Business partners honored

We hear it all the time: Schools can't do it all alone. They need kids who care, parents who participate, community support. Business partners play a key role, donating money and supplies, allowing their employees to volunteer in schools, and more.

Late last week, Florida Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith announced the state's top business partners for 2008. "The support of these businesses is having a direct impact on the educational advancement of Florida's students," Smith said in a release. "I applaud them for taking such a vested interest in the lives of our children and ensuring their continued progress towards a bright and successful future."

The Tampa Bay area honorees were: Bright House Networks and Chick-fil-a in Hernando; KB Home, Tampa Tribune-News in Education and World of Westchase in Hillsborough; Connerton Community Council and Dade Trolley Tours in Pasco; and Family Resources Inc., First Advantage Corp. and Morton Plant Mease Health Care in Pinellas.

To see the full list of Commissioner's Business Recognition Award recipients, click here. To learn more about how businesses can participate in education, click here.