United Way Contributions Break Bonita Bay Group Record

Employees pledged more than $231,000, and The Bonita Bay Group continued its tradition of matching the funds dollar for dollar. The company's total contribution of $462,203 helps bring the United Way of Lee County campaign total to 70 percent of this year's $4,357,500 goal.

"This is a remarkable contribution from the employees of a single company," said Cliff Smith, president of United Way of Lee County. "The executive team and management of The Bonita Bay Group supports the work of United Way, and they provide a way for employees to follow their lead and make a difference in the lives of others."

The volunteer-driven United Way of Lee County helps support the work of 57 human service agencies that serve more than 276,000 people in our community each year. The 2002-2003 campaign is under way through February.

"We are so proud of our employees," said David Lucas, chairman of The Bonita Bay Group. "United Way provides outstanding support to dozens of agencies to help people in our home community. The employees of The Bonita Bay Group demonstrate every day their eagerness to do the right thing, and they seized this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others through United Way."

This year, Lucas conducted 16 meetings at different work areas throughout The Bonita Bay Group provide employees information about United Way and the work of its member agencies.

Of the company's 1,258 employees, 952 or 76 percent contributed to the campaign. Forty-five employees gave at the Keel Club level of at least $1,000 each, up from 42 last year. In addition, three qualified as members of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, which honors contributors of $10,000 or more annually. The Bonita Bay Group has contributed a total of $2.5 million to United Way since the company began its corporate campaign in 1990.

"David Lucas made every presentation to the employees," said Smith. "He introduced the work of United Way, and he took the opportunity to tell each group which services were available to help friends and members of their families who might benefit. The Bonita Bay Group is a very large company, and for the chairman to take that amount of time to make sure employees know what United Way is all about and how it benefits them, their families and the community is astounding. It demonstrates the highest level of leadership."

"United Way has an outstanding group of volunteers who work all year, and especially during the campaign," said Bank of America's Marcia Hobe, volunteer campaign chair for 2002-2003. "The level of commitment on the part of The Bonita Bay Group stands as an example to the Southwest Florida business community of how people coming together do make a difference."