Charity: Tampa's Fox-13 to Broadcast Distorted Report

Charity: Tampa's Fox-13 to Broadcast Distorted Report

Florida Jaycees, Inc. Accuses Tampa's Fox-13 of Sweeps-Week 'Desperation'

TAMPA, Fla., May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa television station WTVT Fox-13 plans to broadcast a distorted news report at 10 p.m. this evening regarding a public bench program managed by Florida Jaycees, Inc., a non-profit organization, according to Andrew Moos, public seating coordinator for Florida Jaycees. The public seating program provides more than 5,000 benches, primarily at bus stops, in the Tampa Bay area.

The Florida Jaycees public seating service project began more than 50 years ago to promote non-profit community organizations and public service messages.

"Fox-13 has stooped to an act of sweeps-week desperation by drumming up criticism of our charitable activities," said Moos. "Our charity's public seating program serves the needs of senior citizens, disabled citizens, charities and churches, and is especially strong in minority communities."

According to Florida Jaycees, the organization has provided more than 13,000 public benches to communities in Florida, with approximately 90 percent located along public transit routes.

The public seating program is funded in part by the placement of paid displays on a small portion of the benches, according to Florida Jaycees. According to the organization, less than 20 percent of the benches contain any advertising.

A promotional advertisement aired on Fox-13 on May 9 stating, "some city leaders want to know who's making all the money selling this advertising."

"The answer is no one," said Moos. "This is not a money maker for us. Though, some outdoor advertising companies would like to take away the benches to turn a profit. A handful of ads allow our program to help hundreds of charities. Since we receive no public funds, we must raise some revenues to maintain public benches and offer free ads to non-profits."

More than 350 non-profits in Florida have benefited from the public seating program in the form of donated advertising space or monetary contributions including Joshua House, the Child Abuse Council, Tampa Organization of Black Affairs, the National Association for Hispanic Elderly, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Abe Brown Ministries, Inc., and Hispanic Achievers.

Florida Jaycees, Inc. is affiliated with the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) and gives young people between the ages of 18 and 39 the tools they need to build the bridges of success for themselves in the areas of business development, management skills, individual training, community service, and international connections. Florida Jaycees played a key role in the formation of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Tampa Jaycees, Inc. helped bring professional football to Tampa Bay by attracting several national exhibitions to the area.

Jaycees helped establish AirMail services in America with Jaycee Charles Lindbergh, and have raised millions of dollars for causes such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the March of Dimes. They have built parks, playgrounds, hospitals, ball fields, and housing for the elderly while conducting service and support programs in thousands of communities nationwide.

Past Jaycees include former presidents Bill Clinton and Gerald Ford, Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan, registered nurse and former Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko-Wilson, and basketball great Larry Bird.

Source: Florida Jaycees, Inc.

CONTACT: Andrew Moos of Florida Jaycees, Inc., +1-813-748-5515

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