United Way campaign reaches goal
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades reached its goal of $8 million for the 2008-09 campaign after a week extension.
After being $90,000 short of its goal, the United Way decided Feb. 27 to extend its campaign for the first week of March and, through a very generous last push effort by volunteers, the goal was met by late Thursday afternoon.
Mark Morris, President of Commerce Bank of Southwest Florida and 2008-2009 United Way Campaign Chair announced that local residents and companies contributed $8,019,741. This represents a six percent increase over last year’s amount raised and is the 16th consecutive year that goal has been obtain or exceeded. United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades had the largest percentage increase of any United Way in entire state of Florida for the 2008-2009 Campaign.
“It was a challenging campaign, but we met our goal. Thank you to all of the individuals, companies, communities and agencies for their generous contributions. Generosity is not defined by the size of the contributions individuals made, but by the fact that they gave as much as they were able. Those who could, increased their contributions substantially, knowing that this is a year when their contributions were sorely needed. Many, who are struggling themselves, also gave knowing that there are people in our community who are in desperate need of help,” said Mark Morris at the goal announcement.
Morris went on to say, “My roots are in Southwest Florida, and I am proud to be from a community that is so caring and has always demonstrated extraordinary generosity.”
In addition to all of the very generous individuals and agencies that contributed to the 2008-2009 United Way Campaign, 16 local companies, organizations, and communities contributed more than $100,000 each.
Top 16 United Way Contributors
n Publix Supermarkets – $1,158,000
n Bonita Bay Community – $866,000
n Bonita Bay Group – $446,000
n Sanibel/Captiva Community – $260,000
n Lee County School District – $231,000
n Chico’s – $226,000
n The Brooks Community – $198,000
n Oswald Trippe & Company – $181,000
n Mediterra Community – $180,000
n Fiddlesticks Community – $171,000
n The News-Press – $123,000
n United State Postal Service – $119,000
n Lee Memorial Health System – $116,000
n LCEC – $110,000
n FineMark National Bank and Trust – $105,000
n Lee County Government – $102,000
The tremendous support of the community will allow the 70 United Way Partner Agencies and over 160 programs and initiatives to receive their full United Way funding. This means that essential human services will be able to continue in our community at time when there are record needs. Sarah Owen, Director of CCMI said, “United Way funding is crucial to our program. The fact that United Way has achieved their fundraising goal during this very difficult economic time gives all of us in human service the confidence that we will be able to provide the critical services that our community needs. We are delighted with the news.”
“We are overwhelmed and humbled by the tremendous generosity of our community. Making this campaign goal shows how much people in our community care about one another. That is why our community is such a special place,” said Cliff Smith, President of United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades.
Since the inception of United Way in 1957, over $88 million dollars have been raised in our community. All money raised in the United Way campaign stays in the local community to help support the local human service network. United Way partner agencies and initiatives like Alvin A Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, Children’s Advocacy Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, LARC and United Way 211 serve a diverse range of needs in our community such as nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, meeting critical needs such as helping the elderly and disabled live independently, and empowering communities by bringing health and human services to neighborhoods.
In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, the United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies and initiatives, helping them to work together focusing on issues and solutions that continue to improve lives.
The United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades has been “the way the community cares” since it was established in 1957.
For more information please call United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades at (239) 433-2000 or visit www.unitedwaylee.org.