The Rotary Club of New Tampa Noon has been involved with PET Tampa (Personal Energy Transportation) for over two years.  Rotary is an international service organization whose primary objective is eradicating Polio.  We focus on service projects that are both local in our communities and abroad, with the motto “Service Above Self."

From the start, PET was a perfect project for our Rotary Club to focus on.  Our group has been involved in everything from sorting clothes, painting, building, welding, and packing the wheelchair like vehicles.  I love when Rotarians bring their family to the workshop, so not only are they helping, but they are showing their children what it means to serve and help others.  Additionally, the children receive service project hours that are needed for school.  It’s really a win-win situation.

Our Rotary Club also has donated money, clothes, water jugs, toothbrushes and other toiletries, toys, empty pill bottles, and so many other things that are packed with the PET, as it finds its way across the world.  It is amazing how things are so insignificant to us, yet means so much to those in need.  In fact, it has been cited by Jeff Sukup, that the heavy duty staples that are used to seal the boxes are often used as fishing lures by its recipients!  How amazing that even the smallest item in the box is used.  Nothing is wasted.

I encourage you to come out and support PET by volunteering, donating, and letting others know that this project exists.  You can help change someone’s entire life (and that of their family) by spending a little time and effort to help build a PET.

Lori E. Hakeem
President, Rotary Club of New Tampa Noon

USF Bulls S.E.R.V.E. (Students Engaged in Reflective Volunteer Experiences) is a part of the CLCE (Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement)  program at USF which provides the structure and resources to prepare students to become productive citizens in today's society. The Center fosters lifelong service and civic participation by engaging the University with its greater community through educational programs, workshops and conferences, and community service and service-learning opportunities. It serves as a resource for students, faculty, staff and the community. 

PET Tampa is grateful to the students that have dedicated their time in the workshop.  There are many other local projects to choose from, including HOPE Lodge at Moffitt Cancer Center, Shriner's Hospital for Children, Trinity Cafe, and many more, so the choice of PET Tampa is greatly appreicated!

Our Vision:  Every adolescent will have the opportunity to meet Jesus Christ and follow Him.

Our Mission:  Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.  We accomplish our mission by:

• Praying for young people
• Going where kids are
• Building personal relationships with them
• Winning the right to be heard
• Providing experiences that are fun, adventurous and life-changing
• Sharing our lives and the Good News of Jesus Christ with adolescents
• Inviting them to personally respond to this Good News
• Loving them regardless of their response
• Nurturing kids so they might grow in their love for Jesus Christ and the knowledge of God's Word, and become people who can share their faith with others
• Helping young people develop the skills, assets, and attitudes to reach their full God-given potential
• Encouraging kids to live connected to the Body of Christ by being an active member of a local congregation
• Working with a team of like-minded individuals - volunteers, committee members, donors, and staff