Dads’ Club Kicks Off New Year Texas Hold’ Em Style!
If you are a poker fan, you don’t want to miss the Dads’ Club’s first event of the year.
On Saturday, Jan. 28, both the skilled and amateur poker player will be invited to participate in a good, old-fashioned Texas Hold ’Em tournament! The venue is the Silks Poker Room at Tampa Bay Downs and the dealing begins at 4 p.m. sharp. All proceeds benefit Westchase Elementary and the winner can expect to walk away from the table with up to $800 cash! More details will follow, but seating is limited to the first 40 players to ante up the $50 buy-in. If you want in, R.S.V.P. to westchasedadsclub@gmail.com. This will be a really enjoyable afternoon for dads especially, and we’ll be raising a lot of money for the school while we’re at it!
The Dads’ Club is also proud to have participated in Santa’s Pre-Flight Parade last month. Thanks to all who acknowledged us along the parade route! The sore throwing arm and the numb butt were well worth it! We enjoyed it so much that we already have plans to graduate to a full blown float in 2012.
Keep your eyes out for the invite!
By Eric Holt
Dads’ Club Raises Bucks for Veterans Day
The sky was the limit for excitement during the Dads’ Club’s outing to the the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Clearwater last month. The club is pleased to announce that they raised over $1,100 for Westchase Elementary School’s Veterans Day program!
Speaking of the event, Dads’ Club member Phil Montiegel stated, “Seeing the excitement on my girls’ faces when they were sitting in the [vulgarity] of a C-130 was awesome and meeting the pilots was a real privilege.”
The Dads’ Club would like to thank all who supported our efforts by joining us on that rainy but rewarding day!
Other fall events for the Dads’ Club included participation in Westchase’s 20th Anniversary Party on Oct. 29.
In November the club will lend a hand with the Fall Festival on Nov. 4 and will show its ongoing support of the Westchase Community Association’s Movies in the Park series.
You can stay informed about club activities by joining our e-mail group. Simply forward your contact information to westchasedadsclub@gmail.com.
By Eric Holt, Dads’ Club President
Dads’ Club to Tour Coast Guard Air Station
On Sunday, Oct. 9, the Westchase Elementary Dads’ Club will be making a very special trip. They’ll be traveling to the U.S.’s largest Coast Guard Air Station, located in Clearwater.
Once there kids and parents are going to learn about the critical missions that take place at the busiest air station in the country. In addition to checking out the station’s amazing planes and helicopters, participants will also have the chance to board some of them!
The idea for this trip came about last fall, when the Dads’ Club was asked to donate to the school’s Veterans Day program. At the time, the club agreed to match the funds raised through the program, which amounted to $120. The dads, however, believed that they could do better than that in 2011. They decided to do something that would both raise more money for this year’s program while also teaching their children about the Coast Guard’s valor and critical life-saving support for Americans. “This really is a unique opportunity to wow our kids with some very impressive aircraft equipment, in addition to teaching them the values of duty and respect,” explained Dads’ Club Vice President David Tanner.
Because the number of participants will be limited for this trip, reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost of the trip is $20 per person, with all proceeds going directly to the Westchase Elementary School Dads’ Club Veterans Day fund-raising program. Tickets include bus transportation to the station, as well as complimentary snacks and beverages. The bus will depart from Westchase at 11:45 a.m. sharp and return at approximately 3:30 p.m. This program is recommended for children 5 and older.
R.S.V.P.s can be submitted to westchasedadsclub@gmail.com.
By Eric Holt, Dads’ Club President
Westchase Dads’ Club Announces 2011-2012 Board of Directors
As we head into another school year at Westchase Elementary, the Dads’ Club will continue to provide parents with an excellent opportunity to enjoy quality time with their children.
And they’ll manage to do this while raising funds to assist the school. Don’t miss out on your chance to stay tuned and enjoy the fun! Send us an e-mail at westchasedadsclub@gmail.com so that we can keep you informed. Supporting your little Wizards and their educational experience couldn’t be easier!
Name: Eric Holt
Title: President
Born: Nashua, NH
Village: Radcliffe since 2007
Employer: Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Children: Graham, 7, and Reid, 5
“Having the opportunity to enjoy time with my boys is something that I never want to take for granted. Finding fun ways to support Westchase Elementary and the community at-large is a great way to teach them the value and benefits of social responsibility. I’m looking forward to another rewarding year with the Dads’ Club!”
Name: Marc Holtzberg
Title: Vice President
Village: The Bridges since 1998
Born: Columbus, OH
Employer: Catalent Pharma Solutions
Children: Daniel, 13, and Adina, 9
“I have been involved with the Westchase Dads’ Club for eight years now and this has fostered wonderful relationships and experiences with my kids. In turn, this also has taught my children to give back to the community and has instilled the good feelings that come with volunteering within the community for any worthy cause. I have seen the school be built and the Dads’ Club grow from a few volunteers to a great school asset. No project is too big or small for our dad volunteers and I am very proud to be a part of it.”
Name: David Tanner
Title: Treasurer
Village: Radcliffe since 2004
Born: Vero Beach, FL
Employer: Southeast Personnel
Children: Sean, 9
“Westchase Elementary and the Westchase community have been so important to both my son and my family that I wanted to find some way to give back. I thought that the Dads’ Club gave me the opportunity to do just that for the community and specifically Westchase Elementary. Westchase Elementary is one of the strongest – if not the strongest – schools in the Hillsborough County public school system and they need our support to continue that. The Dads' Club looks forward to an exciting and active year filled with lots of activities designed to do that and more.”
Name: Phil Montiegel
Title: Secretary
Village: Radcliffe since 2004
Born: Shawnee Mission, KS
Employer: CACTUS Software
Children: Maggie, 8, and Lucy, 5
“If you haven't time to respond to a tug at your pants’ leg, your schedule is too crowded.”
Name: Joaquin Arrillaga
Title: Director
Village: The Greens since 2006
Born: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Employer: Self-employed
Children: Amanda, 9, Viviana, 5
“Teaching your children responsibility for their community is done by example and there’s no better way to do it than helping our kids and promoting their education. Come and cooperate. Join us during all the fun activities we will have during the year. Our kids will be grateful. Yours will be proud.”
By Eric Holt, Dads’ Club President