The United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades has concluded the 2011-2012 Campaign and exceeded the campaign goal of $8,030,533.

The campaign had been scheduled to conclude on Feb. 29; however, the campaign was $300,000 short of the goal. It was extended to Tuesday, March 16, and because of a vigorous last push effort by volunteers and United Way Board Members, the goal was met this past Friday.

Tom Uhler, 2011-2012 United Way Campaign Chair, and partner at Uhler and Vertich Financial Planners announced that local residents and companies contributed $8,035,146 to the campaign.

At the goal announcement Uhler said, “I am very excited to announce that the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades has reached its campaign goal for the 19th consecutive year! Our wonderful community has done it again!

“Thank you to every individual and company who gave to the United Way Campaign. Many people who have been hurt by the economy gave because they realized that many of their friends and neighbors were much worse off than they were.

“Because of your generosity hungry families will receive food, abused children and adults can find shelter, Alzheimer’s caregivers can have respite, and babies and toddlers can get a healthy start in life. Low to middle income persons can receive free help in filing their income taxes, and thousands of meals will be delivered to the home-bound.

“Thank you for giving so generously to help our friends and neighbors who are hurting, out of work, or ill. You gave so others could look forward to a better life. I am proud to live in Southwest Florida where people truly care about each other.

“Making our campaign goal means that the 70 United Way Partner Agencies will receive their full allocation of funds. The needs in our community have remained high this year. Many agencies have lost funding from both government and private sources. United Way Partner Agencies’ 140 programs will be fully funded and hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens will receive the help they need,” he continued.

“Thank you to all of the individuals, companies, communities and partner agencies for your generous contributions. You proved once again what a caring community this is,” Uhler said at the goal announcement.

In addition to all of the very generous individuals and agencies that contributed to the 2011-2012 United Way Campaign, the top local contributing companies and organizations, and the top communities are as follows:

Top United Way Contributors

Companies

Publix Super Markets – $1,260,869

Bonita Bay Group – $382,965

Chico’s – $300,835

Lee County School District – $216,560

FineMark National Bank & Trust – $183,970

LCEC – $164,000

Lee Memorial Health System $134,630

BB&T – Oswald Trippe & Company – $101,350

United States Postal Service – $97,344

Enterprise Holdings – $93,728

WCI Communities – $75,000

Lee County Government Employees – $54,199

SunTrust Bank – $53,840

Bank of America & US Trust – $49,487

CenturyLink – $49,229

Apollo Information Services – $49,111

Wells Fargo – $48,542

‘Tween Waters Inn – $45,164

CRS Technology Consultants – $43,882

Hilliard Brothers – $43,718

The News-Press – $42,056

UPS – $41,994

Target – $41,630

Communities

Bonita Bay – $890,899

Sanibel-Captiva – $300,282

Mediterra – $239,680

Fiddlesticks – $217,954

The Brooks – $215,105

Shell Point – $92,544

Pelican Landing – $85,618

Grandezza – $45,338

Kevin Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS), a United Way Partner Agency, said of the goal announcement, “This represents a community’s gift of hope and help to thousands in need and an outstanding achievement for all who continue to give their best for their friends and neighbors.”

“We are very excited that United Way made its goal this year,” said Jennifer Benton, Chief Executive Officer of Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. (ACT). “The United Way helps fund our residential shelter program which is a very important part of our agency. Without this funding, we would not be able to provide shelter services to the abused for this program and our outreach program. We are thankful to United Way.”

Todd Cordisco, Lee Mental Health Vice-President of Community Relations and Development said about the United Way Campaign, “Funding provided by United Way to Lee Mental Health allows our agency to provide Outpatient Therapy services to more than 2,000 people each year in our community who are uninsured or underinsured. Without these funds, many would go without the much-needed therapy and support they need to remain active and productive members 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.

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, Literacy Council of Gulf Coast, Harry Chapin Food Bank, 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.

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PHOTOS ATTACHED

Linda and Tom Uhler: Linda Uhler was United Way Campaign Chair 19 years ago. Tom Uhler is the 2011-2012 United Way Campaign Chair

YMCA children with thank you signs during the announcement that United Way made it’s goal.has concluded the 2011-2012 Campaign and exceeded the campaign goal of $8,030,533. The campaign had been scheduled to conclude on February 29th; however, the campaign was $300,000 short of the goal. It was extended to Tuesday March 16, and because of a vigorous last push effort by volunteers and United Way Board Members, the goal was met this past Friday.

Tom Uhler, 2011-2012 United Way Campaign Chair, and partner at Uhler and Vertich Financial Planners announced that local residents and companies contributed $8,035,146 to the campaign.

At the goal announcement Uhler said, “I am very excited to announce that the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades has reached its campaign goal for the 19th consecutive year! Our wonderful community has done it again!

“Thank you to every individual and company who gave to the United Way Campaign. Many people who have been hurt by the economy gave because they realized that many of their friends and neighbors were much worse off than they were.

“Because of your generosity hungry families will receive food, abused children and adults can find shelter, Alzheimer’s caregivers can have respite, and babies and toddlers can get a healthy start in life. Low to middle income persons can receive free help in filing their income taxes, and thousands of meals will be delivered to the home-bound.

“Thank you for giving so generously to help our friends and neighbors who are hurting, out of work, or ill. You gave so others could look forward to a better life. I am proud to live in Southwest Florida where people truly care about each other.

“Making our campaign goal means that the 70 United Way Partner Agencies will receive their full allocation of funds. The needs in our community have remained high this year. Many agencies have lost funding from both government and private sources. United Way Partner Agencies’ 140 programs will be fully funded and hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens will receive the help they need,” he continued.

“Thank you to all of the individuals, companies, communities and partner agencies for your generous contributions. You proved once again what a caring community this is,” Uhler said at the goal announcement.

In addition to all of the very generous individuals and agencies that contributed to the 2011-2012 United Way Campaign, the top local contributing companies and organizations, and the top communities are as follows:

Top United Way Contributors

Companies

Publix Super Markets – $1,260,869

Bonita Bay Group – $382,965

Chico’s – $300,835

Lee County School District – $216,560

FineMark National Bank & Trust – $183,970

LCEC – $164,000

Lee Memorial Health System $134,630

BB&T – Oswald Trippe & Company – $101,350

United States Postal Service – $97,344

Enterprise Holdings – $93,728

WCI Communities – $75,000

Lee County Government Employees – $54,199

SunTrust Bank – $53,840

Bank of America & US Trust – $49,487

CenturyLink – $49,229

Apollo Information Services – $49,111

Wells Fargo – $48,542

‘Tween Waters Inn – $45,164

CRS Technology Consultants – $43,882

Hilliard Brothers – $43,718

The News-Press – $42,056

UPS – $41,994

Target – $41,630

Communities

Bonita Bay – $890,899

Sanibel-Captiva – $300,282

Mediterra – $239,680

Fiddlesticks – $217,954

The Brooks – $215,105

Shell Point – $92,544

Pelican Landing – $85,618

Grandezza – $45,338

Kevin Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS), a United Way Partner Agency, said of the goal announcement, “This represents a community’s gift of hope and help to thousands in need and an outstanding achievement for all who continue to give their best for their friends and neighbors.”

“We are very excited that United Way made its goal this year,” said Jennifer Benton, chief executive officer of Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. (ACT). “The United Way helps fund our residential shelter program which is a very important part of our agency. Without this funding, we would not be able to provide shelter services to the abused for this program and our outreach program. We are thankful to United Way.”

Todd Cordisco, Lee Mental Health Vice-President of Community Relations and Development said about the United Way Campaign, “Funding provided by United Way to Lee Mental Health allows our agency to provide Outpatient Therapy services to more than 2,000 people each year in our community who are uninsured or underinsured. Without these funds, many would go without the much-needed therapy and support they need to remain active and productive members 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.

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, Literacy Council of Gulf Coast, Harry Chapin Food Bank, 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.

Source: The United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades