The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee has announced that the 2018-2019 United Way Campaign Chairs will be Linda Doggett and Robert Shearman. The goal for the new campaign will be $10,301,386 which is a 3% increase over what was raised for the previous campaign.
Linda Doggett is the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Lee County. She is also a native Floridian. Doggett is a United Way Board Member, and a United Way Allocations Team Leader. She has been active in many court related organizations such as the Florida Commission for Access to Civil Justice, and is on the Board of Directors of the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers organization. Linda and her spouse, Don, have two daughters.
Robert Shearman is a Board Certified Civil Trial attorney with Henderson Franklin Attorneys at Law, and concentrates on defense of tort, civil rights and real estate law. He is a United Way Board member, a United Way Allocations Team Leader, and a United Way ReadingPal. Shearman has been a Big Brother and a trustee of the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. He is married, has three children, and has lived in Fort Myers since 1989.
Regarding this year’s campaign, Shearman said, “Linda and I have chosen a theme for the campaign, ‘The Power of U’ that refers to both the power of you as an individual and the power of United Way to make a difference in the community. Every individual, every company, every dollar given to United Way makes a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of local people.”
Doggett added, “The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee has a strong history of successful campaigns and continues to support the growing needs of the people of our community. This campaign will be the largest ever, and every penny of it will be needed to meet the needs of our constantly growing community. This campaign will support over 100 agencies and 250 programs that help hundreds of thousands of our friends and neighbors! I am a native Floridian, and I know how important United Way is to this community. I am excited to be a part of this vital campaign, and hope the community will embrace the challenge and support the needs of our community.”
“Being asked to chair the United Way Campaign is an honor and a challenge,” said Shearman. “It is a huge responsibility to raise over $10.3 million for our United Way, but we will pursue the goal with passion and enthusiasm. When people ask me why I support our United Way, I answer that it is one of the most efficient, effective and compassionate ways to give back to the community we love.”
“Both Linda Doggett and I have been involved with United Way as members of the board of directors and allocations team leaders. . The Allocations process has given us an understanding and appreciation of the incredible work being done by United Way Partner Agencies. We have seen these agencies in action helping children, veterans, seniors, and families who are struggling. United Way and over 100 Partner Agencies work tirelessly to meet the real human needs of our community.” I witnessed United Way in action during Hurricane Irma and observed first-hand the difference it makes.”
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee has raised and distributed over $167 million since it was established in 1957.
All money raised in the United Way campaign stays in the local community to help support the local human service network. United Way Partner Agencies and initiatives include: The Alvin A Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Harry Chapin Food Bank, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and United Way 211, to mention a few. These agencies serve a diverse range of needs in our community such as nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, and meeting critical needs like helping the elderly and disabled live independently, and empowering communities by bringing health and human services to neighborhoods.
In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, the United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies and initiatives, helping them to work together focusing on issues and solutions that continue to improve lives.