SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
The United Way of Charlotte County kicked off its fundraising campaign Tuesday with a celebrity waiter event at John Hall’s Goal Post Grill and Sports Bar in Port Charlotte. All of the tip money made during the event goes to the United Way of Charlotte County. The next fundraising event will be from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce’s Third Wednesday Coffee at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda. Here, Kevin Russell, president of the United Way of Charlotte County, spends a moment with Chris Porter, executive editor of the Charlotte Sun and a United Way board member.

SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
T.C. and Len Dorler of Port Charlotte get close during the United Way fundraising campaign at John Hall’s Goal Post Grill and Sports Bar.

SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
Gathering for some munchies are, clockwise from left: Betty Holicki, Mary Davis, Roger Davis, John Holicki, Bart Daily, 5-year-old Sadie Hussey and Sue Blackwell of Port Charlotte.

SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
Looking proud in their Live United T-shirts are cousins Mason Sifrit, 8, Parker Sifrit, 8, and Hunter Sifrit, 6. They attended with their grandmom, Sue Sifrit, who is also a board member of the United Way of Charlotte County.

SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
From left, 8-year-old Rylee, mom Callie, 11-year-old Cutter; and behind is dad Todd Rebol, who also helped out with bartending during the United Way fundraising event at John Hall’s Goal Post Grill and Sports Bar.

SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
Enjoying the evening are, from left, Sandy and Vicky McPhee, and Marilyn and Hank Banger of Port Charlotte.

SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
Smiling happily are Diana Heinlein of Port Charlotte, and Rigo Menendez of North Port, during the United Way fundraising event at John Hall’s Goal Post Grill and Sports Bar.

SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
United Way board member Maura Matzko and her husband Rick of Punta Gorda.

SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
United Way of Charlotte County board member Linda Rice happily buys a 50/50 chance from Pam Miller, CFO of the United Way of Charlotte County.

SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
Celebrity bartender and member of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce is Paul Polk, with real bartender Tiffany Hoyt, along with celebrity bartender Julie Mathis, the executive director of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce.

SUN PHOTO BY SANDY PRAY
Getting a big smile while laughing with this photographer are John Hall and Juli and Mike Riley, Charlotte County Public Schools spokesman, during the United Way fundraising event at Hall’s sports bar.