time comfortably. Youth receive a few items of clothing and transportation to and from school and work, if they hold a job.
Representatives from the Harris House will respond to any call at any time, even in the middle of the night.
You have probably seen a “Safe Place” sign in public areas without realizing it. The Safe Place symbol indicates where youths can go at any time, 24/7, to get into contact with a representative from the Harris House. The Harris House works with twelve different Safe Place locations in Polk County, some which include Winter Haven’s bus service Winter Haven Area Transit, Lakeland’s bus service Citrus Connection, the Salvation Army of Lakeland, and Bartow Fire Department. In the shape of a diamond, the symbol shows a figure reaching out to take in another figure.
Steve Hendrix, one of Bartow Ford’s Fleet Department representatives, has worked with a number of different organizations to raise funds for the Harris House, and regularly sends a personal donation to the foundation. Just as Bob expressed, Steve did not anticipate the impression that the Harris House would make on him. “I approached Bob Ambrose on it and he told me what was going on with it and how it was set up and what it did for the community. It really surprised me; it was a really big shock that there were that many kids displaced. It touched my heart that it was right in my back door and I didn’t know about it,” Steve expressed. “The young people that I know are like my son, and my friends’ kids, that would hopefully never have a need for something like that. I was really surprised that there are that many kids that don’t have a family they could turn to and how many kids got kicked out of their homes because their parents couldn’t put up with them. They end up being productive members of society.”
Organizations like the Harris House put into perspective the struggles that can encompass a young person’s life, and show that even one safe haven can save many young people. Such organizations are made to change lives.
For more information about the George W. Harris, Jr. Runaway and Youth Crisis Center click here.
You don’t have to be homeless or without a job to find yourself at the local food pantry each week, waiting to collect basic rations that will prevent your family from going hungry.
The items were part of the annual Sack Hunger food drive, a combined effort of Raymond James Financial, the Glazer Family Foundation, Southern Ford Dealers, and Kraft foods.
Kristie Carter, Fleet Salesperson, played a tremendous role in raising the items. She is very passionate about the food drive, “No one should go hungry during the holidays, or any other time of the year. It’s times like these that you are thankful for what you have.”
“I became aware of the VOICE’s needs through one of our service advisors, Brian Jones. After looking into it further I decided it would be a great opportunity to help the community,” stated Mike Maskolunas. “These vehicles are what keep this organization going, and without them the VOICE could no longer perform their duties.”
Since 1995 members of VOICE have donated over 35,000 hours to the Lake Wales community. The program has provided supplemental law enforcement services to the community as well, playing an essential role in protecting the health, safety and welfare of the community. The organization also assists with parades, funerals, citizen patrol throughout the city, and large public events.
Bartow Ford sponsored a team of clay shooters from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) in a charity clay shoot event held by the Tampa Bay Rough Riders, in April 2011.
Members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office team included: Major Larry Williams, Captain Kevin Widner, and Lieutenants Britt Williams and Rick Wright. Major Larry Williams also received the title of “Top Cop Shooter” for the highest shooting average of the competition.
“The Polk County Sheriff’s Office was honored to have a team, generously sponsored by Bartow Ford, participate in the Rough Riders’ 2011 Sporting Clays Tournament,” said Sheriff Judd. “I am proud of our agency members and their shooting acumen but am even more proud of their strong sense of civic duty,” he continued “The mission of the Rough Riders organization is honorable and selfless – positively impacting countless lives.”
This organization constantly perpetuates the memory of Theodore Roosevelt and the First U.S. Cavalry Volunteers, who later became known as The Rough Riders, and their involvement in the Spanish-American war. To read more about The Rough Riders’ history and events, visit www.tampa-roughriders.org
On Friday, May 27, 2011, 
