15 Charities Atlas Has Supported Over the Years
Charitable giving, volunteering and supporting our community are all important to our team here at Atlas. As such, in theme with our 15th anniversary celebration, we’re humbled to recognize 15 charities we’ve supported over the years.
1. Because of Jason Foundation: Also known as The Jason Ackerman Foundation, this charity focuses on improving the lives of youth who face and/or have survived challenging circumstances through educational support and entertaining experiences.
Atlas’s CEO and President Greg Zolkos is a founding member of the Because of Jason Foundation’s board of directors. And, the Atlas team has been a sponsor and participant in many of the charity’s bowing fundraisers over the years.
2. Friends of Joshua House Foundation: Seeing a need to help foster children in the community, this organization develops resources and a family-like environment to create a source of stability and healing.
We recently partnered with eSmart Recycling on a charitable giving project to benefit Joshua House. eSmart Recycling donated 10 fully refurbished laptops and five desktop workstations, and the Atlas team donated set-up services.
3. Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision: This charity provides rehabilitation programs for people who are blind or visually impaired so they can perform tasks independently and maintain employment.
Atlas’ Market Development Director Kristin Johnson recently joined the organization’s board of directors. She’s also currently co-chairing its marketing committee.
4. OneBlood: This community organization is responsible for providing safe and affordable blood to more than 200 hospitals throughout most of Florida, parts of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Atlas frequently hosts OneBlood’s Big Red Bus at its office for blood drives. We invite our team, partners and friends to come out and give, too.
5. Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation: Fueled by volunteers, this non-profit is dedicated to finding cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, improving the quality of life of children and adults affected.
The Atlas team recently supported a local Chron’s and Colitis Foundation event and helped raise more than $30,000 of the total $82,000 raised that evening.
6. United Way Suncoast: This non-profit organization provides pathways to education and financial stability that create better opportunities for everyone in the community.
Our Market Development Director Kristin Johnson serves as Chair of the organization’s Women United’s Membership & Engagement Committee. The Atlas team also regularly hosts events to support the organization. We offer up our office space for a variety of activities, from assembling hygiene kits to hosting seminars on leadership development skills.
7. Hillsborough County Sheriff: The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency serving Hillsborough County, Florida, currently under the leadership of Chad Chronister.
Our President and CEO Greg Zolkos is an honorary deputy for Hillsborough County. And, he and other members of the Atlas team support the Sheriff’s office by sponsoring and attending clay shoot tournaments (pictured above) and other charitable giving opportunities.
8. Metropolitan Ministries: This charity offers comprehensive services like education programs, housing and food to at-risk and homeless facilities in underserved communities.
The Atlas team has volunteered time at the Metropolitan Ministries campus, assisting with cleanup. We also hosted a food and toy drive in 2021. In addition, members of our team have participated in many golf tournaments and other fundraisers supporting the charity.
9. The Humane Society of Hillsborough County: This charity provides shelter for homeless and at-risk animals, adoptions and hospital and TNVR services for the community. Members of the Atlas team have regularly volunteered at the Humane Society, helping to exercise and socialize the animals.
10. Habitat for Humanity Hillsborough County: This organization serves Hillsborough County through building and renovating homes. In 2011, the Atlas team helped paint the home of a local family.
11. The Great American Cleanup: Aimed at creating more sustainable communities, this organization and the local Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful focuses volunteer efforts through beautification and improvement projects. The Atlas team has volunteered with this charity in the past, picking up trash along a local highway and beach.
12. All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg: Formerly All Children’s Hospital, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital is a pediatric acute care children’s hospital. In 2013, our team volunteered at the annual telethon, answering phone calls and taking donations.
13. Great Cycle Challenge: Hosted by the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF), this non-profit is dedicated to ending childhood cancer. The Great Cycle Challenge started in 2015 and has raised over $39 million, with over 25 million miles ridden by the community. Our Director of Professional Services Kim Shimer has participated in this ride in the past.
14. LifeLink Legacy Fund: In collaboration with transplant centers that the LifeLink Foundation serves, the Legacy Fund supports organ and tissue transplant patients through financial assistance programs.
15. Lions Eye Institute Foundation: Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research (LEITR) is a global non-profit that provides tissue recovery services, distribution services, charitable projects and research for people who are blind or visually impaired.
We supported both LifeLink Legacy Fund and Lions Eye Institute Foundation through an event hosted by a fellow employee. Half of our team participated in a local 5K Roar Through Ybor race benefiting the LifeLink Legacy Fund and Lions Eye Institute Foundation.
