Dear Potential Partner
Please join us for a weekend full of entertainment as we embrace unity in the community. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a vision for our nation that all men are created equal; this vision can only be achieved through the individual and collective courage of us all.
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Palmetto Youth Center will host its annual oratorical contest on Thursday, 6:00 p.m., January 5, 2023, in the Eddie Shannon Building. Students from middle and high schools in Manatee County are invited to participate. Friday, 6:00 p.m., January 13, 2023, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet will be held in the Seymore Sailes Gymnasium. At noon Saturday, January 14, 2023, we will host our Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. The theme this year is: “Dream It. Plan It. Do It.” Immediately following the parade, we will host a talent show in the Seymore Sailes Gymnasium at 4:00 p.m. Our celebration will conclude with our community-wide Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Church Service in the Seymore Sailes Gymnasium on Sunday, January 15, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
We invite you to become a sponsor. Printed or digital advertising space is available. All funds raised will be used to continue to strengthen the Palmetto Youth Center and the community through structured educational initiatives, dedicated mentoring programs, and specialized athletic and character-building activities. We need your support. Your sponsorship is an investment into making a difference in a student’s or family’s life. Please review the enclosed order form describing available sponsorship and advertising opportunities. You may complete the sponsorship form and return it along with your payment to the Palmetto Youth Center, P.O. Box 608, Palmetto, FL 34220 or submit payment via PayPal, located on palmettoyouthcenter.net. All sponsorship forms and payments must be received by January 1, 2023.
Thank you for your continued support!
Reggie Bellamy
Executive Director
Thank You To Our Sponsors
MLK Oratorical Competition Sponsorship
Thursday, January 5, 2023 @ 6 PM
Palmetto Youth Center
Eddie Shannon Building
In Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. each year the Palmetto Youth Center hosts an annual oratorical contest “#UnitySpeaks” for middle and high school students throughout the surrounding counties. The contest is comprised of a written and an oral component. Each first place winner will receive $150 and a computer and printer. Each second place winner will receive $100, and each third place winner will receive $75. Winning entries from the middle and high school categories will present at the Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet.
#UNITYSPEAKS SPONSOR – $4,000
- Stage Recognition at #UnitySpeaks
- Logo designated on all #UnitySpeaks signage and event displays
- 1⁄2 page advertisement in the commemorative Souvenir Booklet
- Branding video played during #UnitySpeaks Finalist Program (must be 60 seconds or less and video provided by sponsor)
- Company’s name and logo displayed on PYC website (MLK event page & homepage)
- Recognized on all social media outlets
STUDENT AWARDS & RECOGNITION SPONSOR – $3,000
- Company’s name and logo displayed on PYC website (MLK event page & homepage)
- 1⁄4 page advertisement in commemorative Souvenir Booklet
- Recognized on all social media outlets
TECHNOLOGY SPONSOR – $2,500
- Company’s name and logo displayed on PYC website (MLK event page & homepage)
- 1⁄4 page advertisement in commemorative Souvenir Booklet
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION BANQUET
Friday, January 13, 2023 @ 6 PM
Palmetto Youth Center
Seymore Sailes Gymnasium
Sponsorship Information
PRESENTING SPONSOR – $15,000 (1 AVAILABLE)
- Sixteen (16) tickets to MLK Banquet
- Exclusive live mentions from stage
- Two (2) minute onstage opportunity to greet and welcome the audience during MLK Banquet
- Right to activate a co- branded promotion utilizing PYC logo (subject to approval and at the sponsor’s expense)
- Four (4), Fifteen (15) second company spots through digital media during MLK Banquet
- Two (2) promotional tables (six foot) at PYC Talent Show after Parade
- Full page advertisement in the commemorative Souvenir Booklet
- Sponsor logo and link featured on event website
- Featured on all PYC MLK weekend print media elements
- Featured in the PYC MLK social media strategy
- Recognition in all PYC MLK weekend press releases
- Sponsor logo will be included in all promotional evites
- Sponsor logo on all PYC MLK Weekend Step & Repeat Signage
PLATINUM SPONSOR – $8,500 (1 AVAILABLE)
- Twelve (12) tickets to MLK Banquet
- Two (2), Fifteen (15) second company spots through digital media during MLK Banquet
- One (1) promotional table (six foot) at PYC Talent Show after Parade
- Full page advertisement in the commemorative Souvenir Booklet
- Sponsor logo and link featured on event website
- Featured on all PYC MLK weekend print media elements
- Featured in the PYC MLK social media strategy
- Recognition in all PYC MLK weekend press releases
- Sponsor logo will be included in all promotional evites
- Sponsor logo on all PYC MLK Weekend Step & Repeat Signage
GOLD SPONSOR – $5,000
- Eight (8) tickets to MLK Banquet
- One (1) promotional table (six foot) at PYC Talent Show after Parade
- 1⁄2 page advertisement in the commemorative Souvenir Booklet
- Sponsor logo and link featured on event website
- Featured on all PYC MLK weekend print media elements
- Featured in the PYC MLK social media strategy
- Recognition in all PYC MLK weekend press releases
- Sponsor logo will be included in all promotional evites
- Sponsor logo on all PYC MLK Weekend Step & Repeat Signage
SILVER SPONSOR – $2,500
- Eight (8) tickets to MLK Banquet
- 1⁄4 page advertisement in the commemorative Souvenir Booklet
- Sponsor logo and link featured on event website
- Featured on all PYC MLK weekend print media elements
- Featured in the PYC MLK social media strategy
- Recognition in all PYC MLK weekend press releases
- Sponsor logo will be included in all promotional evites
- Sponsor logo on all PYC MLK Weekend Step & Repeat Signage
PALMETTO YOUTH CENTER AMBASSADOR – $1,500
- Sponsor branded logo on social media as a PYC MLK Ambassador
CORPORATE AND NON-PROFIT PARTNERS – $1,000
- Four (4) banquet tickets to MLK Banquet
- Company’s name listed in MLK Souvenir Booklet
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARADE INFORMATION
Saturday, January 14, 2023 @ 12 PM
Palmetto Youth Center
Theme: Dream It. Plan It. Do It.
2023 Parade Important Dates
Applications to be submitted on or before January 7, 2023 – standard entry fee
Applications submitted between January 2 – January 7 – $25 late fee
Parade Entry Close Wednesday, January 7, 2023 at 6 P.M.
Make Checks Payable to: The Palmetto Youth Center
The assembly area for parade participants will be located in the parking lot of Lincoln Middle School off of 17th West in Palmetto. The entry point will be on 2nd Ave East at the first gate entering the parking lot. All participants are expected to arrive and check in at the entry gate no later than 11:15 a.m. The parade will begin promptly at noon traveling west on 17th Street.
The Palmetto Youth Center accept parade entries based on an overall show of appropriate entertainment value. Understanding that a parade is an entertainment medium, the contribution of each unit to this concept is critical. Therefore, the use of a theme, artistic beauty, use of color, originality, rider personnel, costumes and visual appeal all come into play in determining the acceptability of the entry. The safety of parade participants and spectators is our primary concern. This is our goal and your cooperation is anticipated and appreciated. Each entry and participant is subject to immediate dismissal from the parade and for any action or actions deemed to be in violation of the parade rules or deemed to be an unsafe action or activity.
