PINELLAS TAX COLLECTOR OFFICES BRING AWARENESS TO IMPORTANT CAUSE

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – Local tax collector offices partner with the Florida nonprofit, Lauren’s Kids, for the month of March to raise funds and spread awareness to help prevent child sexual assault, harassment, and abuse.

Customers visiting Pinellas tax collector offices in March can show their support by switching to the Lauren’s Kids specialty license plate or through monetary donations. Those who donate $1 will receive a special Lauren’s Kids bracelet as a thank you, while $5 donations will be thanked with a Lauren’s Kids pen. Any customer who switches to the specialty license plate in March is eligible to enter a drawing for a $25 Visa or American Express gift card as a thank-you from Lauren’s Kids.

Many people don’t realize the significance of sexual abuse in communities around the country. The facts speak for themselves—before turning 18, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will be sexually abused in the United States. There are over 42 million childhood sexual abuse survivors in the U.S. today, and 95% of sexual abuse is preventable through education – making Lauren’s Kids such a valuable organization working right here in Florida.

Lauren’s Kids was founded by Lauren Book in 2007. Book is a former teacher, best-selling author, Florida State Senator, and childhood sexual abuse survivor. Book’s own traumatic experiences fueled her mission to prevent childhood sexual abuse and help other survivors to heal.

“We are honored to team up with Lauren’s Kids again this year,” said Pinellas County Tax Collector, Charles W. Thomas. “Spreading awareness about childhood sexual abuse is so important because it is the first step in prevention and healing. Our organization is community-focused and puts community first – and partnering with this organization is just another way for us to give back.”

Donations made in tax collector offices to Lauren’s Kids will stay local, with funds going toward education and awareness programs in Pinellas County such as training and abuse prevention curriculums for local teachers. Find more information about Lauren’s Kids at laurenskids.org.

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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.