Fasano Sends Leftover Campaign Cash To Charity

State Sen. Mike Fasano is making good on his promise to give his leftover campaign funds to charity, though he has a lot fewer dollars remaining than he initially thought.

Fasano, R-New Port Richey, is in the process of doling out some $40,000 in campaign cash to 15 charities in his 11th District, which includes northern Pinellas County and the western portions of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

Among the Hernando County benefactors is ARC of the Nature Coast, which will use $2,050 to help purchase wheelchairs for a brother and sister in Weeki Wachee who have spina bifida, said Greg Giordano, Fasano's spokesman.

The local chapter of Big Brothers, Big Sisters will receive $500. The chapters in Pasco, Pinellas and Citrus also are on the list.

The YMCA of the Suncoast, which includes the branch in Hernando, will get $5,000.

Fasano was kind to groups in his own neighborhood of New Port Richey, including Bishop Larkin Catholic School, the playground fund of Schrader Elementary School, the Good Samaritan Clinic, the West Pasco Pregnancy Center, Community United Methodist Church, Heritage Lake Estates Civic Association and VFW Post 7845.

Rounding out the list are the Salvation Army; Florida Hospital's Zephyrhills Foundation; the Volunteer Way, a faith-based hunger relief group; and the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program.

Fasano estimated earlier this month he'd have some $100,000 of the $675,000 in campaign contributions collected to defeat his Democratic opponent, which he did handily. The amount turned out to be closer to $60,000, Giordano said.

He said Fasano will put the remaining $20,000 in his Senate surplus account to use during his last four-year term. The money is used by lawmakers to pay costs associated with their jobs, such as purchasing tickets to community events and fundraisers.