Lee County Tax Collector beats United Way fundraising goal Staff generosity key for Pacesetter agency

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 30, 2018) – Generosity lives in the hearts of Lee County Tax Collector staff. They raised more than $38,000 this year for the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties, significantly more than their $30,000 goal. The Tax Collector’s Office is once again a United Way Pacesetter organization and received recognition at the Oct. 30 United Way Campaign Kickoff breakfast.
“The United Way provides vital support to organizations that help so many people in our community,” Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart said. “I couldn’t be prouder of our staff.”
Tax Collector employees generated the funds through payroll deductions as well as internal raffles, candy sales, paying a small fee to wear blue jeans to work and other creative initiatives. The $38,320.13 goes toward the United Way’s goal of raising an awe-inspiring $10,301,386 in Southwest Florida during its 2018-19 campaign.
Hart sits on the local United Way Board of Directors, and he’s the chair of MISSION UNITED™, a United Way initiative to give veterans a single number to dial for access to the services they’re entitled to.
“As an Air Force veteran and former police chief, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for those who served,” Hart said. “I’m so pleased to be able to make their lives better through my work with the United Way.”
More than 100 agencies and 250 programs receive assistance from the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties. It has raised and distributed more than $167 million since it was established in 1957.
Local United Way beneficiaries include the Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, Partners for Breast Cancer Care, the Harry Chapin Food Bank, the Boys and Girls Clubs and many more.
The Lee County Tax Collector also supports numerous local nonprofits throughout the year in addition to its United Way giving. They include the Café of Life, the Senior Paws Sanctuary, Project HOPE, Hearts and Homes for Veterans, which was the recipient of a check presentation on Oct. 17 at the Tax Collector’s Office, and many more. Each quarter, service center locations select a charity of their choice as their community fundraising project.
Among the Tax Collector’s own community initiatives is Kids Tag Art, which raises money for art supplies in Lee County schools and inspires student creativity.
Visit leetc.com and check out the Blog page for updates on the Tax Collector’s efforts to give back.
About Lee County Tax Collector
The Lee County Tax Collector (LCTC) exists to serve the citizens of Lee County. The office takes pride in organizational excellence and offering exemplary customer service and operates by the credo of “We’ve got your back.” The LCTC operates leetc.com, the official interactive website of the tax collector, which allows county residents to quickly and easily take care of motor vehicle and vessel registration, pay property taxes, make appointments for concealed weapon permits and more. The agency operates six service centers open daily throughout the county to provide efficient, convenient services. The LCTC works to provide innovative and quality service that supports the growth and sustainability of the community. For more information, visit leetc.com or follow Lee County Tax Collector on social media.