Here: Vets Launch Fundraising Campaign to Save Parade
and here: Veterans Day Parade organizers say public support needed
That is a story unto itself and is covered in another post wherein the complete press conference is posted. The following post describes an example of community attitudes regarding honor and respect for our community veterans. This post is about Capital City Bank. In another post we will be mentioning other local business who profit from veterans, but appear to have little interest in seeing a successful veterans day parade in Tallahassee.
First we need to preface the following with the statement that this writer is speaking as an individual and not a representative of any organization. Those who have followed this site know that we involve ourselves in a number of rights issues, with veterans issues a priority. The opinions expressed as always are our own and are not representative of, or speaking for, any other organization or individual.
On June 28, 2012 while trying to raise funds for an event to help raise more funds for the Tallahassee Veterans day Parade my last stop of the day was the Capital City Bank Branch on Monroe street, downtown Tallahassee: Following is a blow by blow description of my visit there written as soon as I returned home:
From: r c <rgnostic@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 5:45 PM
Subject: Do not get your blood pressure up.
To:
I hit Sunshine state bank. They were nice. Lady to talk to will be in Monday, hopefully. They will have package on her desk and I can contact her. Went to Capital City Bank. Again, get a coke, chill, enjoy. Do not get your blood pressure up.(Note: Sunshine Bank also refused to donate)
So I go in and ask the receptionist who I should speak to about a donation. A lady named Patty who just went into the elevator but should be back down. So I said I would wait and took a seat. Not long after taking a seat, the lady does come back down and goes into her glass office next to which I am sitting.
Somehow, another gentleman with a desk near the receptionist comes over and says he can get the information from me. I hand him info (with tax numbers, website and officer phone numbers) minus flyer which I explained I had just given last one out. I asked if he was familiar with vet inc. His answer, No.
I asked if he remembered when the Veterans day parade was rained out? He said no. So I gave him a brief explanation, including how in the past the Veterans day parade was relegated to back streets while Springtime Tallahassee and others were able to go down Monroe street and Vet inc changed that, and he could find more on the website.
He was unaware the Veterans Day Parade had been relegated to the back streets and wanted to know what the parade offered tallahassee that would earn it a position on Monroe. I asked if he was a veteran. His response No.
I advised that neither was I but that I kind of felt that veterans provided a service much more valuable to all of us than Springtime Tallahassee or the Christmas parade.
He suggested that maybe the parade should be given back to the city and held on the back streets until they proved a benefit worthy of main street.
By this time we were at his desk and I asked him for a card. He couldn't find a card and scribbled his name, Ryan, I believe on a piece of torn paper. He then asked me if I had an account with them as they were more likely to business with people who did business with them.
I asked their rates and explained to him that I use a Federal Credit Union that offers lower rates.
By this time we had moseyed back by the office of the lady I thought I was supposed to talk to initially.
He began to instruct me on the type of package I should put together when approaching for money. I advised him all the info could be found on the website and he could also call you (President of Veterans Events Tallahassee). I also invited him to a VET Inc meeting where he could be helpful instructing us on the appropriate ways to raise funds. I told him where and when it was held. He was not aware of these locations until I asked him if he had seen the helicopter by Lake Ella. He thought he had.
I asked him at some point in time if he did not think veterans should receive the same treatment as Springtime Tallahassee. He reiterated, as he did on a number of occasions, that we should give the parade back to the city. I went into a brief explanation as to how the reason the Vets took the parade from the city as compared to other towns Tallahassee has a poor record regarding how they treat their vets. I offered to have myself and/or Joe West come to the bank and give a brief presentation on Veterans issues in Tallahassee. I brought up the Patriot Guard. But he did not know who they were either. So I explained their mission.
He wanted to know what they would get for their money. I told him the 200 gig and then said a 1000 donation would get you the front of the shirt .
Keep in mind much of this was taking place outside the glass windowed office w/ open door of the lady I was originally supposed to speak to. I did look over and caught her looking at us and smiling.
The conversation ended w/ he will give the info to a committee I reached out my hand to shake his. He had something in his hand and said this is not for you. I said I understand, I was only attempting to shake you hand. Which he finally did.
NOW, this experience for me does nothing but validate and affirm what I have been wasting my time blogging about for years. It may have even sent me over the edge as I am contemplating action that will guarantee enough publicity to put the spotlight on the attitude that is increasingly demonstrative of an exceedingly ungrateful country that needs an ass whipping.
SOOOOO.... having said that might I suggest you get in touch with that new fund raising lady and have her contact Capital City bank forthwith. If she chooses she can apologize for my inept incompetence and ignorance regarding the hoops one must jump through to get support for veterans, such as opening up a bank account????????
I truly believe there is a community awakening opportunity here that can send a clear picture that enough is enough.
I am totally insulted that I had to deal with a dweeb ignorant to the fact that he would even have a bank job were not for the fact that people died fror his ass.
Begging for honor and respect owed is not a path that Sun Tzu would choose. I want to fight these bastards. But will hold by tongue for the weekend at least.
But consider the following, I could make such a scene that the news would have no choice but to cover a major local business/bank (they are not to popular you know) ignorance. You may not get their support, but guarantee ya people would take their money out of that bank and other businesses would climb on board quick.
Of course that will mean I have run amok. But hell somebody's got to do it.
Luv ya bro, I stood outside a non veteran thinking oh my God, if i feel this bad over what just happened how bad must a vet feel. I apologize for my country to all of you!
P.S. Don't you get all angry and go down there by yourself. Call me. I can afford a blood pressure spike!
--
rc
Let Freedom Reign
vote them all out
It was agreed that this writer would not raise hell and play nice, until at least until after our fund raising event. There was also dissent regarding just how far this should be taken out of fear of alienating other potential contributors. Finally, we had our event and the following was sent all officers of Capital City Bank:
-----Original Message-----
From: r c [rgnostic@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 04:05 PM Eastern Standard Time
To: Smith, Bill; Barron, Tom; Davis, Kim; Allen, Tom; Canup, Ed; corum.beth@cbgg.com; Englert, Mitch; Hallock, Brooke; love.karen@ccgb.com; Moor, Bill; Sharpton, Randall; West, Ed; Thompson, Dale
Cc: rcarroll@ccrcpa.com; dausley@ausley.com; dan@thelandgroup.us
Subject: Capital City Bank and Veterans
From: r c [rgnostic@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 04:05 PM Eastern Standard Time
To: Smith, Bill; Barron, Tom; Davis, Kim; Allen, Tom; Canup, Ed; corum.beth@cbgg.com; Englert, Mitch; Hallock, Brooke; love.karen@ccgb.com; Moor, Bill; Sharpton, Randall; West, Ed; Thompson, Dale
Cc: rcarroll@ccrcpa.com; dausley@ausley.com; dan@thelandgroup.us
Subject: Capital City Bank and Veterans
(Following will be forwarded to directors)
Date: 8-15-2012
To: Officers and Directors of Capital City Bank, Tallahassee, Florida
From: rc, writer, publisher, investor, advocate
From: rc, writer, publisher, investor, advocate
As you are probably aware, three years ago a not-for-profit organization, Veterans Events Tallahassee (http://veteventstally.org/) , was formed to take over the area Veterans Day parade After years of being relegated to the back streets of the Capital culminating in the parade's cancellation in 2009 due to rain, you can imagine the demoralization our community's military veterans being treated in such a manner after honorably serving their country. They could not understand why our community did not show them the honor and respect that others such as Springtime Tallahassee received by properly funding the parade and allowing it to take place on Monroe Street.
In order to remedy this sad state of affairs, Veterans Events in Tallahassee, Inc was formed by a small group of veterans and their supporters and has assumed the lion's share of the cost of putting on the Veterans Day Parade, which once again takes place on Monroe Street . Due to the efforts of VetEventsTally, the parade has drawn in excess of 35,000 people to honor and show respect for our troops the last few years. As I am sure you are aware, most organizations of this nature fund their activities through events and donations.
As committee chair for our only fund-raiser to support the 2012 Veterans Day Parade, I recently approached a local branch of your bank, located at 217 N. Monroe Street. Though initially I was told I would be speaking with a “Patty(?)”, I spoke instead with a young man named Ryan Poole about a possible partnership between Capital City Bank and VetEventsTally as I was certain that Capital City Bank would be interested in showing support and respect for our community's veterans through vigorous support of the parade. How wrong I was.
Rather than advise me about the proper procedure for funding requests from your organization, Ryan seemed uninterested in helping the parade and at one point in the conversation wanted to know what the parade offered Tallahassee that would “EARN” it a position on Monroe Street. He did not seem to feel that the sacrifices made by our community's veterans were sufficient to earn a parade honoring their service a place on the main street of our city and was more interested in what Capital City Bank would receive in return for their donation than in supporting a parade to honor those who have scarified so much in service to this country.
I explained that VetEventsTally recognizes and thanks all of its sponsors publicly in as many ways as possible and that Capital City Bank was welcome to participate in the planning meetings for the parade, which are open to the public and held in the American Legion building on Lake Ella Drive. Ryan seemed more interested in getting me to leave as quickly as possible than in learning how Capital City Bank could help honor and respect those who have written a personal check to this country for the full value of their lives in order to protect freedoms for all of us – including your obviously disrespectful and unappreciative employee, Ryan Poole.
Ryan's lack of awareness or caring about community affairs led me to offer to have the President of VetEventsTally come to the bank and give a presentation relating to our efforts and obstacles. I also requested Ryan come to a meeting of VetEventsTally and provide information on how to best approach your bank, or any bank for help. He showed no interest in either option.
I left your bank empty-hand, disappointed and disillusioned. I find it hard to believe that an organization such as Capital City Bank, which prides itself on community involvement and participation condones the attitude displayed by you employee Ryan. I write this letter today to make you aware of the situation and in hopes that you will make the situation right by supporting the Veterans Day Parade and affirming that our community's veterans do indeed deserve a parade on Monroe Street honoring their sacrifice and commitment to our country.
There are many who have worked tirelessly for the last three years to ensure that this community shows its respect by putting on the best possible parade for our veterans. They do it not for pay or recognition - but because it is the least we can do for those who would have – or in the case of Gold Star families – HAVE – given their lives for us. I would like to think that the encounter I had with Ryan Poole is not typical of the attitude towards veterans at Capital City Bank and that you will join us in supporting our community's veterans – not because your name will be on a float or a banner or a t-shirt (though it probably will....) but because it is the right thing to do for those who have done so much for you.
Regards,
Regards,
--
rcLet Freedom Reign news
http://
shareholder
Almost immediately upon receipt of the letter, it is our understanding that Capital City Bank gave Veterans Events Tallahassee $500.00. We can not swear by that number.
What this writer will stipulate is that this donation is nothing but hush money to placate Veterans Events Tallahassee in order to keep word from getting out that Capital City Bank is not that concerned with Veterans Issues. Of course that is conjecture on our part and we only arrive at that conclusion based on the published 2011 donations to community organizations reprinted here from their website here, https://www.ccbg.com/communities-cbb-foundation-grant.htm:
Building communities by enhancing the quality of life.
List of Former Grant Recipients
At Capital City Bank, we pride ourselves on strengthening the communities where we live. As a result, our Foundation has funded a diverse group of organizations over the years. These include:
Spring 2011
| ALACHUA |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| Autisim Oasis for Kids |
| Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics |
| BIBB |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| Boy Scouts of America, Central Georgia Councuil |
| Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia |
| Macon Area Habitat for Humanity |
| Rebuilding Macon |
| Theatre Macon |
| BRADFORD/CLAY |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| Arc of Bradford County |
| Communities in Schools of Bradford County |
| CITRUS/INGLIS |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| Citrus Hearing Impaired Program Services |
| Nature Coast Ministries |
| The Path of Citrus County |
| United Way of Ctirus County |
| DIXIE, GILCHRIST, SUWANNEE, LEVY |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| Dixie Education Foundation |
| Village Art Studio |
| GRADY |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| American Red Cross, Georgia Wiregrass Chapter |
| Grady County Fine Arts Project |
| Grady County Habitat for Humanity |
| Plantation Trace Dance Council |
| HERNANDO/PASCO |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| Arc Nature Coast |
| For Each 1 Reach 1 Mentoring Program |
| Habitat for Humanity of Hernando County |
| Junior Achievement of West Central Florida |
| Pasco-Hernando Community College Foundation |
| Standing Tall for Veterans |
| YMCA of the Suncoast |
| JEFFERSON/MADISON |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| Main Street Monticello Florida |
| LEON |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| The Alzheimer's Project |
| American Red Cross, Capital Area Chapter |
| America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend |
| Big Bend Habitat for Humaity |
| The Boys' Choir of Tallahassee |
| Capital City Youth Services |
| Chosen for a Purpose |
| Communities in Schools of Leon County |
| Elder Care Services |
| Florida Sheriff's Association |
| James Madison Institute |
| Leon County 4-H |
| Leon County Humane Society |
| Literacy Volunteers of Leon County |
| New Destiny Church of Christ in Heaven |
| Oasis Center for Women and Girls |
| Office of the Public Guardian |
| Operation One Voice, North Florida |
| Southern Scholarship Foundation |
| Tallahassee Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association |
| Tallahassee Community Chorus |
| Tallahassee Watercolor Society |
| Theatre A La Carte |
| TROUP/CHAMBERS |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| H. Grady Bradshaw Chambers County Library and Codd Memorial Archives |
| Lanier High School Historical Society |
| New Horizon Community Theatre |
| Valley Haven School |
| WAKULLA |
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness, Wakulla Chapter |
| Wakulla Academic Boosters, Inc |
Count if you will, the number of Veterans Organizations listed as recipients in 2011. Now count the number of arts and other similar types of organizations that received donations. "Tallahassee Water Color Society?", "Theatre A la Carte?", "Village Art Studio?"
However noble such organizations may be, one might wonder how they take precedence over the lives of those who have served and died so that they may exist. We have to wonder how many of Capital City Banks shareholders are aware of this situation and we have to wonder how many veterans knowing this information would do business with such an organization?
Now we can not dictate what a "corporation" does or does not do with their money. If they are comfortable having success in a free country provided them by people who died for their privilege to profit from their expense, well then, that is on their conscience. After all this is a free country. Which also means YOU are free to tell them where to put it and take your money someplace that appreciates the lives sacrificed for OUR freedoms!
See Related Posts:
Tallahassee Businesses that refused to support veterans day parade
The full Veterans Events Tallahassee Press conference
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