Who: Gainesville Coins, Inc. and Jeff & Carmella Garcia
What: “Collect For a Cause” Charity Program
When: 2008 Football Season
Where: GCIGOLD.COM/Charity, Coin shows around the country, Avant Gold Jewelers
Benefits: Proceeds from the sale of designated coins will be given to charity

Gone are the days when collecting coins was just a passive hobby reserved only for serious students of coin facts and characteristics. The modern day collector has expanded to include those accumulating coins for personal satisfaction to using them as a hedge against inflation and a source of ready money in difficult times. All it takes is three young entrepreneurs, 100,000 coins from their inventory, and a Tampa Bay Bucs partnership to ultimately extend the collectors’ central use of coins.

Gainesville Coins, Inc. owners Michael Yaffe, 21, Joseph Yaffe, 23, and Corey Maita, 23, have come to show that young professionals can give back to the community through the simple purchase of a coin. After starting the company in college at the University of Florida, they have grown to be one of the largest modern coin dealers in the United States. In an effort to share their recent success, they have partnered with Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Jeff Garcia and started the “Collect for a Cause” program. Proceeds from the sale of selected coins benefit the Garcia Pass It On Foundation, and America’s Second harvest of Tampa Bay and their network of over 200 affiliate food banks nationwide.

The Garcia Pass It On Foundation was established as a means to share resources with people in less fortunate circumstances. Through the foundation, Jeff and Carmella Garcia seek to give back in a tangible way to causes that are close to their hearts. Together we can make a difference by “passing on” our successes to enrich the lives of children and their families across the nation.

America’s Second Harvest of Tampa Bay and their network of over 200 affiliate food banks nationwide, operate as a massive behind-the-scenes resource that supports programs that feed the hungry. Food Banks also secure and provide food for shelters, residential group homes, after-school programs for underprivileged children, and more. Together these organizations distribute 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually, providing assistance to more than 25 million low-income hungry people, and including more than 9 million children and 3 million seniors. The Collect for a Cause program will be raising money to benefit these charities through the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla. on February 1, 2009.

“We are excited to work with Jeff and Carmella Garcia and America’s Second Harvest of Tampa Bay on the “Collect for a Cause” campaign,” said Gainesville Coins owner Michael Yaffe. “We hope that our passion for coins can positively impact those in need. The program includes coins for any level of collector, from state quarters for beginners to platinum eagles for those looking to diversify their portfolio.”

The assortment of coins will be available at www.GCIGOLD.com/Charity, as well as coin shows throughout the country. The “Collect for a Cause” program provides the opportunity to acquire genuine bullion and U.S. collector coins while contributing to the welfare of those less fortunate.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Tyler Callahan at 352.653.3009 or
E-mail at sales@gainesvillecoins.com.