Pinellas County Tax Collector's Offices Team Up With Preserve Vision

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — This month, the Pinellas County Tax Collector and Preserve Vision Florida are teaming up to build a brighter future for Florida residents by raising funds for vision care and education.

Preserve Vision Florida is the state leader in preserving eyesight. The nonprofit promotes healthy vision through education, service, advocacy and research. It also assists those who cannot afford eye care services by partnering with physicians and optical retailers to provide free vision screenings.

Through the end of March, Pinellas County Tax Collector customers can purchase lens cloths ($1), sunglasses ($5), an auto safety tool ($8), a 7-inch teddy bear ($10) or a large teddy bear that doubles as a glasses case ($25). Voluntary donations of $1 or more will receive a special thank-you gift, so if you're heading to a local tax collector's office this March, be sure to ask how you can help.

Motorcycle owners also have the option to switch to the "Bikers Care" specialty plate. The red, white and blue plate allows bikers to give back to the community, with 40 percent of the proceeds going toward causes that support Floridians with vision-related disabilities (the other 60 percent goes to other Florida nonprofits).

"Promoting Preserve Vision this month is a great way for us to connect with our community," said Tax Collector Charles W. Thomas. "Since healthy vision plays an important role in what we do every day, like conducting vision exams to help keep our roads as safe as possible, it makes sense that we support this cause."

Each year, the tax collector's offices support six Florida nonprofits chosen from submitted applications based on the organization's mission and local impact. Preserve Vision is the second nonprofit of 2023.