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HOLBROOK, N.Y. (May 8, 2018) — American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (AP), a privately-held, independent broker/dealer that provides services and support to financial advisors throughout the country, continues its long-standing support of World T.E.A.M. Sports (WTS) with the 2018 Face of America (FOA) bike ride, which took place April 27-29, 2018.
WTS is a non-profit organization that for the last 25 years has remained true to its mission to “change lives through sports.” AP has actively contributed its time and resources each year to events that join able-bodied and adaptive men, women and children to accomplish physically-challenging feats they never dreamed possible. 2018 marks AP’s 11th FOA bike ride, which covered more than 111.8 miles from Washington, D.C., to the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pa., over the course of two days. With weather playing a major factor in the experience of FOA, the first day was comfortable, yet overcast; this gave way on the second day to sunny skies, yet unseasonably cold temperatures and 20-mile wind gusts to top it off, making for one of the more challenging—and memorable—rides FOA has ever encountered.
Vice President of Business Services Maria Zarb, a first-time FOA rider for Team American Portfolios, relates, stating, “It was one of the hardest—and most rewarding—experiences that I’ve ever had. It was inspiring to meet so many veterans and civilians, from all over the world, who helped to push us through every mile. The teams really care about each other and are extremely dedicated to the cause. It was a truly great experience that I will never forget.”
The ride included more than 600 cyclists, 100 of which are adaptive athletes—many of whom are active duty military personnel, U.S., Canadian and European military veterans, including one from Kosovo. Among the riders were 61 AP staff members, affiliated financial advisors, and business partners and/or friends of the firm.
“It is the energy and enthusiasm of these 61 team members and volunteers that makes these events an integral part of AP’s culture,” says David Rey, AP financial advisor and captain of Team American Portfolios. “Supporting those with disabilities and our injured veterans who have fought for our freedom is a true honor.”
Team American Portfolios earned the distinction of being the top fundraiser for the 2018 WTS FOA, raising more than $100,000 in charitable donations, with two of the firm’s affiliated financial advisors ranking among the Top 5 Overall Fundraisers: George Elkin ($10,325) and Edward Levine ($10,010).
“I strongly feel it’s of the utmost importance to leave a noticeable footprint locally, nationally and even globally,” states AP CEO and WTS Vice Chairman Lon T. Dolber. One of six tenets outlined in AP’s strategic plan for growth is social responsibility. Dolber encourages the firm’s affiliated colleagues and staff members to be good corporate citizens, both in their community and the world-at-large. “By sharing my enthusiasm and dedication to organizations such as WTS my hope is people will find a charitable cause that speaks to them and find a way to make a difference.”
This year will see the firm’s continued participation in the WTS Adventure Team Challenge (ATC) in Harris, N.Y., from June 7-10, 2018, which engages medically-fragile, developmentally-challenged teens and young adults from The Center for Discovery during a weekend of competitive team sporting events; and the Coastal Team Challenge (CTC) on Aug. 14-15, 2018, a two-day, 16-nautical-mile, non-competitive kayak journey along the coast of Long Island, N.Y., with participating athletes from the Independent Group Home Living Program. In the fall of 2018, AP will also be participating in the second annual FOA Liberty Ride, which—like the FOA—honors military veterans who have been injured or disabled during their service. The Liberty Ride welcomes adaptive and able-bodied participants who ride along a route that begins at the United States Military Academy at West Point and travels south along the Hudson River to One World Trade Center in Manhattan.
About American Portfolios
Headquartered in Holbrook, N.Y., American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS) is a full-service, independent broker/dealer and member firm of FINRA and SIPC, offering a complete range of financial services, including personal financial and retirement planning, securities trading, mutual funds, access to investment research, long-term care planning, insurance products and tax-free investing. Fee-based asset management is offered through its sister subsidiary, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., (APA), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Both entities, along with technology entity American Portfolios Advisory Solutions, LLC, collectively reside under the legal entity American Portfolios Holdings, Inc. (APH). Full-service securities brokerage is available through a clearing firm relationship with Pershing, LLC, a BNY Mellon firm, the securities of which are held on a fully disclosed basis. The company currently serves 816 independent investment professionals located in 372 branch locations throughout the nation. It was named Broker-Dealer of the Year* (Division III) by Investment Advisor magazine in 2015, 2016 and 2017, as well as one of the Top 10 Best Companies to Work for in the state of New York for 2016, 2017 and 2018 by the New York State Society for Human Resources Management (NYS-SHRM) and the Best Companies Group (BCG).
*Based on a poll of registered representatives conducted by Investment Advisor magazine. Broker/dealers rated highest by their representatives are awarded “Broker/Dealer (B/D) of the Year.”
About World T.E.A.M. Sports
World T.E.A.M. Sports (WTS) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization chartered in North Carolina and headquartered in Holbrook, N.Y. Since 1987, WTS has organized athletic events for disabled and able-bodied citizens—mountain climbing, white water rafting, bicycling and more. Their mission is to change life through sports. WTS uses athletics to challenge people to accomplish goals they once deemed impossible. Through every WTS event, participants with disabilities build their self-confidence and enhance their physical fitness. During athletic challenges, disabled and able-bodied participants learn to work together as a team to overcome physical, emotional and technical challenges. Annual WTS events include: Adventure Team Challenge, Coastal Team Challenge, CanAm Veterans’ Challenge, Face of America and Sea to Shining Sea.
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