Let's Help!

There are four points to the DECA diamond: Academically Prepared, Professionally Responsible, Experienced Leaders, and the one that is arguably the most important, however, often the most forgotten, Community Oriented.

We all, both our chapters and us as individuals, benefit from the support of the community.  Business members from the community volunteer their time to judge at competitions and our advisors devote their “free time” to traveling with us to various conferences.

As a successful organization and members of the community, we have a responsibility to aid those less fortunate and contribute to the common good of society!

This past year, you, the members of Florida DECA donated over 10,000 pieces of clothing and over 16,000 boxes of Mac & Cheese to Seminole County Families in Transition!  The rest of Team 54 are continuing this Helping Hands project and growing it to have even a larger impact on the community.

Many chapters around the state have their own community service projects that they do throughout the year.  Back in November, I went to a walkathon that Spanish River DECA was hosting.  Typically for walkathons or 5K events, there is an admission charge to sign up for the race and the money then goes towards a charitable organization.  What made this event unique was that instead of an admission charge, everybody was required to bring in 10 cans of food which would then be donated.  This one amazing chapter donated 7,200 of cans of food to a local charity, Boca Helping Hands!  It was such a great event with vendors and music and everyone dressing up like super heroes (I was Batman). 

I encourage all of you to participate in community service projects both through Florida DECA (Helping Hands) and on your own and to Make It Count!

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