I feel that any community, organization, team or structure is only as strong as its frailest point. When we work to support, strengthen and fortify each of those points everyone and everything around us is enriched.
-Milton White
Like many of our farm families, Milton White learned early that volunteering should be a part of daily life. Growing up on a pig farm in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, civic service was something that was expected of him from a young age. And now, as a retired United States Marine living in St. Petersburg, Milton is continuing that tradition through his involvement in multiple organizations that serve his area’s veterans.
“I am extremely fortunate to be affiliated with several local organizations that focus on veteran issues in the greater Tampa Bay area, with an emphasis on Pinellas County residents,” says Milton. “I currently serve as a board member for the Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance and the Veterans of South Pinellas County associations. I am a member of the Veterans Advisory committee to Congressman Charlie Crist and the Veteran Transition Task Force initiated by Congressman Gus Bilirakis. I co-chair the St Petersburg / Bay Pines Community Veterans Engagement Board. And, I serve as a mentor in the Pinellas County Treatment Court and USFSP Emerging Scholars program. I love helping veterans!”
In his day job, Milton serves as the Assistant Director of Veterans Services and Coordinator of the University of South Florida St Petersburg (USFSP) Military and Veterans Success Center (MVSC). “The mission of the MVSC is to provide a seamless transition for our nation’s veterans and their families from military to collegiate life and beyond by enhancing personal development and academic success,” says Milton. “My efforts to accomplish this task are far reaching and bring me into contact with several local veteran support organizations. The work I love most is volunteering with our campus Student Veterans Organization and serving as their faculty advisor. Most of the work the students do is rooted in civic engagement and calls for hands on work, taking us into the community surrounding the campus providing services such as making sandwiches for local food pantries, yard and garden work for veteran homeless shelters and resource centers, and partnering with other local non-profits to house homeless or low income student veterans.”
The Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance (TBVA) was created to establish a basis for honoring local veterans. For the past five years, Milton has been volunteering in the planning, organization and execution of ceremonies the TBVA hosts on Memorial and Veterans Day.
The Veterans of South Pinellas County (VSPC) holds several small fundraisers and one big “Salute to Service” event each year to fund programs which support veterans and first responders. Milton volunteers on the planning and execution committee for these events, and also helps out on other initiatives.
When Milton isn’t helping the veterans of Pinellas County, he is hanging out with them. His favorite Cabot cheese is Pepper Jack.
Milton will be accompanied by his wife Tawania.
