Lee Mental Health, SWFAS Blood Drive Challenge Results In 50% Increase In Donations

July 19, 2012 - PRLog -- For more information contact:

Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC
Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C.                    
1900 Virginia Avenue, #703              
Fort Myers, FL 33901               
(239) 277-5255 Phone               
(239) 246-0844 Cell             
sbennett@susanbennett.biz              


Todd Cordisco
VP Community Relations
Lee Mental Health Center, Inc.
Fort Myers, FL  33905
cordisct@leementalhealth.org
(239) 791-1575 Phone



LEE MENTAL HEALTH, SWFAS BLOOD DRIVE CHALLENGE
RESULTS IN 50% INCREASE IN DONATIONS;
LEE MENTAL HEALTH CEO SHAVES MUSTACHE IN RESPONSE

FORT MYERS, Fla., July 19, 2012 - To increase blood donations and make giving more fun, Lee Mental Health and Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS) recently participated in the Second Annual “Blood Drive Challenge” to see which agency’s employees would donate the most blood.

Blood donations were collected at both agencies July 12 by Lee Memorial Health System Bloodmobiles.  The results are in and SWFAS won the challenge – with both a greater percentage of employees donating blood and a greater number of pints donated, too!  

SWFAS had 39 pints donated, while Lee Mental Health had 37 pints collected at their campuses. Between the two organizations, 76 pints of blood were donated in one day, which will impact up to 228 lives.

To up the ante and encourage more employees to give, the agency CEOs agreed that the CEO of the agency that lost the challenge would shave his mustache.  Lee Mental Health President & CEO David Winters followed through on the friendly wager and did indeed shave his mustache!

“What’s most gratifying is that employees at both agencies really stepped up this year and gave about 50 percent more this year than last, which will help even more people in our community,” said SWFAS CEO Kevin B. Lewis.

Both Lewis and Lee Mental Health Center President & CEO David Winters agreed that at the end of the day, it’s really about giving back to the community that gives so much every day to support mental health and substance abuse services.

“Our employees work every day to assist individuals and families in our community in many ways.  Giving back to the community and being part of the solution is a way of life for our employees, and is another example of their investment in helping our friends and neighbors,” Winters said.

It’s the second year in a row that SWFAS has won the challenge.  In addition to retaining the title, SWFAS will keep the “Blood Challenge” trophy, which will rotate among each of its five Lee County offices during the next year.

About SWFAS

SWFAS is Southwest Florida’s leader in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.   More than 6,000 people per year, from ages 9 to 90, start on the road to recovery with SWFAS. SWFAS provides detoxification services for adults, outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, and day treatment for kids and adults, prevention programming, and an Employee Assistance Program.  All treatment programs are evidence-based and accredited by CARF.

SWFAS services are not free.  Payment plans are available and, in many cases, private insurance may cover some of the cost of treatment.  SWFAS is a United Way agency. SWFAS provides services for all regardless of disability or handicap.  Accommodations will be provided upon request.  For more information, call (239) 332-6937 or visit www.swfas.org


About Lee Mental Health Center

Lee Mental Health has been providing mental health and substance abuse services to Southwest Florida since 1969, focusing on the unique needs of both adults and children.  Lee Mental Health services are available to the entire community. Fees are affordable and may be adjusted to the means of clients based on state guidelines. Lee Mental Health Center provides a full array of services with CARF accreditation.
The Access Center provides mental health assessments for first-time, non-emergency clients. Come between 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday-Friday for an assessment at our Vista campus, 10140 Deer Run Farms Rd., Ft. Myers, 33966. Call our Welcome Center at (239) 275-3222 with questions.  Visit us on Facebook or at www.leementalhealth.org.
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