Press Release: On August 27, more than 250 United Way supporters and partners joined United Way of Escambia County at First Baptist Church of Pensacola to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and the many community partners who helped improve lives in our area. The 2014-15 Annual Meeting featured a keynote address from Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Thomas shared educational successes and challenges in our community as well as what our community would look like if there were no United Way.
United Way of Escambia County thanked donors, partners and sponsors for raising more than $3.14M. These funds were then leveraged to create an estimated $9.18M impact. Additionally, non-profit partners were able to secure over $2.39M in matching dollars. The total impact on our community will be over $11.57M.
Through a focus on improved education, health and financial stability, United Way’s collaboration with passionate partners and dedicated volunteers effectively leveraged funds to create better opportunities for all. To improve Readiness for Success in education, Cram the Van engaged 166 volunteers who helped supply 7,524 local children with over $58,000 worth of school supplies. Two partner agencies worked to increase Healthy Behaviors and Strengthened Independence by improving nutrition for 6,504 individuals. In order to address the Lack of Self-Sufficiency regarding individuals’ financial stability, the MyFreeTaxes.com and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs resulted in a $5.1 million impact on the community.
Outgoing Chair, Gary Sammons, and 2015-17 Board Chair, David Peaden, were honored to recognize the stellar contributions of the following individuals and organizations:
RAYELL IRISH, COLOR A BRIGHTER WORLD: Mattie Broxton, The Salvation Army
UNITED WAY PARTNER AGENCY OF THE YEAR: Legal Services of North Florida
DISTINGUISHED BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR: Pensacola State College
UNITED WAY SERVICE AWARD: Cedric Durre, Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund
DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY SERVICE: Ed Carson, Carson Construction and Carson, Lovell, Inc.
VOLUNTEER GROUP OF THE YEAR: AMI Kids-Pensacola Escambia Boys Base
VITA VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Ed Blanc
DAY OF CARING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Matthew Teston
United Way leadership shared their gratitude for the 2,676 community volunteers who donated over 30,000 hours of service to make this work possible. In total, their time and talent was a $703,035 gift to the community.