As the holidays arrive, our already crowded schedules explode with more demands on our time. When you own a business, balancing those commitments can be even more of a challenge. With all the holidays demand, it’s important to take time to slow down and show those around you how much they mean to you. From friends and family to neighbors and customers – there is much to be thankful for - and many in our community can use an extra blessing. For these local leaders, taking time to give back to the community at the holidays isn’t optional – it’s an essential way to show thanks to the community for their support.
Amanda Hart
Amanda Heart and the Nature Coast Roofing Solutions team spend endless hours throughout the year helping customers protect their largest investment – their home. When her team isn’t replacing or repairing roofs, they’re excited to give back to the community they call home. “I grew up in New Port Richey, this is where our roots are. It’s important to us to give back to the community that supports us,” shared Hart.
For Amanda, it isn’t about the size of the gesture, it’s more important to jump in and give back, “Pick an event that’s important to you and get involved, even if it’s volunteering. It’s not always about writing a check!”
This season Amanda has several holiday projects planned, including supporting school bus drivers by stuffing their break room.
Austin Burkett
Austin Burkett, owner of Burkett ACE Hardware and Burkett ACE Handyman Services, spends the year providing products and services that help people turn their house into a home. The community that surrounds them is their lifeblood, and they support it in kind. “We are a community business, we live here, we shop here. Giving back to the community that supports us only feels right,” explained Burkett.
Austin looks for organizations that are actively doing good in the community and can show the results of their efforts. They recently donated to PACE School for Girls in Pasco when they were in need of food for their participants. “Find a cause that you feel strongly about, meet with them and see if you can build a relationship,” shared Burkett.
Lindsay Williams
Lindsay Williams is always the life of the party! She and the team at SWAG Party Rentals and SWAG Marketing spend their days making life fun for the community. When they aren’t setting up parties for others, they’re bringing blessings to their community.
While Lindsay and Team SWAG give back to the community in innumerable ways, their most rewarding efforts are through supporting youth-based organizations. “Giving back is at the heart of our beliefs. We give because we think it is important for creating a true community, but we have found that when you give, it comes back tenfold,” shared Williams.
Their holiday efforts this year will be focused on holiday food bags for kids in the One Community Now Pack-a-Sack program through their non-profit, Love Generously.
Andrew Hewitt
Andrew Hewitt and his wife Jenny, owners of Caliper Wellness, focus on the mental health and wellness of others all year long. They are always looking for ways to lift up others in their community, knowing that working together for the greater good makes everyone stronger. “It helps those in need while keeping us grounded,” shared Hewitt.
The Caliper team supports a number of organizations that support its core values. They have partnered with the West Pasco Business Association (WPBA) for 10 years, supporting their Bowling for Boobs fundraiser annually that supports those in our community impacted by cancer. For the holidays, they will be supporting the How the Grinch Saved Christmas event to benefit local families who have faced hardships through no fault of their own.
Stephanie Woods
Stephanie Woods is always cool, calm and collected. And not just because she owns Airheads HVAC. She rests easy knowing the good she brings to our community, whether through affordable HVAC repairs and replacement or the many ways the Airheads team lift up those in need. “It’s so important to give back to the community that has supported us from the beginning. We will never be able to repay this community,” shared Woods.
Stephanie supports many community efforts, including Metropolitan Ministries, Children's Cancer Center, HubLife Charities, Trinity Chat Charity, Grace’s Food Pantry and Portico Housing, among others. “Give back because you want to. If you do it for the right reasons, you benefit in more ways than the charity. It’s the most rewarding thing we do,” shared Woods.
William (Billy) Major
For Billy Major, his focus is always on collaboration in his role as Social Service Liaison at Pasco County Sherrif’s Office. “Our deputies see Pasco citizens at their worst moments. The Sheriff has graciously given me an opportunity to serve in a unique capacity that bridges law enforcement with community engagement,” shared Major.
When serving the community, Billy lets his personal faith be his guide, “St. Paul beautifully wrote (and certainly lived out), ‘For though I am free from all men, yet I’ve made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.’”
While Billy and the Pasco County Sherrif’s Office support a number of community initiatives, Major is particularly honored to collaborate with the Veterans Administration and support the many veteran-based organizations in our community.