We all have been to the Tax Collector’s office for the many vital government services (DL, CW license, property taxes, hunting and fishing licenses, making application to vote, etc) we receive there. But this is not a story about that. Rather, this is a note of appreciation for Tax Collectors and Tax Collector staff across the state who give back so much to their communities.
“I am amazed and humbled at the amount of time and resources my colleagues and their staff across the state spend in helping those who need it most this time of year” said Joe Tedder, Tax Collector in and for the Polk county political subdivision and former President of FTCA.
Here are just two of the many examples across the state of Tax Collectors’ offices giving back.
The Holiday Season is such a joyful time of year, especially for children. Unfortunately, not all children in our local communities are fortune enough to wake up on Christmas morning to a bounty of gifts under the tree. As a way to give back to their local communities each year, employees of Sharon Jordan’s office, Tax Collector in and for the Suwannee county political subdivision, sponsor families in need. They provide Christmas gifts, and hopefully blessings and smiles to some of the less fortunate children in their local community.
Sharon Jordan’s office “adopts” families from a program called Love Sparky’s Kids, which is a local partnership between Love in the Name of Christ, a faith-based non-profit organization, and the Live Oak Fire Department.
The office funds this project and gift purchases with “Jeans Day.” Each employee of the office who wishes to wear jeans on any given Friday must pay $1.00 to the “Jeans Fund.” At the end of the year, the Jeans Fund is used to purchase Christmas gifts for their adopted families.
Small gestures can mean a big difference in the eyes of a child who otherwise may not receive a gift for Christmas. This year alone, Sharon Jordan’s office, local businesses, and families and individuals in the Suwannee county community have helped make Christmas a little more magical for almost 900 children.
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“This is our favorite time of year – Spreading cheer to kids of all years!” – Kim Kapela, Training Coordinator Representing Vickie Potts, Charlotte County Tax Collector
Tax Collector, Vickie Potts, and her staff have a number of projects in place to raise money for those in need in their local community. The office has a “Jeans Fund” in which employees pay $5.00 a month for the privilege of wearing jeans. The office also plays email Bingo, and sells sheets for $1.00, holds bake sales, luncheons, raffles and makes lotto trees. Some of Vickie Potts’ staff even donated two children’s bikes to raffle off to raise money.
Vickie Potts’ office raises money as a whole, but the various branches divide and conquer when it’s time to shop! At the beginning of December, the money is divided up and every department chooses who they would like to shop for. This year was phenomenal!
Her staff sponsored Empty Bowls with the Homeless Coalition plus bought gifts for some of their Angels; donated to the Salvation Army’s Food Bank and bought gifts for some of their Angels as well. They brightened the holidays for 14 Senior Angels with Home Instead Senior Care as well as some residents of their local VA assisted living home. They also purchased gifts for the Boys & Girls club Angels. And last but not least, the office asked Ellen Harvey, with Charlotte County Public Schools to assist them in helping locate local kids in their schools in need. Here is Ms. Harvey’s thank you note:
You are all amazing! 20 families plus one classified homeless with 3 girls were given gifts of toys, clothes, blankets, gift cards and so much more! You went out of your way to make their Christmas amazing! I am humbled by your friendship, generosity, and spirit of grace and joy. Thank you.
Ellen Harvey
Curriculum Specialist for Fine Arts, World Languages, Health and PE
Charlotte County Public Schools Admin Building
All year long, Vickie Potts and her staff raise money for one organization or another. Vickie Potts said, “my employees give so much, not just during the holiday season but all year round. I am honored to serve alongside such loving and caring individuals.
There are so many more examples of Tax Collectors’ offices giving back we would love to share. The Florida Tax Collectors Association wishes each and every one of you a Happy Holiday Season.