Most of you know Advanta IRA Services is a retirement plan administrator serving clients across the nation. We are successful in our profession—personally providing administration of over $700 million in client assets held in self-directed IRAs. However, besides striving to provide unsurpassed service in our industry, we also strongly believe in building meaningful relationships within our community, and Advanta IRA Services gives back . By doing so, we hope to achieve our continuing endeavor—strengthening our community as a whole by helping others.
With that in mind, our firm has once again decided to support the Florida guardian ad litem (GAL) program this holiday season. Last year, we supported the GALs by collecting and matching gift card and cash donations for the youth representatives. This year, our team is collecting toys for the children the guardian ad litem program represents.
Advanta IRA Services’ Managing Partner, Jack Callahan, is himself a guardian ad litem in Florida. “I have participated in my local guardian ad litem program for a number of years—and while sometimes it is hard to see these children caught up in the system, I am grateful for the opportunity of making a difference in their lives as their representative,” Jack says. Often these children are either displaced from their homes or involved in extremely unpleasant situations during the holidays, for birthdays, or other special occasions. “We are collecting toys for these children in the hopes of offering a bit of happiness to their lives during such trying times that no child should have to go through.”
According to The State of Florida GAL program, “Thousands of abused and neglected children become the subject of judicial proceedings each year in Florida through no fault of their own. The State of Florida Guardian ad Litem program trains and certifies citizens to represent the best interests of their assigned child(ren).” GALs volunteer their time to fulfill life-changing obligations—representing the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court deprivation cases. Through hard work and dedication, GALs provide independent recommendations to the courts in the best interests of the children.
We are kicking off our toy drive at our annual client appreciation event on December 10 at the Chart House in Tampa. Clients and guests are asked to bring an unwrapped, new toy to the event. Advanta IRA Services plans to match each toy received with a $10 cash donation to the guardian ad litem program. By doing so, we hope to raise awareness of the FL GALs and the importance of the program to youth who are involved in the system.
You do not have to be a client or attend the event to participate in our toy drive. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact our office to find out how. We are making it as easy as possible for community members to join us in making a difference in the lives of children in distress. While many toys collected before Christmas will be given for that purpose, toys will also be accepted after the holiday season to be given as birthday presents or gifts for other special occasions.
For more information about taking part in our toy drive, please contact us.
