Future First Financial Group Kicks-off Capital Campaign for Florida Association of Blind Athletes With US Wrestling Champion Chris Bono.

Business & Sports Editors

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2001

In an effort to encourage support for the Florida Association of Blind Athletes, Future First Financial Group contributed $35,000 to kick off a direct mail campaign that features Chris Bono as spokesperson.

Future First Financial Group will underwrite and manage the campaign that will target more than 10,000 businesses in the 37 counties in Florida from where blind students who attend the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind permanently reside.

Future First Financial Group is a long-standing supporter of the Florida Blind Athletes Association and sponsored blind athletes in the Syndey Paralymics, as well as the 2001 Pan Am Games. Chris Bono agreed to be spokesperson for the capital campaign this Spring.

Bono is a graduate of Bolles High School in Jacksonville, Florida and the Iowa State NCAA champion and a three-time All-American champion. He was recently named the No. 1 assistant wrestling coach at Iowa State University. Bono is currently training for the Olympics and is ranked second at the U.S. senior level and is a member of the U.S. Olympic national team.

"Watching the enthusiasm of these young athletes while training is an inspiration for me," said Chris Bono. "When I attended Bolles High School I competed with athletes from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind and I know first hand about the extreme sportsmanship they embrace."

The Florida Association of Blind Athletes (FABA) is a 501c3 organization and was chartered by the State of Florida in 1983; FABA is an affiliate of the US Association of Blind Athletes (USABA). Honorary board members are Bobby Bowden, Mark McCumber and Steve Spurrier.

"It is our sincere belief that participation in sports programs will help these outstanding young people become successful and confident adults who will continue to embrace challenge in search of increasingly higher goals," said Randy Stelk, president of Future First Financial Group.

"With an athlete like Chris Bono to be a role model, we are equally confident these young people will be triumphant athletes in the Association's events," said Stelk.

Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Future First Financial Group is a leading provider company in the viatical industry. With about 35 employees, the company serves clients worldwide.