Our Partners

CITGO

At CITGO, our vision, mission and values guide everything we do. These fundamentals keep us grounded, inspired and motivated to conduct our business in a way that makes everyone proud.

Education and Social Investment

Through knowledge, communities are equipped to achieve long-lasting sustainability. That’s why we support educational social initiatives that create meaningful impact while addressing some of today’s biggest societal barriers. Our investments aim to empower people who contribute to the progress and economic growth in their own local communities.

Bess The Book Bus has been a part of the CITGO Fueling Good® since its’ inception in 2009.  We believe “Where You Go Matters” Every time you fill up at your locally-owned CITGO, you help us give back to the communities we serve across the country. We believe that Bess The Book Bus helps make a big difference in kid’s lives.
Bess The Book Bus was in our 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.  Check out page 24.

From quality fuel and exceptional service provided at locally owned CITGO stations to the continuous fundraising and community efforts of local CITGO employees, Marketers and Retailers, doing good is in our DNA.

CITGO

Townsend Press

We have been proud to call them our partners since 2010. Townsend Press is an independent publisher of acclaimed educational materials for students in elementary school through college.

Their singular focus is summed up in their motto: “Helping you help students learn.”

Townsend Press is committed to helping students develop the reading, writing, and language skills needed for success in the classroom and beyond. All facets of our company–our student-friendly print and digital materials, our reasonable prices, our industry-best customer service, and our many special offers, donations, and community partnerships–support this core mission: we want to help students thrive.

Townsend Press

Community Foundation of Tampa Bay

The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay has been growing philanthropy in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties since 1990. Whatever good you are inspired to do, we are here to help you do it.

Community Foundation of Tampa Bay

Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz Vans USA donated the current incarnation of Bess the Book Bus, a 2011 Mercedes- Benz Sprinter 3500.

The new Bess The Book Bus will also be a customized Mercedes Benz, with a lift for the Bess-Bus-Carts and reinforced shelving.

Mercedes-Benz 

Rays + Rowdies Foundation

The Rays Baseball Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need within our community, focusing primarily on education, youth development, wellness and social responsibility. Key contributors to the foundation include Rays owners, players, corporate partners, fans and employees.

Bess The Book Bus also supports the Reading With The Rays Program

 

Rays + Rowdies Foundation

Publix Supermarket Charities

Publix Super Markets Charities

Our mission at Publix Super Markets Charities is to endeavor to meet the needs of the people in our community. To that end, we commit to being dedicated to the dignity and value of the human spirit—helping strengthen it to overcome adversity, determined to offer people hope and a choice for the future, and devoted to the highest standards of community involvement as demonstrated by our founder George W. Jenkins.

 

Lightning Foundation

In 2011, Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, along with his wife, Penny, launched the Lightning Community Hero program, which is a collaboration of the Vinik Family Foundation and the Lightning Foundation, to distribute $10 million to deserving Heroes and non-profits throughout the Tampa Bay community over a five year period. At each of the Lightning’s 41 regular season and playoff home games for the past four seasons, the Lightning Community Hero program has been honored to celebrate a local Hero and donate $50,000 to a non-profit charity of his or her choice. In the first five years of the program, we have shared the stories of 220 deserving Heroes at all of our home games and the Lightning Community Hero program, supported by the Vinik Family Foundation and the Lightning Foundation, has distributed funding to over 400 local charities, totaling $11,100,000 since the program’s inception.

Lightning Foundation

Capstone

Capstone

Helping children develop a love of reading and learning, no matter their ability level, is at the heart of what we do at Capstone. Our passion for creating inspired learning has made us the most trusted publisher of children’s books and digital solutions for libraries, classrooms, and consumers for 25 years. Capstone’s content comes in a variety of print and digital formats including board books, picture books, interactive books, apps, audio and databases. Whether print, online, or new, yet-to-be-discovered formats, Capstone provides children and young adults with the content they love.

Altrusa International of Tampa Bay

Altrusa International Inc. is an international community service organization dedicated to making our communities better through leadership and service.

Altrusa International of Tampa Bay

United Way Suncoast

​United Way Suncoast fights for the education and financial stability of every person in the community through educational programs that give children the skills to succeed, helping adults achieve long-term financial stability and activating caring individuals through volunteerism. We are proud to serve the people of DeSoto, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties by operating and funding services and programs to help create a stronger, more vibrant community.

United Way Suncoast

 

The John and Christine Tortorella Family Foundation for Giving Back

The John and Christine Tortorella Family Foundation for Giving Back

The John and Christine Tortorella Family Foundation for Giving Back, was created to enable our family to reach out to more children in disadvantaged situations, to help others who work to improve the lives of these children and their families, and to help those who protect children, animals and our environment from harm.

We believe that reading and writing skills are the cornerstones to a good education, and that exposure to music and art encourages the creative process in children. Our own literacy program, Enlighten Your World … READ! is our personal commitment to reach out and encourage the interest of children in reading, writing, music and art.

Children’s Board of Hillsborough County

The Children’s Board invests in partnerships and quality programs to support the success of all children and families in Hillsborough County.

Children’s Board of Hillsborough County
Suncoast Credit Union Sponsor's Bess

Suncoast Credit Union

Suncoast Credit Union is a credit union headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The credit union formed in 1934 to originally serve teachers in Hillsborough County and later expanded to serve school employees within the state’s suncoast region.

Suncoast Credit Union

Pinellas Community Foundation

Pinellas Community Foundation (PCF) seeks innovative and effective solutions for Pinellas County’s most challenging social, environmental and educational issues. PCF is the only charitable foundation of its kind solely dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all Pinellas County residents. It is only through the generosity of our donors that this work is possible.

Pinellas Community Foundation

Jazzercise Tampa Lutz Fitness Center

Jazzercise Tampa Lutz Fitness Center

Jazzercise is the original dance party workout. Blending dance with Pilates, yoga, kickboxing and strength training, one 55-minute session can burn up to 800 calories. The results? Long, lean muscles and an undeniable mood boost.

They have been supporting Bess The Book Bus for over 10 years. They raise and give us thousands dollars every year. We are so happy to call them friends!

The Spurlino Foundation

Established in 1986 in Florida, the Spurlino Family Foundation is philanthropic to children’s services and higher education.
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The selection of books they [students] have been given is so diverse and relevant for my learners! This has been incredibly important because my students have not had access to the public libraries or the school library at all. This partnership has given them an opportunity to discover their own reading identity and develop a love for literacy!

– Mrs. Jennifer Robinson

5th Grade Teacher – Booker T. Washington Elementary School

Thank You From the Bottom of Our Heart to All!

Interested in becoming a partner?

Become a Bess the Book Bus Partner!

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