America II employees make a difference mentoring, giving donations

In 1998, America II Electronics, Inc. Executive Vice President Chuck Magee and Director of Purchasing Maria Magee began donating supplies to Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services (PEMHS), a state-funded organization promoting the mental health, family functioning, and development of adults and children in the bay area. It wasn't long before Chuck Magee joined the organization's board of directors. But the Magees wanted to do more. When they asked what else they could contribute to the organization, the answer was clear: PEMHS needed good role models for the children it serves, many of whom are awaiting foster care placements or undergoing treatment through PEMHS. "Immediately I thought, what better way to recruit mentors than through the America II employees?" Maria Magee recalls, and the America II/PEMHS Mentoring Program was born. Since implementing the program, Magee has conducted quarterly, company-wide calls for mentors.

Over the years, America II volunteers and the children they mentor through the America II/PEMHS Mentoring Program have attended Tampa Bay Buccaneers games as guests of the Glazer Foundation.

The America II volunteers engage in individual and group mentoring activities with the children from PEMHS, filling their evenings and weekends with everything from bowling parties to Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Lightning games and trips to the circus. Since 1998, America II has sponsored children during the holidays by hosting parties and enlisting the help of all employees to fulfill the children's holiday wish lists. "Not all of our employees can mentor due to their own family and personal commitments, but activities like sponsoring the PEMHS children at holiday time allows everyone to get involved," explains Magee. Year round, the entire America II family continues contributing by donating clothing, reading material, and computer equipment to the organization. The company even has a PEMHS Fund from which they have purchased therapeutic aids, clothing, sports equipment, and a flag and flagpole that now fly in front of the PEMHS facility, helping to impart the values of patriotism to the children post-September 11. "The employees of America II have really opened up their hearts to these kids. It's very rewarding for everyone involved," affirms Magee. In 2001, PEMHS presented a PACE Award (Business Division) to America II in recognition of the America II/PEMHS Mentoring Program.