Pinellas Tax Collector Employees Give Back to Community with Donation to Homeless Empowerment Program

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – On the morning of Thursday, February 23^rd, Pinellas County Tax Collector, Charles W. Thomas, and members of his team visited Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) in Clearwater to present a $1402.25 donation.

Each year, tax collector employees nominate local nonprofit organizations to fundraise for, followed by an employee vote to determine the winning organization. For 2022, HEP received the most votes, and the employees internally raised funds for the organization all year long.

New for 2022 – the employees created the “Thread of Hope” fundraising initiative. Employees who wish to participate provide a donation to break the usual dress code and participate in a fun themed clothing day – with all proceeds going toward HEP. Themes throughout 2022 included: Disney Day, Sports Day, Tropical Shirt Day, and more. The $1402.25 donation delivered to HEP came from donations made through this initiative.

Photo of Tax Collector, Charles W. Thomas, and team delivering 2022 HEP donation — Tax Collector, Charles W. Thomas (far right), presents
the 2022 donation to HEP Marketing Coordinator,
Megan Risser, with members of the tax collector team
(left)

“Our team is always eager to give back to our community, and our yearly internal fundraiser is just one way in which we do that,” Tax Collector, Charles W. Thomas said. “We are proud to support the Homeless Empowerment Program. With the recent affordable housing challenges that have arisen, it is crucial for programs like HEP to thrive.”

It was a great day for Mr. Thomas and his accompanying team members at HEP as they got to visit the various facilities and offices of the organization and get an insider’s view of the vast amount of work HEP does for the homeless community in Pinellas.

“HEP is a truly wonderful organization and the sheer amount of work they do within our community was really astonishing to see,” continued Mr. Thomas. “I am thrilled our team could help their efforts in some way.”

Founded in 1986, HEP provides homeless and low-income families and individuals, including Veterans, with housing, food, clothing, and support services necessary to obtain self-sufficiency and improved quality of life. Find more info about HEP at hepempowers.org.

Tax collector employees participating in a "Sports" theme day — Tax Collector employees participating in a "Thread of
Hope" Sports Day

For 2023, the tax collector offices are internally fundraising for Clothes to Kids through the Thread of Hope initiative.

###

ABOUT THE PINELLAS COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE: The Pinellas County Tax Collector’s Office is a constitutionally elected office. Responsibilities include collecting and distributing state and local taxes and providing driver license and motor vehicle registration services to Pinellas County residents. For more information, visit pinellastaxcollector.gov.