Indianapolis-based Lee Supply continues to raise money and awareness through its partnership with Dyslexia Institute of Indiana. In each of the last four years, plumbing and HVAC distributor Lee Supply has sponsored a “60 Days Makes a Difference” initiative where funds are raised for DII.

Now in its fourth year partnering with the group, Lee Supply locations have raised more than $70,000 this year for DII. A recent open house at the Lee Supply Kohler showroom in Carmel, Ind., raised $41,000 alone. In four years, Lee Supply has raised a total of nearly $150,000 for DII.

Lee Supply’s Bob Lee is the vice chairman on the DII Board of Directors, while Lee’s Ryan Phillips is part of the group’s finance committee. Chip Lee is heavily involved with vendor participation in the annual fall initiative.

“We’ve received some great responses from companies such as Bradford White, Delta Faucet, Zoeller Pump Co. and Kohler,” Bob Lee noted.

Lee Supply became involved after Bob Lee’s wife, Paula, began working as a DII tutor. “I got involved with the committees and that’s where it started and this is where we are headed,” Bob Lee said. “We’ve raised a lot of money. They can never get enough money to tutor these young kids and adults. A lot of money is needed to sponsor the tutoring.”

Chip Lee attributes the spike in donations to several factors. “We are getting better at it and the leadership at DII has really stepped up and helps us get this information out and is there to answer any questions,” he said. “We are working and learning together.”

Bob Lee added: “This is our fourth year and our vendors and customers know what we are doing. Last year kids wrote thank-you cards to send out to people who contributed and that had a real effect. It showed the accomplishment of what good tutoring can do for these kids. Our vendors and customers are eager to participate.”

Founded in 1949, Lee Supply has 13 locations in Indiana and Ohio and has eight Kohler showrooms.