NEWS

PACESETTERS ROCK

More than 740 volunteers and community leaders gathered at the Harborside Events Center for a rocking celebration of the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades 50th anniversary. Campaign Chair, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of Chico's FAS, Scott Edmonds encouraged everyone to open their hearts and look at what really matters in our community. This year’s campaign theme is "Giving Rocks!"

Scott Edmunds President, CEO & Chairman of the Board of Chico's

The goal for this year’s campaign is $7,280,000. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the campaign is off and running.

Edmonds announced that the 80 pacesetter companies – those who run their campaigns early to demonstrate United Way support and to encourage others – along with early leadership gifts, have already raised a total of $4,083,358. This represents 56% of the goal.to an amazing start.

Publix had another record breaking year and raised the most of any company in the fifty year history of United Way with $1,141,026. Publix has been a long time and generous supporter of the United Way, and was the first company to ever exceed the one million mark in a single campaign in 2006.

Six other companies also exceeded the $100,000 mark: Chico's at $300,000, Oswald Trippe and Company Inc. with $265,000, Lee Memorial Health System at $141,825, The News-Press with $118,151, Lee County Employees at $117,148 and LCEC with $105,000. The amount raised by Pacesetters is an incredible 12% increase in giving over the previous year's Pacesetter campaign.

There was a whole lot of rocking going on at Harborside Event Center. The Kick-Off program opened with a rousing performance by Buddy Holly and the Crickets and Richie Valens courtesy of the Broadway Palm Dinner theater. The "Giving Rocks!" theme was further carried out by Chico's employees imitating the likes of Sonny and Cher, Elvis, Madonna and other rock stars.