I am truly excited to be nominated by the Polk County Sheriff's Office to participate in the 2023 Mr. Central Florida Fundraiser. As a law enforcement officer I consistently have contact with community members and meet individuals that require assistance with communicating. I learned that some individuals do not have the capability of transportation or funds to pay for services. This is where The Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center offers great services to children and adults to improve their communication skills. The Mr. Central Florida fundraiser is an amazing way for individuals to receive services from the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center. The goal is to not only provide services at the Speech and Hearing Center, but to expand where these same services can be brought to individuals that are unable to travel to the center.

Let’s make this a successful fundraiser to help individuals receive assistance that otherwise would not be attainable. Thank you for your support and I will strive to make a positive impact.

Sergeant Gustavo Aguirre

Polk County Sheriff's Office

Bureau of Criminal Investigations

Robbery Unit

The Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that depends on the generosity of the community to support patients that require subsidized funding. It is through these individuals and organizations that we are able to turn no one away for services.

• The majority of the children treated at the Center are underinsured and have nowhere else to turn for services.
• 230 kids come to the Center each week for speech therapy; 90% of them require subsidized funding.
• The Center's diagnosis of children with hearing loss has increased by 300%.
• Last year, the Center doubled the number of patients seen for hearing sevices.
• Over 96,000 citizens in Polk County have a documented hearing loss.
• Hearing loss is associated with high blood pressure, dementia, diabetes and falling.

Mr. Central Florida is the Center's annual fundraiser, providing the funds needed to serve thousands of patients each year!