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Welcome to the Florida District of Pilot International!Our rich heritage of Pilot Friendship and Service began in 1927 when the Pilot Club of Pensacola, Florida was chartered. We have grown from the Gulf shores of the Florida Panhandle to the Atlantic shores from Jacksonville to Miami. By 1988 the number of clubs in the Florida District had multiplied so dramatically that Florida became one of only three Districts in Pilot International to adopt regionalization. Originally organized into six districts, at the District Convention in 2006, Florida Pilots voted to reduce the regional districts to five: Northwest, Northeast, West Central, East Central, and South. Since 1927, Florida has been the home District of five International Presidents, including Ruby Newhall, for whom a scholarship program for international students is named. Florida has been the host District for eleven International Conventions, beginning with the tenth International Convention held in Pensacola in 1931. Throughout the years, Florida Pilots have vigorously supported a wide range of community service projects dealing with brain-related disorders. Many are local projects that meet the unique needs of a particular community. Many are worldwide projects that have been the focus of Pilot International. For example, many Florida Pilot clubs embraced the Pilot International trademarked Brainminders Program. This program educates young children about the importance of brain safety. Teen and elder care programs illustrating the dangers of brain injury are currently being developed. The Florida District is now teaming up with the Epilepsy Foundation who promises to provide bike helmets to be dispensed through our local Pilot Clubs. Project Lifesaver, an international program that provides tracking devices for bracelets worn by Alzheimer's patients and, in some communities, autistic children, is being funded by many local Pilot Clubs who in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies provide this service to a very vulnerable population. We are particularly proud of our support of the Youth Division. Florida boasts the second largest Anchor membership and is one of only seven Districts that support a District Anchor Organization offering leadership opportunities for high school students. Florida Anchor Clubs and Anchor Sponsors are consistently recognized for their community service in this very important youth organization. The Pilot Scholarship House Foundation most notably distinguishes the Florida District. This foundation, chartered in 1962, answered the need for a statewide project that all Florida Pilots Clubs support. Partnering with Southern Scholarship, the Pilot Scholarship House Foundation sponsors low-cost housing for deserving young women attending the University of Florida, Florida State University, and Florida Gulf Coast University. Since its inception, thousands of Scholarship house residents have been able to further their education. New volunteers are always needed to grow our organization and help meet local community needs. If you are a current Florida resident or are moving to Florida and would like to enrich your life with important community service, consider visiting a local Pilot Club. Our rich tradition of friendship and service is waiting to be shared. Joyce Centrella |
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