Thanks to these and other volunteers at the November 16 event at the Bottle Cap Lounge in Key West!
Pictured left to right: Volunteers Nicole Canalejo and Clark Knight, Chief of Department of Juvenile Justice Karen Knight, Florida Dept. of Children & Families (DCF) Supervisor Chris Morgan, United Way Board Member Mindy McKenzie, United Way President Margie Smith, DCF Program Administrator Amy Baldree, United Way board member John Spain, and DCF Operations Manager Joan Berni.
State Employees Raise $2,275 for Local Charities
In a matter of hours, employees of the Department of Children & Families raised nearly $2,300.00 for local non-profit organizations including the United Way of the Florida Keys, the Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens, and Samuels House.
"The November event was the fifth annual, and this year the Department of Children & Families’ event raised more money for charities than in previous years," said United Way of the Florida Keys President Margie Smith.
Over 40 local businesses Keys-wide donated raffle prizes to the event, including two-night stays at Hawks Cay Resort, Hilton Key Largo Grande Resort, and the Double Tree Grand Key Resort in Key West.
“It is a pleasure and honor to participate in the Florida State Employee Charitable Campaign, helping to fundraise and increase awareness of the outstanding work of our local community partners,” said Amy Baldree, program administrator for the Department of Children & Families.
Smith said that just a few weeks remain in the annual Florida State Employees’ Charitable Campaign. “It’s a benefit to state employees because it’s no pressure, and limited to a specified time period each year. Employees can choose from a list of hundreds of approved charities with easy payroll deduction,” she said.
At the Marathon office of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, campaign coordinator Gus Rios reported that employees have signed up for 2013 payroll deductions totaling $1,440.00.
Historically, successful campaigns are also held in the offices of the State Attorney, 16th Circuit Court, Department of Fish & Wildlife, Department of Health, and Florida Highway Patrol, and Smith said she hopes even more agencies will get involved to help their favorite charities.
“Any state employees who haven’t received their pledge card or would like to organize an event in 2013 to benefit non-profits can contact our office at 735-1929,” she said.
Click here for a .pdf of the press release.