LCEC’s first United Way Play Day raised nearly $5,500 for local charities. The carnival-like, family-friendly event took place Saturday, Oct. 11, and attracted more than 250 attendees and volunteers.

The United Way Play Day included live entertainment by the Calendar Girls dance group, an Elvis impersonator and LCEC employees with hidden talents. Games, a bounce house, a dunk tank, horse rides and bucket truck rides added to the excitement.

United Way partner organizations, including the Visually Impaired Persons of Southwest Florida, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, LARC, Goodwill Industries, the Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club and United Way 211 among others, joined the action to present interactive booths at the event and to help others learn more about the causes United Way donations support.

LCEC Director of Administration and 2008 Campaign Chairwoman Denise Vidal said the United Way Play Day’s first year was a positive and energizing addition to fund-raising efforts.

“With strong support from United Way and a team effort by LCEC employees, the Play Day readily met its financial and educational goals. We raised more than $5,000, and provided a valuable and fun opportunity for people to learn more about the organizations that depend on our fund-raising efforts,” Vidal said.

Talk is already brewing about making the Play Day an annual event.

LCEC is a member of the United Way Circle of Excellence in recognition for its campaign success, and is recognized as a United Way Pacesetter for running its campaign early.

“LCEC’s mission is to energize the community, and that mission extends beyond electricity to reach into the community. Giving back and supporting our community through the United Way and other charitable organizations in our area continues to be a top priority for LCEC,” Vidal said.

Established in 1940, Lee County Electric Cooperative Inc. is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Marco Island, Sanibel and Captiva islands, Pine Island, Everglades City, Immokalee, Ave Maria and parts of Lehigh Acres. LCEC is one of the largest employers in Lee County with more than 400 employees.

Among the charitable agencies LCEC supports through volunteerism and corporate sponsorship also include the American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement and local school districts. Learn more about LCEC online at www.lcec.net.