FORT MYERS, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2019) – A special Dec. 7 event will highlight a project from the heart by the Cape Coral office of the Lee County Tax Collector supporting veterans in need of housing assistance through the Hearts and Homes for Veterans Inc. organization.
The Cape Coral office will co-host the event, starting at 1 p.m., at the Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library in Cape Coral and present a substantial monetary gift to Hearts and Homes. The event will honor Pearl Harbor Day. The museum is located at 4820 Leonard St. in downtown Cape Coral.
Chief Deputy Tax Collector Noelle Branning also will be in attendance for the ceremony.
“Our Cape Coral office and the community really opened their hearts to help veterans seeking assistance,” Branning said. “The generosity to those who have given so much for us is touching and heartwarming.”
The inspiring teamwork of the Cape Coral office to raise the money started Jan. 1. Each of the 23 clerks in the office were asked to contribute at least $5 each day until they reached their money goal, and they sold candy bars to customers. Providing extra motivation was an idea by clerk Robin Halek. She purchased a trophy and whomever gave the most money each day earned the right to display the trophy, which had a clever name.
“She called it the candy crusher,” Cape Coral customer service manager Chrissy Means said.
This was the second year the Cape office has opened their hearts to continue a program created last year by then Cape Coral Customer Service Manager Lorena Velasquez, who is a military veteran.
Means said they are excited about the check presentation ceremony. “It’s a big day. Patrick in our office is a veteran and we have two other clerks from the office who have family members who are veterans. We also have veterans coming from Lehigh for the check presentation.”
Hearts and Homes is a non-profit corporation, based in Fort Myers, which provides subsidized housing to low- and middle-income veterans. The organization also provides food and job support for veterans seeking employment, as well as assisting them in applying for benefits.
About Lee County Tax Collector
The Lee County Tax Collector (LCTC) exists to serve the citizens of Lee County. The office takes pride in organizational excellence and offering exemplary customer service and operates by the credo of “We’ve got your back.” The LCTC operates leetc.com, the official interactive website of the tax collector, which allows county residents to quickly and easily take care of motor vehicle and vessel registration, pay property taxes, make appointments for concealed weapon permits and more. The agency operates seven service centers open daily throughout the county to provide efficient, convenient services. The LCTC works to provide innovative and quality service that supports the growth and sustainability of the community. For more information, visit leetc.com or follow Lee County Tax Collector on social media.
