United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades will be hosting its annual 2022-2023 Campaign Kick Off on December 14, 2022. The event will be held at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, located on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College. Networking and light breakfast items will be available at 8:30 a.m. The program will start at 9:00 a.m.
Tickets are on sale for $15, available through the Barbara B. Mann website https://bit.ly/UWKickoff22_23. The kickoff event is the start of United Way’s annual fundraising effort. United Way team members, partner agencies, and volunteers will unite to raise awareness and excitement in the community through the testimonials of donors, advocates, and recipients. Pacesetter results will be announced at this time. United Way Pacesetters are companies that run their campaigns early in order to set the pace for the rest of the community. The event also allows attendees to network with hundreds of United Way supporters.
United Way Campaign Co-Chairs Sally Jackson and Matt Humphreys will lead the Kickoff to the goal of $11,186,558.
The theme of this year’s campaign has shifted to “United More Than Ever”. Regarding this year’s campaign theme, Jackson said, “United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades is our United Way. With one gift, you can help 90 agencies and over 260 programs that make a difference to people from early childhood through senior life. One person, one donor, one volunteer can make a difference in the lives of many of our friends and neighbors. We want United Way to be your way to make a difference.”
“Being the chair of the United Way Campaign is an honor and a challenge,” Humphreys added. “It is a huge responsibility to raise nearly $11.2 million for our United Way especially in the aftermath of a disaster, but I will pursue the goal with passion and enthusiasm. When people ask me why I support our United Way, I answer that it is one of the most efficient, effective, and compassionate ways to give back to the community I love. It is the best way to connect people who need help with people who can help.”
A two year lease for a 2022 Acura from Scanlon Auto Group will be given away to an annual contributor of $240 or more from the 2020-2021 United Way Campaign. Five donors to the campaign are drawn at random, and one will discover the keys in a gift box at the event.
All money raised in the United Way campaign stays in the local community to help support the local human service network. United Way Partner Agencies and initiatives include: The Alvin A Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Harry Chapin Food Bank, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and United Way 211, to mention a few. These agencies serve a diverse range of needs in our community such as nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, and meeting critical needs like helping the elderly and disabled live independently, and empowering communities by bringing health and human services to neighborhoods.
In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, the United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies and initiatives, helping them to work together focusing on issues and solutions that continue to improve lives.