Nonprofit Spotlight: Family First

Every Tuesday, Patch features a different nonprofit organization.

This week, we talked to Bekah Brinkley at Family First, an organization that promotes marriage and raising children, and is supported by former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy.

Patch: What is the purpose or mission of the organization?

Brinkley: The mission of Family First is to strengthen the family by establishing family as a top priority in people's lives and by promoting principles for building marriages and raising children.

Patch: Who founded it, and what year?

Brinkley: Family First was founded by Mark W. Merrill on January 8, 1991 under the name Florida Family Council, Inc. doing business as Family First.

Patch: What are some activities that the organization has been involved in around Tampa Bay? Are those primary fundraisers for the nonprofit?

Brinkley: We host an annual Tampa Father & Kids Experience held at Raymond James Stadium. During the three-hour event, dads and kids rotate through stations and participate in interactive games designed to strengthen their relationships and deliver useful fatherhood tips. To date, we have held eight FKEs in the Tampa market. This event is not a fundraiser.

We also host an annual Challenges and Champions Dinner and Awards night, which serves as our primary fundraising event.

Patch: Why is the organization important for communities like Carrollwood and Northdale?

Brinkley: Our All Pro Dad’s Days and iMOM Mornings in elementary schools provide parents an opportunity to be intentional with their kids and connect on a heart level. The All Pro Dad program seeks to inspire and equip fathers to be actively involved in their children's lives. Similarly, our iMOM program seeks to equip mothers with information, ideas and encouragement to positively impact their children.

We also provide the Family Minute with Mark Merrill daily radio feature that offers practical, everyday advice on marriage, parenting and family relationships. The broadcast can be heard on 316 mainstream stations, Sirius XM satellite radio, the Armed Forces Network, and on several international stations as well.

Patch: How can members of the community get involved if they want to donate or volunteer?

Brinkley: Members of the community can get involved by starting an All Pro Dad’s Day chapter or an iMOM Morning chapter at their child’s school. More information about starting a chapter is available on our websites (http://www.allprodad.com/teamcaptain/ and http://www.imom.com/morning/start/).

For donations, go to our website.