Sumter County Chamber selects Take Stock in Children as outstanding non-profit organization

LEESBURG — Take Stock in Children Serving Lake and Sumter Counties was selected as the 2011 Outstanding Non-Profit Organization of the Year as presented by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce during their Annual Meeting and Installation Dinner on Jan. 20 at Lakeside Landings in Oxford, Florida.

The dinner, attended by local and state dignitaries, including Rep. Marlene O’Toole, is held annually to recognize outstanding businesses, citizens and volunteers in the Sumter County area.

“We appreciate this recognition from the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, as well as the support that they continue to provide in meeting the needs of the students and families of Sumter County,” said Bryan Hoover, Program Manager for Take Stock in Children.

Take Stock in Children, a program of the Educational Foundation of Lake County, identifies financially at-risk students in the eighth grade, provides them with a mentor and an advocate and then rewards them at high school graduation with a college tuition scholarship. The program currently serves 147 students in the Lake and Sumter counties.

For Information on volunteering, mentoring or funding opportunities at Take Stock in Children Serving Lake and Sumter Counties, e-mail hooverb@lake.k12.fl.us.