Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano Announces the Launch of "Take Stock in Children Check-off Month"

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano announces that Take Stock in Children will be the tax collector’s featured charitable organization for the month of March. Take Stock in Children’s mission is to provide a comprehensive program that combines the elements of scholarships, mentors and hope with the intent of breaking the cycle of poverty through education. Students can enroll in the program as early as the 8th grade. Take Stock in Children offers college or vocational school scholarships, volunteer mentors who provide guidance and encouragement, a college success coach to support the student’s educational success and college readiness resources and career counseling.

The Pasco County Tax Collector will promote the Take Stock in Children’s charitable check-off. While Take Stock in Children is available in all 67 Florida counties, it has a major presence in Pasco County. 450 at-risk students have been served with a 96% success rate. 95% of those students are the first members of their family to attend college. Donations will help send Pasco County students to college with 100% used for scholarships and readiness services. Additionally, 100% of scholarship donations are matched dollar-for-dollar by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

Customers who wish to support Take Stock in Children may check-off the box on their auto registration forms to contribute $1 or more to the fund. Cash donations will also be accepted by the tax collector.

“Take Stock in Children and the Pasco Education Foundation are honored to have this opportunity to create awareness of the program that offers scholarships, mentors & hope,” states Rosanne Heyser, Executive Director of Pasco’s Take Stock in Children. “Celebrating Take Stock’s 20th anniversary with the mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education, 100% of the donations stay in Pasco County and will be used for scholarships and college-readiness programs for deserving and eligible Pasco County students.”

“I encourage customers to consider supporting this excellent charity,” Tax Collector Mike Fasano suggests. “Educating the future leaders of our community is a top priority. Take Stock in Children helps those students who may otherwise not have the opportunity to move on to an institution of higher learning. Take Stock in Children has a 20-year track record of providing mentoring and related services in Pasco County. Your donation of any amount will assist children in being able to live their lives to the fullest.”

The check-off promotion runs through the month of March. Contributions to Take Stock in Children can be made at all five tax collector locations in Pasco County: Wesley Chapel, Gulf Harbors, Land O’ Lakes, Dade City and West Pasco Government Center – New Port Richey (this location is temporarily closed until March 16, 2015 due to service and equipment expansion). Contributions can also be added to renewals that are processed via the mail. For more information about the check-off promotion, please contact Greg Giordano, Director of Customer Relations, at the tax collector’s office: 727-847- 8179.

Please visit www.pascotaxes.com for additional information about services provided by the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office.