OKEECHOBEE — United Way has announced that the campaign chairwoman for the 2020-21 United Way Okeechobee Campaign will be Stephanie Mitrione. Each year an outstanding member of the community takes the lead for the United Way campaign that reaches 16 agencies in the Okeechobee area, affecting 22 different programs. The goal for this year’s United Way Okeechobee Campaign is $168,000. The theme for this year’s campaign is Rise to the Challenge.

Mitrione takes great pride in being active in her community. Currently, she serves as chairwoman of the board of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce and is on the Executive Committee of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, she is on the Board for Quantum House, the Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance of Palm Beach County, the South Florida Fair, SunFest and the Economic Council of Okeechobee County. She is a graduate of the Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2015 and was the recipient of the 2017 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. Mitrione earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. Mitrione is a Palm Beach County native, and currently resides in Jupiter with her husband, son, and daughter.

United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades,and Okeechobee incorporated Okeechobee into the umbrella of services eight years ago. “This year’s United Way Campaign is critical to the residents in need. The pandemic has created more need for services than ever before” says United Way President/CEO Jeannine Joy.

Major contributions to the United Way campaign in Okeechobee come from businesses such as Publix and Zachry Group. All money raised in the United Way Campaign stays in the local community to help support the local human service network of partner agencies. United Way Partner Agencies such as Early Learning Coalition, Hospice of Okeechobee, Treasure Coast Food Bank, and My Aunt’s House serve a diverse range of needs in our community.

Mitrione, external affairs manager for Florida Power & Light, says: “The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee has a strong history of successful campaigns and continues to support the growing needs of the people of our community. This campaign will be the most impactful campaign we’ve ever had due to the ever-increasing needs faced by people due to the pandemic.”

In addition to raising money for human service organizations in our community, the United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies and initiatives, helping them to work together focusing on issues and solutions that continue to improve lives.

For more information, please call United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee at 239-433-2000 or visit www.UnitedWayLee.org.