2024 Annual Celebration
United Way of Central Florida celebrated 80 years in the community Thursday night at its Annual Celebration. Taking the audience on a journey through the last 80 years, individuals were honored that were instrumental in shaping United Way of Central Florida into what it is now.
Past leaders were brought in to share details from the past and present, giving depth and history to the services provided today. Among the speakers were Board Chair Michael Tamney, State Attorney Brian Haas and UWCF President and CEO Christina Criser Jackson.
“We couldn’t have arrived here without paying tribute to the past”, Criser Jackson said. “In 1944 Lakeland visionaries started what now is United Way of Central Florida. We’ve seen incredible growth in the last eighty years, resulting in tremendous impact on our community.” The incredible growth she mentions is not only in the number of individuals impacted by United Way services (153,000 last year alone), but also in how the community has embraced United Way philanthropically. Eighty years ago the campaign goal was just $22,000 and today the organization raises over $13 million for local services.
Tamney shared, “Throughout our history, our name and geographical area served has changed, but one thing remains the same… we serve the greatest needs for our neighbors.” Starting with 5 partner agencies, United Way now partners with 69 organizations, providing services throughout Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties.
Haas later introduced the attendees to ALICE. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of families who are working, but due to childcare costs, transportation challenges, high cost of living and so much more are living paycheck to paycheck.
“These workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin, while keeping our local communities running. ALICE represents our teachers, our first responders, our frontline workers – the people that we rely on in our daily lives,” Haas said.
According to UnitedforALICE.org, 50% of households in Polk, Hardee and Highlands are at or below the ALICE threshold.
“There is a long legacy of this community uniting to meet the needs of people struggling to get by,” Haas said. “And while we know the basics of how we help; Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs; that looks different for every life we touch. Central Florida is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation right now. We’re going to need every single person in this room to help us serve this growing community.”
The night ended with an incredible performance by Harrison alumni and Broadway star, Quentin Earl Darrington singing An Impossible Dream and 2024 Campaign Chair Greg Littleton encouraging the audience to participate in another year of empowering everyone to achieve their full potential and to lead the way in giving to a new United Way campaign, challenging the room to help raise an extra $80,000. At the conclusion of the evening, the event helped raise nearly $102,000 to boost us into the next campaign year. (uwcf.org/give80)
United Way also presented awards for Philanthropist of the Year, George W. Jenkins Outstanding Volunteer, Carol Jenkins Barnett Success By 6 Child Advocacy, Citizen of the Year and Difference-Maker. Award winners include Kelly Williams-Puccio (Philanthropist of the Year), Paul Noris (George W. Jenkins Outstanding Volunteer), Cindi Parker-Pearson (Carol Jenkins Barnett Success By 6 Child Advocacy Award Winner), Kimberly Elmhorst (Citizen of the Year) and Stuart Baldick (Difference Maker).
Thank you again to our incredible event sponsors: CPS Investment Advisors, WPCV 97.5, WWRZ Max 98.3, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, LKLDNow, Tampa Electric, Bank of Central Florida,Central Florida Health Care, Citizens Bank & Trust, Early Learning Coalition, EMERGE Lakeland, GiveWell Community Foundation, Good Intents Marketing, Heartland for Children, Michael Tamney at Morgan Stanley, Orlando Health, Women’s Resource Center.
Thank you to Daryl Ward and Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance for coordinating our performances and emceeing our event.
