Local 1279 - APWU 17+

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer is congratulated by Mike Sullivan, center, of President of Suncoast Area Local American Postal Workers Union in St. Petersburg and Sam Wood, right, President of the Southwest Florida Area Local American Postal Workers Union in Fort Myers after taking a good shot on Thursday, February 19, 2009, during the 11th annual Minnesota Twins Celebrity Golf Classic at the Verandah in Fort Myers. The tournament raised money for Lee Cancer Care.
Minnesota Twins Co-Chairmen Dave Grant and Sam Wood posing with Twins Mascot T.C. after the on field check presentation. In 2009 the the Minnesota Twins Tournament raised over $111,000 for Lee Cancer Care.
Left To Right: Kim Guy (Asst Clerk Craft Director - Greater Smokey Mountain Area Local), Bud Hissam (Secretary/Treasurer Manasota Local), Joe Mauer (Catcher Minnesota Twins), and Darla Howard Southwest Florida Area Local, pose for a picture.
Twins Website --->

Fort Myers Miracle -->
Lee Memorial Health System Website
The Southwest Florida Area Local has helped raise over $1,000,000 for Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. Our largest fundraiser has been with the Minnesota Twins Celebrity Golf Tournament which is held in February every year. Bert Blyleven was the Honorary Chairman of the event. Bert was voted unanimously as an honorary member of the Southwest Florida Area Local in 2007. Bert is well known for his 22 years pitching in the major leagues, but what mostly goes unnoticed is the charity work that he does. Some of the other charities he has been associated with are Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Juvenile Diabetes, Leukemia Association and Parkinson's Association. Bert is not only a caring person but for those who know Bert rarely see him refuse to give an autograph or speak to his fans. Bert is truly a class act and we are honored to have him as a honorary member of our local. Congratulations to Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven.