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“I have always felt a strong sense of responsibility to give back to the community that has supported me throughout my life.”

Every morning, I put on my walking shoes and head out the door of my home in Tarpon Springs, a tiny, close-knit community near Clearwater Florida. I wave hello to my neighbor, who waves back and greets me in Greek, and walk to the quiet sanctuary of the Shrine of St. Michael where I sit and breathe in the incense – a peaceful start to a busy day, and then continue on to town for a pastry and a cup of thick, rich, dark Greek coffee. I know everyone in town by name, and most of them have known me since childhood.

Being a part of a community like this is a privilege, and not one I take for granted. I might say the same for the larger community of Tampa Bay, which has embraced me and helped me build my business into the success it is today. Giving back through philanthropy (like my support for Joshua House and dozens of other local charities) is one step I take towards supporting my city. But I also work daily to strengthen and develop the local economy by bringing together business owners, powerful people, movers and shakers, and helping them see the value in working together – and with non-profit organizations – to build their enterprises.

Being a community leader doesn’t always mean running for political office – for me, it means everything from helping a new college grad land his first job, to organizing relief efforts after a hurricane, to teaching business owners how to partner for mutual benefit. All of these actions, big and small, result in improving and building my community.

Tammy in the Community

I have always felt a strong sense of responsibility to give back to the community that has supported me throughout my life. When hurricane Andrew came through, laying waste to so many homes and families, I felt pulled to help in the ways I could. Using my previous experience from owning an international shipping company, I knew how to arrange for a truck to transport donated necessities to those in need, and before I knew it, I was focusing on publicizing the need for donations also. In short order, I was able to organize the collection of a full truckload of much-needed items and deliver them to Andrew’s victims. I continue to think of ways to benefit my local community both by taking part in more than twenty charities, and by finding independent ways to positively impact foundations that help our city thrive.

In the past few years I have devoted my Birthday to benefit select local charities. Now in its fourth year, Tammy Levent’s Annual Birthday Bash has grown to over 400 guests, all of whom come to both celebrate with me, and join me in supporting Joshua House – a safe haven for abused, abandoned, and neglected children. Joshua House is a cause very close to my heart, and I feel privileged to be able to put together an event that helps them. But my annual party also serves the small business owners in my community, because many of them come to network over TammyTinis, forming partnerships and relationships that strengthen everyone. Last year we raised more money for Joshua House than expected, and this year we hope to aim for an even higher mark. However, Joshua House is not the only local charity for which I give my support.

I am also involved with Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, USF Women in Philanthropy, The American Cancer Society, Mental Healthcare, Inc. Foundation, The National Network of Ending Domestic Violence, The Tampa Crisis Center, The Academies for Educational Excellence, and the Young Women’s Leadership Symposium, All Children’s Hospital, Tampa Bay Beautification, Tampa Feeding America, Hands Across the Bay, One in a Million, Bacchus Charity, Girl Scouts of America, Ruth Eckerd Hall and the arts, among many more.

Tammy Levent, Founder of It’s My Bag, Awarded Dottie Berger MacKinnon Wings of Inspiration Award

Growing up in Tampa Bay, and realizing how my community has always supported me, I see it as my responsibility to take on helping others with as much passion, determination, and creativity as I use to run my business.

When hurricane Andrew laid waste to so many homes and families in 1992, recovery efforts, especially in the early days after the disaster, were far too slow.

From having owned an international shipping company, I knew how to arrange for a truck to transport donated necessities to those in need, so I did. Soon, I also found myself publicizing the need for donations. Using every resource and connection I had, I quickly organized the collection of a full truckload of much-needed items and delivered them to Andrew’s victims. See, Strategic Partnerships aren’t just for promoting your business – the same ideas can do a tremendous amount of good when times get tough.

Strategic Partnerships have also helped me turn my Birthday into an annual benefit for local charities that also serves the small business owners in my community. Many of them come to network over TammyTinis, and leave having formed partnerships and relationships that strengthen the local economy.

The most recent Tammy Levent’s Annual Birthday Bash grew to over 400 guests, all of whom joined me in supporting Joshua House – a safe haven for abused, abandoned, and neglected children. Last year we raised more money for Joshua House than expected, and this year we hope to aim for an even higher mark. However, Joshua House is not the only local charity I support.

I am involved with Friends of Joshua House, Ruth Eckerd Hall for the Arts, United Way, Miracles Outreach Program, A Children’s Place, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, USF Women in Philanthropy, The American Cancer Society, Mental Healthcare, Inc. Foundation, The Tampa Crisis Center, The Academies for Educational Excellence, and the Young Women’s Leadership Symposium, All Children’s Hospital, Tampa Bay Beautification, Tampa Feeding America, Hands Across the Bay, One in a Million, Bacchus Charity, Girl Scouts of America, Ruth Eckerd Hall and the arts, among many more.

Tammy Levent Shares her Birthday to Benefit Joshua House

Once again, that business diva, author, and philanthropist, Tammy Levent, hosted her birthday bash to benefit those less fortunate than herself. In a week full of media appearances, corporate responsibilities, family crisis, and even her father’s birthday, Tammy and her closest friends managed to pull off another successful event. Held at the beautiful Fisker, Jaguar, Spyker showroom on July 21st, Tammy hosted 300 friends and supporters to an evening filled with a Greek themed fashion show, exotic belly dancers, a VIP harem, silent and live auctions, and yummy eats from Tampa Bay’s famous Acropolis. All to celebrate her birthday, yet she never had a moment to party. She worked from dawn to midnight to make it all happen. In true Tammy Levent style, she asked her friend, Dr. Cesar Lara, to have his most successful weight loss clients model Greek inspired fashions from Lending LUXURY. These ladies and gentleman were over the top proud to strut their stuff to a crowd of cheering guests. From the red carpet greeting with her signature Tammytini to the room filled with decadent chocolate dessert, all the way to the cigar bar, Tammy’s mission was to raise money for her favorite charity, Joshua House. You might ask what inspired Tammy Levent? When her daughter, Katie, was 16 years old, she volunteered and sang for the children at Joshua House. As a single mother, struggling to raise her own children, Tammy watched in amazement as the Joshua House children’s faces lit with joy at her daughter’s live performance. She never forgot the day that she witnessed her daughter make such an impact on abused, abandoned, and neglected children. She vowed that when her business was successful she would make every effort to give back to Joshua House too. Now in its fourth year, Tammy uses her own personal birthday celebration to raise funds for her mission; to make a difference in the lives of the children at Joshua House. She accepts no presents, only gifts of sponsorship and support towards her cause. She even has her travel agency provide fabulous trips for the auction and throughout the year she gives 2% to Joshua House when people book their travel through Elite Travel and refer to Joshua House at their booking. Although the party is long over, Tammy isn’t done yet; she is even offering more vacation packages for auction through September 1st. With three trips available, and all proceeds going towards Friends of Joshua House Foundation, it is a win-win opportunity. Call our office for details on how to bid for all inclusive vacations to Greece, Secrets Wild Orchid and Hard Rock Punta Cana. Sincerely, DeDe Grundel

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