American Portfolios Supports World T.E.A.M. Sports by 2015's Face of America and Coastal Team Challenge Events

HOLBROOK, NY--(Marketwired - August 20, 2015) - American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS), a privately-held, independent broker/dealer which provides services and support to financial advisors throughout the country, continues its long-standing support of the World T.E.A.M. Sports' (WTS) mission through participation in two recent events. Following the success of the annual Face of America (FOA) bike ride in April 2015, APFS recently participated in the non-profit organization's Coastal Team Challenge (CTC), a 16-nautical-mile kayak journey that brought together teams of disabled and able-bodied athletes.

WTS' goal is to "change lives through sports." For the last 20 years, they have done so tirelessly by organizing various athletic events to challenge disabled men, women and children to accomplish goals they never thought possible. APFS is a firm believer in giving back to the community through acts of social responsibility, and is a long-standing fundraiser and participator in WTS events like the FOA-a 110-mile bike ride that followed a two-day route from Washington, D.C., to Gettysburg, Pa, that the firm has participated in for 10 years. The 2015 event amassed 600 cyclists, including 135 U.S. veterans who were injured or became disabled during military service. Among the riders were 58 APFS staff members, affiliated financial advisors and focus partners. This year, the firm represented the No. 1 earning team-raising a total of $146,587 in charitable donations. David Rey, APFS financial advisor and team caption, remarked of the vast achievement, "Overall, it was the best year we've had and I'm extremely proud of everyone on our team and their accomplishments."

From Aug. 4 - 5, 2015, APFS sponsored the non-competitive CTC, designed to emphasize the power and inspiration of teamwork to overcome and help eliminate the barriers for disabled athletes and inspire those who are able-bodied. Eight APFS staff members and affiliated colleagues took part in the event, including Marketing and Communications Consultant Kimberly Branch, kayaker, who considers the event life altering. "To watch lives being changed made me look at life in a different way. This was just the beginning for me; I plan to become a bigger part of this organization."

Eleven able-bodied athletes were matched with 11 athletes with disabilities from WTS partner Independent Group Home Living (IGHL), a not-for-profit agency that is dedicated to enriching the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. The teams of two-person kayaks successfully completed the 16-nautical-mile journey that involved paddling by hand along Long Island's South Shore. APFS Human Resources Generalist Danielle Calcara, kayaker, attests to the reward of teamwork. "We motivated and encouraged each other to accomplish the huge undertaking of kayaking from Westhampton to Patchogue. Our teammates from IGHL always kept a smile on their faces and demonstrated a level of determination that was inspiring."

That level of inspiration carried over to the post-CTC reception and award ceremony at the Patchogue Beach Club, where American Portfolios CEO, CIO and President Lon T. Dolber helped hand out achievement medals to the proud participants. APFS New Business Development and Affiliation Services Associate Denise Shaljian, volunteer, enjoyed watching the "crowd cheering for the athletes and calling their names," which re-energized each of the teammates after completing a challenge they once thought might not be achievable.

Looking forward to September 2015, APFS will once again sponsor and participate in the WTS Adventure Team Challenge, a series of outdoor sporting events that take place from Colorado to New York. Of the firm's ongoing commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, Lon T. Dolber shares, "When I think of our proudest, most unified moments, it is those where employees and colleagues at the firm are engaged outside of our business and work environment-representing APFS' commitment to bettering the communities in which we live and thrive-that come to mind."

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.

About American Portfolios
Headquartered in Holbrook, N.Y., 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 adviser. Both reside under the legal entity American Portfolios Holdings, Inc. 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 811 independent investment professionals located in 361 branch locations throughout the nation.

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