Karen Mertes Awarded the Spirit of Philanthropy Award | Learn about her Mission & How You Can Get Involved

Throwback to when The Suncoast Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals honored Karen Mertes with the 2014 Spirit of Philanthropy award presented during their annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon at the A La Carte Pavilion.  The Spirit of Philanthropy award is “presented to an individual, group or family that has recognized a charitable need and developed a unique approach to advancing philanthropy in the community.  The award recipient exemplifies the spirit of giving above and beyond.”

Sharing from the National Philanthropy Day program, “National Philanthropy Day, officially celebrated on November 15, is the special day set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy – and those people active in the philanthropic community – have made in our lives, our communities and the world.”

To read the entire write-up click here.

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To lend a helping hand in the 2019 Spring Chari-Tea Event, please e-mail karen.mertes@yahoo.com or karen@fulfillyourdestiny.org.

For more about Fulfill Your Destiny’s Mission, click here!

Throwback Interview with Karen Mertes on Bay News 9

Karen Mertes, Founder and President, Fulfill Your Destiny, a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving on behalf of the Traumatically Brain Injured in Tampa Bay honored as a Bay News 9 Everyday Hero in 2012.

“As my life hung in the balance after a tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver, I promised to spend the rest of my life helping others if I were to survive.”

Visit http://fulfillyourdestiny.org/ to make a donation and to learn more about this Tampa non-profit.

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Karen Mertes, a Drunk Driving Victim herself and creator of “PLAINTIFF 101” shares her story with us of an unfortunate circumstance. She takes an in-depth look inside the courtroom at the coverage of the legal and technical issues that arise in a drunk driving case. Karen wrote “Plaintiff 101” to serve as a guide to assist both client and lawyer through civil litigation during a personal injury lawsuit.

For those who are interested in owning Amazon’s Best Seller, “Plaintiff 101” as a valuable resource:

Click here to >>ORDER<< your copy TODAY!

Curious to See How Fulfill Your Destiny has Helped those in Need? Check Out a Few Recipients of the Business Builder Grants!

Over the years through partnerships with local businesses and Fulfill Your Destiny initiatives, the charity has been able to grants to individuals that have overcome obstacles and are looking to grow their business. Here are just a few of these inspiring winners of Fulfill Your Destiny’s Business Builder Grant:

Fulfill Your Destiny Awards $1,000 Business Builder Grant to Clemmie Perry, Women of Color Golf, sponsored by Independent Financial Services.

Clemmie Perry, founder of Women of Color Golf, was awarded one of Fulfill Your Destiny’s signature Business Builder Grants at its 5th Annual Spring Chari-Tea. “Just as the business was growing, I ended up losing about 50 percent of my hearing.” ~ Clemmie Perry, Women of Color Golf.  Read More

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Fulfill Your Destiny Awards $1,000 Business Builder Grant to Wise Women Fitness

At the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce 2018 Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner, Fulfill Your Destiny awarded one of its signature Business Builder Grants.  Maureen Gallagher, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of American Momentum Bank, one of Fulfill Your Destiny’s Star Sponsors and featured sponsor of this evening’s grant, joined in the presentation and awarding of this grant to a recipient that didn’t know in advance that she would be receiving one of Fulfill Your Destiny’s Business Builder Grants.  This made for a very exciting evening!  Read More

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Two Veterans and Owners of Evado Cattle Company Receive a $1,000 ‘Business Builder Grant’ from Fulfill Your Destiny

Dan and Ericka Watson, both Veterans of our US Coast Guard and now owners of Evado Cattle Company, were awarded a $1,000 ‘Business Builder Grant’ at HCC’s 5th Annual Veterans Entrepreneurship Training Symposium.  Thank you to Pilot Bank, one of Fulfill Your Destiny’s ‘Star Sponsors’, for generously sponsoring this grant that was presented at the November symposium. Read More

 

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For more information and see Who We’ve Helped, click here!

Law Students! Make Amazon Best Seller, “Plaintiff 101,” Your Summer Read!

Interested in law and what goes on in the courtroom during a personal injury litigation?! “Plaintiff 101” by Karen Mertes tells the story as her life hung in the balance after a tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver. Despite sustaining a traumatic brain injury, she is the founder and president of Fulfill Your Destiny, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances.

This book is to help other personal injury survivors contemplating litigation, or already involved in litigation. You should be able to navigate these troubled waters ever so slightly easier because of our experience and advice. We’re hopeful that plaintiffs’ attorneys will see the benefit of providing this book as a teaching tool to their clients so as a team you can win your case!

Grab this Amazon Best Seller to add to your summer read collection!

Woman Picked Up By Drunk Uber Driver | Know Who is Behind the Wheel

When you call a cab, or request an Uber, you are expecting a designated sober driver to pick you up and safely transport you to your destination. However, what happens if your driver arrives and suddenly you feel unsafe? You notice that they are swerving, seem to be nodding off or even get into a car accident due to intoxication?

About a year ago, Buzzfeed interviewed a woman that was picked up by a drunk Uber driver, “[..]the car crossed over a grass median, coming precariously close to the oncoming traffic lane[..].”

“Gallion’s Uber driver was arrested for driving while impaired [..], he had a blood alcohol level of 0.15 — nearly four times the .04 legal limit for commercial drivers.”

Make sure to be aware and on alert for any suspicious behavior. As the driver to pullover and drop you off in the nearest safe location. Text a friend to call the police or call them yourself if you feel unsafe. Although it should be a guarantee that your driver should arrive sober and fulfill their duties, you can never be too careful.

Read the entire article here.

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To get your copy of Plaintiff 101, click here!

 

Steps to Take After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver

 

Getting hit by a drunk driver can be one of the scariest moments of your life, but it is important to remember the steps to take after an accident has happened. If you are conscious and able to get yourself to a safe place after the accident, proceed to take these steps—

1. Call the Police so that the accident is documented.

Check on all the other parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, to make sure no one is hurt. Call 911 if anyone may be injured.

 

2. Cooperate with the Responding Officers.

3. Collect as much Information and Evidence from the scene as possible.

If you have a smartphone with a camera, snap some photos of the accident scene. They’ll come in handy during the claim process. Try to write down as much info as possible in the accident aftermath, including:

• Driver and passenger names
• License plate numbers
• Insurance info
• Makes and models of all vehicles involved
• Contact info for any eyewitnesses
• Location of the accident
• The name and badge number of any responding police officers

4. Seek Medical treatment as soon as possible.

5. Grab a Copy of Plaintiff 101

Wanting to read on the go, on your phone, computer or tablet? You can grab a copy of Plaintiff 101 on Kindle today! 

#1 Amazon Best Seller! As seen on Daytime TV, ABC & Bay News 9.
As my life hung in the balance after a tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver, I promised to spend the rest of my life helping others if I were to survive. Despite sustaining a traumatic brain injury, I am the founder and president of Fulfill Your Destiny, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances. This book is to help other personal injury survivors contemplating litigation, or already involved in litigation. You should be able to navigate these troubled waters ever so slightly easier because of our experience and advice. We’re hopeful that plaintiffs’ attorneys will see the benefit of providing this book as a teaching tool to their clients so as a team you can win your case!

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1. Grab your copy of the Amazon Best Seller here!

The Amazon Best Seller, “Plaintiff 101,” can be Checked Out Through the Tampa Public Library System!

Looking for a resource to help guide you through your personal injury litigation but short on cash? No problem! Karen Mertes’ “Plaintiff 101” is now available in the Tampa Public Library System!

Karen Mertes on That Business Show!

Interested in law and what goes on in the courtroom during a personal injury litigation?! “Plaintiff 101” by Karen Mertes tells the story as her life hung in the balance after a tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver. Despite sustaining a traumatic brain injury, she is the founder and president of Fulfill Your Destiny, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances.

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For those who are interested in owning Amazon’s Best Seller, “Plaintiff 101” as a valuable resource:

Click here to >>ORDER<< your copy TODAY

Behind the Scenes of Last Weekend’s Book Signing at Hudson Regional Library!

Last weekend, Amazon Best Seller, Karen Mertes participated in the Book Signing at the Hudson Regional Library! Here are a few photos from the event —

About Plaintiff 101 —

“As my life hung in the balance after a tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver, I promised to spend the rest of my life helping others if I were to survive. After my four year long litigation battle, my attorney husband and I  decided to write, “Plaintiff 101” to help other personal injury victims. Being involved in a life-changing car accident is devastating. You deserve to get your life back to normal, yet the justice system is not an easy one to navigate.  That’s what this book is for. To give you inside information and what your lawyer will want you to know in order to have a wining case.

Despite sustaining a traumatic brain injury from my accident, I am the founder and president of Fulfill Your Destiny, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances. Inspiring stories of people who have been helped can be found at www.fulfillyourdestiny.org under the Who We’ve Helped tab.

The  proceeds from the sale of this book are directly donated to Fulfill Your Destiny.  We hope you find the information contained within these pages of our book very insightful.  Please know that your donation for this book is used to help others through Fulfill Your Destiny.”

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To get your copy of Plaintiff 101, click here!

Check Out Details for 2019’s Fulfill Your Destiny’s Spring Chari-Tea & Kind Words from This Year’s Event!

The next Fulfill Your Destiny’s Spring Chari-Tea will be held on Mar 30, 2019! 100 career women interested in supporting our greater Tampa Bay community through philanthropy will attend for a celebration of women for charity with tea.  It’s not just tea; its Fulfill Your Destiny’s Spring Chari-Tea!  

Here are some kind words from attendees from this year’s event and founder Karen Mertes:

“Great event – would love to be back next year!” 

“Diane McKelvey invited me in 2017.  I will come back and donate as generously as I can as long as you host this amazing event.  Thank you for what you do and the example you are!”  

“Karen – You are a God send!  Thank you for all you do!  Please put us down as a sponsor next year!”

“Love all you do!” 

“Karen, I would love to be a sponsor next year!  Please remind me next year!  As always, it has been a pleasure to attend and support Fulfill Your Destiny!” 

To lend a helping hand in the 2019 Spring Chari-Tea Event, please e-mail karen.mertes@yahoo.com or karen@fulfillyourdestiny.org.

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For more about Fulfill Your Destiny’s Mission, click here!

Steps To Take After a Car Accident

1. Move to a safe area (if you can)

If it’s safe to do so and you aren’t seriously injured, move your car out of further harm’s way, like to the shoulder of the road. If moving your car just isn’t possible, flip on your hazards to warn other drivers that your vehicle isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

2. Stop your vehicle and get out

Make sure your car is no longer moving, turn off the engine, shift into park, or set the hand brake if you drive a manual. Take a moment to catch your breath. Check to make sure it’s safe to get out of your car before opening the door. If you have flares or similar road safety items, consider using them.

3. Check on others involved

Check on all the other parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, to make sure no one is hurt. Call 911 if anyone may be injured. Even a seemingly minor symptom like dizziness should be checked out by a health care professional.

4. Call the police to the scene

Even in minor accidents, a police accident report can prove invaluable when dealing with your car insurance company and other drivers. Cooperate fully, but avoid admitting fault or blaming others while at the scene. Let the police objectively judge events and determine who, if anyone, is at fault in the crash.

If the police can’t make it to the scene (which is more likely if there are no injuries), you can file an accident report through your state’s DMV.

5. Gather info

Try to write down as much info as possible in the accident aftermath, including:

• Driver and passenger names
• License plate numbers
• Insurance info
• Makes and models of all vehicles involved
• Contact info for any eyewitnesses
• Location of the accident
• The name and badge number of any responding police officers

6. Document the scene

If you have a smartphone with a camera, snap some photos of the accident scene. They’ll come in handy during the claim process.

Check out more information here.

7. Grab a Copy of Plaintiff 101

Wanting to read on the go, on your phone, computer or tablet? You can grab a copy of Plaintiff 101 on Kindle today! 

 

#1 Amazon Best Seller! As seen on Daytime TV, ABC & Bay News 9.
As my life hung in the balance after a tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver, I promised to spend the rest of my life helping others if I were to survive. Despite sustaining a traumatic brain injury, I am the founder and president of Fulfill Your Destiny, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances. This book is to help other personal injury survivors contemplating litigation, or already involved in litigation. You should be able to navigate these troubled waters ever so slightly easier because of our experience and advice. We’re hopeful that plaintiffs’ attorneys will see the benefit of providing this book as a teaching tool to their clients so as a team you can win your case!

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Grab your copy of the Amazon Best Seller here!