Community Involvement

Home-Tech Gives Back to Our Community

Home-Tech started giving back over 10 years ago, by involvement with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity. Helping others, especially in the realm of housing, is second nature to our in-home service company.  Over the past 6 years we have donated more than $500,000 to build 12 homes for Habitat for Humanity in Lee County through the Community Contribution Tax Credit program.  Over the past 10 years, Home-Tech has become increasingly involved in many national and local charities in our community.

In 2009, Home-Tech initiated a “Charity of the Month Program”.  As a “thank you” to our customers, this program donated a portion of sales from customer air-conditioning purchases to a charity in the customer’s name.  This was done in lieu of a corporate gift.  Home-Tech donated over $16,000 through this successful program.

For Christmas, December 2011, Home-Tech held it’s first ever Santa Suds Giveaway which gave the community an opportunity to nominate deserving families to receive a new washer and dryer set.  Six families in Fort Myers and the Sarasota area were blessed before Christmas with the special delivery.  See the stories of our washer and dryer recipients.

Unique Ways We Give Back

Aware of the unique needs of charities, Home-Tech gives to them in various ways. For some, we provide service to their establishments.  Ronald McDonald House, CROW and Eden Autism Services are good examples of this.   In other cases, like the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity, Home-Tech has provided event sponsorships.  Some charities require volunteers.  Home-Tech employees freely give of their time to the Pace Center for Girls and the Animal Refuge Center.

The Ronald McDonald House

The House remains constantly busy with families seeking comfort and refuge while visiting their sick and injured children at The Children’s Hospital nearby.  You can imagine the demands that are placed on the kitchen appliances and ac systems!  With up to six families of four residing there at any given time, the laundry appliances and plumbing get quite a work out.  Home-Tech addresses these demands and provides service when needed.

In addition to supporting the Ronald McDonald House operations, Home-Tech has stepped up, in a difficult economic time, to be the title sponsor of the Ronald McDonald’s House annual Storybook Ball.  Over the last two years we have donated $40,000 to this fundraiser.

The American Heart Association

Home-Tech has been a supporter of the American Heart Association in two ways: Go Red for Women and the Heart Ball. Go Red is a national association of women who raise awareness and funds for women’s heart research.  Sonya Sawyer, our CFO, co-chaired the 2011 Go Red Luncheon in February.  Over $220,000 was raised for women’s heart research. Home-Tech also donates a red washer/dryer each year for the auction.

Home-Tech has also supported the annual Regional Heart Ball, with a sponsorship ranging between $7,500-$10,000.  In 2013, Brian and Sonya Sawyer will be chairing this event, which normally attracts 500 attendees and raises close to $500,000 annually.

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)

Home-Tech provides ongoing service to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) located on Sanibel Island.  A unique facility in our community, CROW cares for sick, injured and orphaned birds, animals and reptiles.  Home-Tech estimates spending approximately 70 to 80 hours a year keeping the CROW facility running smoothly.  CROW requires a smoothly operating facility to nurse animals back to health which includes a laundry facility, appliances and much needed air conditioning services.

The American Red Cross

Home-Tech has been the title sponsor of the American Red Cross’s signature fundraising event, Starstruck.  We have donated more than $20,000 to the cause and continue to support it each year.  We have also made a commitment to support research for heart disease through the American Red Cross.