The Hitt’em Over The Heart Charity Award

The Hitt’em Over The Heart Award is a monthly program
dedicated to giving back to charities and organizations in need. Every month, the employee with the most bonus points gets the opportunity to choose an organization, and The HOTH contributes on that employees behalf.

• Girls Who Code Girls Who Code provides after-school programs and summer camps to help girls learn about computer science and programming. “Despite programming being one of the highest in-demand industries, women only hold around 25% of these jobs. I’ve seen the stellar women at The HOTH be just as technically-minded as men, and there is no reason for women to be passed over for these roles. It is my hope that Girls Who Code will continue to encourage young women to enter the tech sector and close the gender gap in our industry, and that our dontation helps them with that mission.” September 2018 Jason Gill Chief Technology Officer

• The Arts Conservatory for Teens The HOTH donated to ACT, a local St Pete organization that helps provide at risk youth an outlet through different forms of art. “I had the pleasure of working with them on a project and really loved the organization and what they’re doing for the community. I love that they let kids express themselves through various forms of art including music, dance, and painting. I hope that this donation helps The Arts Conservatory for Teens to organize a performance for their students to participate in.”   August 2018 Danielle Davis Video Production Manager

• Alpha House The Alpha House of Pinellas provides housing and supportive services to homeless pregnant women and families experiencing crisis pregnancies. “This local charity supports pregnant women, teens, and infants with housing and life skills training. I wanted this money to help vulnerable people, and Alpha House strives to help homeless women who are in crisis. 90% of the women in Alpha House’s residential program transition successfully into permanent housing and independent living. I hope this money will go towards helping to improve the quality of life for local women and children who need assistance.” July 2018 Ziev Beresh Content Manager

• Mercy For Animals The HOTH donated to Mercy For Animals to help prevent cruelty to farmed animals and to promote compassionate food choices and policies. “I recently finished a book about the meat industry and am concerned about the impact cattle farming has on our environment as well as the questionable ethical methods used. The Mercy For Animals team are advocates for farm animals and work for their rights. I hope most of this money goes towards their investigative practices. There is nothing better than forcing a giant, powerful, corporation to straighten their act and take responsibility!” June 2018 Stephen Reilly Customer Support Specialist

• American Cancer Society The HOTH donated to help American Cancer Society free the world from cancer. Funds go towards conducting research, and spreading the word about prevention. “Personally, I have had several family members and friends both suffer from and pass away from cancer. The HOTH has also had many team members with family who suffers from cancer or has already passed away from cancer. Our owner Marc Hardgrove and team member Andrew Hardgrove recently lost their father Hans Hardgrove to cancer as well. I am hoping that the money will go to towards research and spreading the word about prevention.” May 2018 Mackenzie Logan Director of Sales

• St. Petersburg Free Clinic St. Petersburg Free Clinic is a multi-service human services agency providing our community neighbors assistance with food, shelter and health care. “I wanted to donate locally to give back to the city that has given so much to me. The city of St. Pete has such a wonderful community and St. Petersburg Free Clinic constantly devotes their resources and time to facilitate that. The organization also has a perfect charity rating score, making it one of very few in the nation with that distinction. I hope that this donation will assist as many people as possible cover their basic needs of food, shelter, and healthcare.” April 2018 Alize Luft Community and Culture Coordinator

• Puppies Behind Bars The mission of Puppies Behind Bars is to train prison inmates to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans and explosive detection canines for law enforcement. “I chose this charity to honor a very special veteran in my life who has recently passed away. My Grandfather, Arch Shealy Sr., passed away recently at the age of 98. His heroism has been a huge inspiration in my life. Like him, the veterans that this charity serves risked making the ultimate sacrifice for our countries freedom! I hope this money can go towards helping as many veterans as possible get the service dogs they need.” March 2018 Ashley Shealy HOTH X Team

• Florida FIRST Robotics Education Foundation The HOTH donated to help inspire young people to learn science, engineering, and technology skills. “When I was in high school I participated in the FIRST Robotics program and it changed my life. I still enjoy volunteering with the organization each year! Donations to the organization help run the FRC Orlando Regional. This is an annual robotics competition that brings student FIRST Robotics teams together from not only Florida, but all around the world, to compete! “ February 2018 Jessie Poen Production and Development Manager

• Florida Dachshund Rescue Florida Dachshund Rescue aims to rescue, rehabilitate and place rescued dachshunds into permanent and loving homes. “I chose the organization because my mom actually works with the organization! FLDR rescues dogs that have been abandoned or that families have given up. They help the dogs find new homes and it avoids the dogs being put down. My family fosters some of the dogs until they get adopted into a great home. I hope my donation will help FLDR get more resources to help rescue dogs! “ January 2018 Skyler Kulesa Sales Development Representative

• Loggerhead Marinelife Center Loggerhead Marinelife Center helps preserve the ocean’s ecosystem with a focus on rehabilitating sea turtles. “I hope that this donation is used for any new equipment or facility improvements that may be needed! Growing up next to the ocean, with the Loggerhead center basically in my backyard, I’ve had a close connection to the ocean’s ecosystem and what we can do to improve it. I’ve visited the center since I was younger and I’ve even seen a couple of the sea turtles getting released back into the ocean. They gave me great memories that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.” December 2017 Rebecca Simpson Customer Support Team Lead

• Shelter Dogs With Jobs The mission of Shelter Dogs with Jobs is to save, train, and place homeless working dogs in forever homes and careers. “I knew this donation would go to a great local organization and one that would greatly help homeless working dogs. I also know that this organization is very good at making sure the dogs are properly matched to a career and home that they will be in for the rest of their lives.” says Amy. This organization will take in these “working dogs” and match them with a home and a career! Not only are the dogs benefiting from their home and career but the community as well.” November 2017 Amy Tribolet Content Marketing Coordinator

• Creative Clay Creative Clay helps people with disabilities by providing expressive, educational and vocational experiences. “I chose Creative Clay because I really believe in their mission. They help people with disabilities, those in institutional settings, veterans, and children express their artistic abilities through educational and vocational activities. Our donation helps sponsor one artist for a 6-month program that pairs them with a professional artist mentor. They are also given the opportunity to collaborate with their mentor and create visual and performance art! :)” October 2017 Gabbie McConnell Account Manager

• Carlton Manor The HOTH contributed to redesign of the Carlton Manor website and provided new athletic shoes to children.

• The New Secret Santa The HOTH donated to helping underprivileged children as a part of LinkNow’s Secret Santa Campaign.

• As They Gathered The HOTH purchased a box truck to help transport food to feed the homeless. We also have staff members regularly volunteer at the food shelter.

• Charity Water Charity Water helps provide clean water to people in developing countries.

• HOTH Scholarship The HOTH Scholarship supports education in marketing.

• VFW Veterans of Foriegn wars provides support to service members, veterans, and their families.