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Lee Memorial Health System
is honored to be a pacesetter organization for the United Way
Campaign. That means the health system begins our annual
campaign before others in the community, with the hope that our
contributions will spur other organizations to give to such a
worthy cause.
The health system’s United Way Campaign kicked off Aug. 1.
The United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades has more than 72 human
service partners that provide more than 150 programs in our
community, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southwest
Florida, Hope Hospice, Family Health Centers, Harry Chapin Food
Banks of Southwest Florida and many others.
Last year, 1,050 employees and volunteers from Lee Memorial
Health System, as well as LeeSar employees, contributed more
than $144,740 for the United Way Campaign. That is more than 200
additional contributors and $27,000 more than we contributed in
2009. We hope we will be able to contribute even more this year!
Our community desperately needs it, as we have seen
unprecedented levels of hardship during the past year. Lee
County’s unemployment rate is at 14 percent, which is 40 percent
higher than the national average. What is more, Lee County
schools are now the highest in need of food for hungry families
in all of Florida. Nearly 70 percent of students are receiving
free or reduced lunch—something that has never occurred in our
community, except for possibly during the Great Depression of
the 1920s and 1930s. The schools are also feeding children and
families during the summer and partnering with United Way
agencies to provide this vitally needed sustenance.
Lee Memorial Health System team members even benefit from the
United Way, which helps manage the health system’s Employee
Assistance Fund that provides a 211 case management program for
assistance with personal crises. Our employees have gotten
financial assistance and help with transportation, flood damage
and dislocation, child care emergencies, tax preparation and
much, much more.
We know that not everyone is in a position to give right now,
but if you can, please consider giving a little to this year’s
United Way Campaign. One small contribution can make such a
tremendous difference to those who need it.
Remember: we are all caring people…caring for people!
For more information about the United Way Campaign, go to
www.unitedwaylee.org/index.html.
Peace,
Jim Nathan
President, Lee Memorial Health System
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