$22,500 Raised For Schools By Pasco County Tax Collector

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices collected donations this summer for the Pasco County School District and select charter schools’ ABC (Assist, Believe & Care) Program.

The program was created to provide financial assistance to students and their families who are experiencing economic hardship, especially when those needs interfere with the student’s ability to be academically successful.

In past years, the tax collector’s office has donated thousands of dollars to Pasco schools to support this important program.

“These uncertain economic times can provide extra stress upon families who have already had to deal with COVID and other challenges,” said Fasano. “Thanks to the ABC Program or its equivalent in many charter schools, funds can be designated to students and their families who are experiencing hardship or crisis. During the month of July, our five offices collected monetary donations of $22,500 to help children and their families in their time of need.”

Ten Pasco elementary schools each received $2,000 to be used by its respective ABC Program. Additionally, five Pasco charter schools received $500 each. The following schools all received donations delivered by Pasco Tax Collector staff or by letter:

• Cox Elementary School, Dade City
• Lacoochee Elementary School, Lacoochee
• West Zephyrhills Elementary School, Zephyrhills
• Woodland Elementary School, Zephyrhills
• Lake Myrtle Elementary School, Land O’ Lakes
• Mary Giella Elementary School, Spring Hill
• Gulfside Elementary School, Holiday
• Hudson Primary School, Hudson
• Sunray Elementary School, Holiday
• Calusa Elementary School, New Port Richey
• Dayspring Academy, Port Richey
• Athenian Academy, New Port Richey
• Pepin Academy of Pasco, New Port Richey
• Learning Lodge Academy, New Port Richey
• Academy at the Farm, Dade City

“On behalf of the staff, students and families of Lacoochee Elementary School, we would like to thank you for your generous donation of $2,000!” wrote Principal Latoya Jordan. “It is rewarding for us to know that there are people like you who want our children to succeed just as much as we do, and this donation will help us to be more effective with their success. Because of your kindness, our students and families will experience the wonderful gift of caring that our community has to offer.”

“On behalf of the Athenian Academy of Technology and the Arts, I just want to thank you for the generous gift of $500 to help provide uniforms for families in need at our school,” said Principal Evan Markowitz. “With recent Hurricane Idalia, we have a family going through the FEMA process now. This is one of the families these funds will be assisting with uniforms. We are working with the Students in Transition Program as well to help get the family some additional resources during this difficult time. I just want you to know that this donation was a big help to this family in need and will support many other families too."

For more information about the Pasco Tax Collector’s charitable giving programs, please contact Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179 or visit www.pascotaxes.com.

Donations may also be mailed to the tax collector’s office at the following address: Tax Collector Mike Fasano, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526.