The Bonita Bay Group and its employees have broken their own record and raised nearly half a million dollars for the 2003-2004 United Way of Lee County campaign.

Employees pledged more than $245,861, and The Bonita Bay Group continued its tradition of matching the funds dollar for dollar. The company's total contribution of $491,722 helps bring the United Way of Lee County campaign total over 75 percent of this year's $4,928,125 goal.

"This is a remarkable contribution from the employees of a single company," said Cliff Smith, president of United Way of Lee County. "The executive team and management of The Bonita Bay Group have been going above and beyond to support the work of United Way for the past 14 years.

They provide an opportunity for employees to follow their lead and make a difference in the lives of others, and since they began their employee giving in 1990, they have raised more than $3 million for the United Way of Lee County."