Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 19, 2001
Americans may not be in a partying mood this holiday season.
An example: The 34 employees of a Clearwater investment advisory company decided to forgo their annual holiday bash and give the money to local charities that make the holidays happier for others.
ProVise Management Group president Ray Ferrara said the idea grew out of a hallway conversation. Some employees were concerned about the difficulties local charities face because the focus on victims of the Sept. 11 attacks has left less money available for other causes. By eliminating the holiday party, they will be able to donate $4,000.
"We would have had a very nice cocktail party and dinner of some type for employees and spouses to get together," Ferrara said. "We went to employees and said, 'We'll go whichever way you think is the best way to go.' One-hundred percent of the people said, 'Let's donate the money.' "