Casual Mondays Help Raise Funds For Hurricane Victims

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL -- If you visit the Pinellas County Tax Collector's Office on a Monday, there's a good chance you'll see team members wearing jeans, sneakers and T-shirts. But it has nothing to do with a lax dress code. It's all about giving back to people who, in many ways, are exactly like them.

The Pinellas County Tax Collector's Office is raising money for fellow tax collector employees in Bay County who are rebuilding their lives after Hurricane Michael. Pinellas employees are rewarded with a casual dress day on Mondays for a $5 donation. Individual offices are hosting other fundraising efforts, such as spaghetti lunches and a chili cook-off during lunch breaks.

"We recognize that if the storm turned, it could've very easily been us in the eye of the storm," said Pinellas County Tax Collector Charles W. Thomas."We feel a strong calling to help our neighbors in need, especially our fellow tax collector employees."

To date, the Pinellas County Tax Collector team members have donated more than $1,500 for Bay County Tax Collector employees and their families. Offices are committed to continue with "Jeans for Bay County" as long as the need exists. And the giving doesn't stop there.

In addition, Thomas announced its office locations will partner with the following six nonprofits in 2019 to promote their causes:

Florida Heart Research Foundation (February 2019)

Preserve Vision Florida (March 2019)

Lauren's Kids (April 2019)

Florida Animal Friend (June 2019)

Neighborly Care Network / Meals on Wheels (August 2019)

Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (October 2019)

"As public servants, we strive to give back to the community we serve. It's so important; it's part of our Mission and Values," said Thomas.

The Pinellas County Tax Collector's Office also spearheads Kids Tag Art Pinellas, where fifth-grade students at Pinellas County public schools design original front license plates. Now in its fourth year, the program has raised $100,000 for school art programs and a fine arts scholarship fund at St. Petersburg College. Plates can be purchased for $15 by clicking here.

Image via Pinellas Tax Collector

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