Worldwide Virtual Premiere Because of Sam Documentary Film

Worldwide Virtual Premiere
Because of Sam Documentary Film

Watch Because of Sam for FREE!

Featuring
Sam Piazza and WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil
October 9th – October 11th , 2020
Friday – Sunday at 8 pm EDT
To Watch Movie Trailer – Click Here!


Because of Sam is a documentary film that brings awareness to Down Syndrome through highlighting the inspirational life of Sam Piazza, a Tampa native and PDQ Team Member. The documentary film is available for FREE, in the 48-hour window during Down Syndrome Awareness Month – October 2020.

Because of Sam transforms how the world views people with disabilities, and encourages ALL people to pursue their dreams. We hope that those who watch the film will help spread the news of Sam Piazza’s uplifting story, and recommend the movie to others.”

Renee Warmack, producer, director, & writer, MPA

Pre-Registration Dates: Now through October 9th at 8 pm EDT  at: https://www.watchbecauseofsam.com/watchfree

(Registration is required for access to this FREE, time-limited, streaming movie period and is strictly for at-home, personal use.)

Viewers can watch the 50-minute documentary on their laptops, tablets or smart phones, and mirror to their TVs. 

“Be prepared to be wowed… because it’s something very special and something much needed in the world today. We need to put as many positive stories out there as we possibly can and definitely need to highlight as many heroes as we can and my man, Sam, is definitely a hero.” 
   – WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil

Among Sam’s accomplishments are the following:
Black belt in karate,
Gaither High School’s Homecoming King,
Gaither High School basketball’s team manager,
ROTC member in high school,
Volunteers and participates at GiGi’s Playhouse,
Involved in Special Olympics and is an avid weightlifter at the YMCA,
Teaches the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office about people with disabilities,
– Global Ambassador for the Best Buddies program,
He’s an Equestrian, thanks to Hillsborough County’s Bakas Equestrian Center,
and now works at PDQ in Carrollwood.

“If you have passion, you can do great things.”

Sam Piazza

Pictured: (Left Picture) Sam Piazza; (Right Picture) John Piazza (Father), Ruth Piazza (Mother), Catie Hunziker (Sister), Luke Piazza (Brother), and Sam Piazza


Because of Sam shows how Piazza, who was born with Down syndrome, overcame bullying, won Homecoming King at Gaither High School, and advocates for people with disabilities. It gives an inside look at Piazza’s journey from birth to the present day, and includes the uplifting perspectives of people who have been impacted by him. Piazza not only overcame tremendous obstacles, but now volunteers at Gigi’s Playhouse, serves as an advisor to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and works as a long-time PDQ (People Dedicated to Quality) team member. The movie includes a surprise, first-time meeting between O’Neil and Piazza at the Bob Sierra YMCA, in Tampa.

Be sure to Pre-Register Here for the FREE, limited streaming window in October: https://www.watchbecauseofsam.com/watchfree


Renee was inspired by an article about Sam Piazza in a local paper. She had to know more about the young man wearing the Homecoming Crown. Renee met Sam and his family and shared her vision of producing a documentary about Sam’s life—she wanted everyone to know Sam.

“I’m thrilled that my film about Tampa hero Sam Piazza will stream to homes across the globe for 48 hours at no charge to allow families who may be going through economic hardships to view the movie,” says Warmack, a Tampa native and University of South Florida alumna who is self-distributing the film.

Renee Warmack, Producer, Director, & Writer, MPA

About Renee Warmack–—Producer, Director, and Writer for Because of Sam

Renee Warmack, MPA, is a Tampa native and USF alumna. She is a producer, speaker, and coach who uses her inspirational movies, engaging events, and motivational coaching programs to help others claim their power and capture their dreams.

Learn more at: BecauseofSamTheMovie.comIMDBReneeWarmackProductions.com

Contact
Renee Warmack – Producer, ReneeWarmackProductions@yahoo.com; 813-610-3132


The first community screening of Because of Sam at the Tampa Theatre was a success. My husband and I were there. It was a wonderful experience with the movie receiving a standing ovation from a packed theatre. This is a movie for everyone not just the special needs community.” – Julie Ames

To Listen To The Podcast with Renee Warmack, Producer, Director, & Writer, Julie Ames, SNFHSam Piazza, Star of Because of Sam, Ruth Piazza, Sam’s Mother, and Jeff Kamis, the Vice President of Media & Public Relations for PDQ  Restaurants – Click Here!

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Because of Sam the Documentary!

Among Sam’s accomplishments are the following:
Black belt in karate, 
Global Ambassador for the  Best Buddies program,
Gaither High School’s Homecoming King
Gaither High School basketball’s team manager,
ROTC member in high school,
Involved in Special Olympics and is an avid weightlifter,
Volunteers at GiGi’s Playhouse
He’s an Equestrian, thanks to Hillsborough County’s Bakas Equestrian Center, 
and now works at PDQ – they’ve even named a menu item after him!

Join us Sunday afternoon with Renee Warmack, the Producer, Director, and Writer of the documentary Because of Sam.

Along with Renee are the star of the documentary, Sam Piazza; his mother, Ruth Piazza; and Jeffrey Kamis, the Vice President of Media & Public Relations for PDQ Restaurants, where Sam works.


Sam is a Tampa hero. As a young man with Down syndrome, Sam has broken barriers and proven that people with disabilities can succeed and inspire others to do more – and be more. Sam’s life and story help others Claim Their Power and Capture Their Dreams, every day.

This past Monday was the first community screening of Because of Sam at the Tampa Theatre. It was a success with the movie receiving a standing ovation from a packed theatre. The evening culminated with Tampa Theatre adding a second show Saturday, August 10th. 

Here’s your chance to see what you missed!

Tickets are $12.50 general admission / $9.50 Tampa Theatre Members and can be bought at BecauseofSam.com or at the Tampa Theatre Box Office.

Pictured Left to Right: Renee Warmack, Producer, Director, & Writer, Julie Ames, SNFHSam Piazza, Star of All About Sam, Ruth Piazza, Sam’s Mother , and Jeff Kamis, the Vice President of Media & Public Relations for PDQ  Restaurants    

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Gigi’s Playhouse

Gigi’s Playhouse

Join us this Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!

This week’s show will feature Gigi’s Playhouse, a network of Down Syndrome Achievement CentersGigi’s Playhouse is an organization that empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing no cost programs to those in Hillsborough and surrounding counties.


Their mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome through community campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Gigi’s Playhouse Tampa will make a lifetime commitment to support and empower families from prenatal diagnosis, birth, and through to adulthood by offering no-cost therapeutic, educational and career development programs.

Pictured left to right: Doreen Altieri, Programs Coordinator, Julie Ames, SNFH, Nick Altieri,Team Leader Advocacy & Inspiration Team, Nicki Rawlings, Outreach Team Leader

P.S. Gigi’s Playhouse is going to be a great addition to our community. The Grand Opening Date is to be announced soon!

November 2018
Save the Date

Rappelling Fundraiser – Over the Edge
Scale the side of a Tampa Bay building
& help raise money for Gigi’s Playhouse Tampa!
Stay tuned for more details. 

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Families Raising, Inspiring, Educating, and Networking for Down Syndrome

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. – Families Raising, Inspiring, Educating, & Networking for Down Syndrome!

Our guest is Belinda Romero of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Down Syndrome of West Florida.

The Mission of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Down Syndrome West Florida is to provide all encompassing educational and support services to families who have been impacted by Down Syndrome; while promoting complete community integration of those impacted by Down Syndrome. Serving families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, & Pasco Counties.

Pictured: Belinda Romero and Julie Ames, SNFH


F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
The goals are to:

  • Provide broad reaching educational services for families impacted by Down Syndrome.
  • Provide financial and social service support for families impacted by Down Syndrome.
  • Provide outreach to the Tampa Bay Area community in education and community integration for families impacted by Down Syndrome.

Like on Facebook: Friends Down Syndrome West Florida

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Emmy Winning A&E Reality TV Show “Born This Way”!

Emmy Winning A&E Reality TV Show “Born this Way”

The Special Needs Family Hour has a special presentation for you – listen here!

We are featuring the Emmy Award Winning A&E reality show “Born This Way”. The show just started its 3rd season. It is on Tuesday evenings at 9 PM. If you missed the first episode, you may view it on the A&E website.


Pictured:  Steven, Elena, Rachael, Christina, John, Megan, and Sean 

The series follows a group of seven young adults with Down Syndrome along with their family and friends in Southern California. One of the young adults with Down Syndrome featured on the show is named Sean. We discuss the show with Sean’s mother, Sandra McElwee.

Later in the show we discuss Travel Tips.