United Way Drive surpasses goal
Raises $11 million
United Way of Lee, Henry, and Glades surpassed its fundraising goal again this year, raising more than $11 million for community needs and projects.
United Way President and CEO Jeannine Joy and campaign co-chairs Kevin Karnes and Jay Santos made the announcement Thursday at the Gifts in Kind Warehouse in Fort Myers.
This latest drive marks the 31st consecutive year supporters have rallied with United Way and its partner agencies to meet — or exceed — goal.
Doing so in the wake of Hurricane Ian and other challenges over the past few years was especially gratifying.
“It is an honor to be this year’s campaign co-chair, and we were just reflecting a couple of minutes ago about the journey that you’ve been on together. This journey was important to everybody,” Karnes said. “We were trying to get to that idea of what really reflects this community, and we understood that we were still in challenging times. We were just getting off the pandemic. We’re just getting off being beaten out of the process, so we wanted to have a theme that was sensitive to where we were.”
The theme of the campaign — this year to raise money for the victims of Ian and help support families in rebuilding homes and establishments — was “Uniting Heroes, Inspiring Hope resonates with supporters.”
“They may not always wear capes, but we saw many heroes step forward to donate this year, and their actions have inspired hope for every partner agency that relies on the community’s support to achieve their mission and vision,” Karnes said.
Co-chair Jay Santos shared his experience with United Way and the opportunities afforded to help the community.
“I was 27; I did a financial literacy class that really moved me, honestly, it was one of those things where I’m like ‘Man, I gotta get around these young people and just teach them about savings, budgeting’ and then found out about the community partnerships with United Way and all the progress that they do, basically,” Santos said.
“I was reading for those kids once a week for three or four years. I met Kevin at an event, and he asked if I was interested. And I said yes without really even knowing what it was. But that’s what you do. Sometimes you just do it scared. I look back a year later, and here we are with $11 million. I’m so excited. So excited for the community. It’s amazing,” Santos said.
For Santos, getting into the public image and talking to large audiences was tough at first, but he grew into his role and is happy with his position with United Way and all the things achieved for the community.
“I mean, personally, they made me do a bunch of things I had never done before, so it’s a whole new process,” Santos said.
Top United Way Contributors Included:
One Million Dollar+ Circle of Excellence
Bonita Bay Community
Publix
Five Hundred Thousand+ Circle of Excellence
Bonita Bay Group
Islands of Sanibel and Captiva
O’Donnell Landscapes, Inc.
Two Hundred Thousand+ Circle of Excellence
Beesley’s Paw Prints
Fiddlesticks Community
Grandezza Community
LCEC
Lee Health
Pelican Landing Community
Shell Point Community
One Hundred Thousand+ Circle of Excellence
Cypress Cove
FineMark National Bank & Trust
Gulf Harbour Community
Lee Board of County Commissioners
Pelican Preserve Community
The Brooks
Uhler Vertich White Advisors
United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Employees
All money raised remains in the local community to support some of United Way’s partner agencies, including Harry Chapin Food Bank, Community Cooperative, Abuse Counseling and Treatment, and many more.
The team now gearing up to meet next year’s goal.
Next week, the United Way Board Members will meet to discuss the goals for 2025 and how they can achieve them.
United Way’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all people in the community.
United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades was established in 1957, and $232 million has been raised since.
To donate or for more information call 239-433-2000 or visit https://unitedwaylee.org/current-campaign/
To reach JOHNATHAN MINEHAN, please email news@breezenewspapers.com