CAMPAIGN NEWS

Save the Date.

February 28, 2009 - United Way of South Sarasota Third Annual Walk-A-Thon. Registration at 8:00 am and Walk starts at 9:00 am from the Gazebo at Centennial Park, Historic Downtown Venice.

News and Events.

December 10, 2008 - Over 100 children attended the United Way of South Sarasota County Holiday with a Heart. Each child feasted on Christmas cookies and punch and then met with Santa and received a Publix $20.00 gift certificate that they took home to Mum, Dad or their caregiver. Children from Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Salvation Army, the Englewood, Venice and North Port YMCA, Our Mothers House as well as students from the Loveland Center all received a gift card and were entertained by the Wa-Na-Be's who sang Christmas carols. Santa and his elves did a wonderful job and made a note of all the children's wishes. Many thanks to the Women's Sertoma Group for helping Santa give out the gifts and serve the cookies and punch. Thanks also go to Santa, Publix for providing the refreshments, Summerville At Venice for hosting the event and the United Way Foundation of South Sarasota County for providing the Publix gift cerfificates. 

Fifth Third Bank 2008-2009 Campaign Results.

Fifth Third Bank announced that the campaign results are in for 2008/2009. The employees achieved a 280% increase in giving compared to last year. Many thanks to all at Fifth Third Bank for such an amazing result and demonstrating such a positive firm belief in supporting their local community needs in South Sarasota County.  

Northern Trust Announces 2008-2009 Campaign Results.

What a start to the Campaign year as Northern Trust Bank announces that their 2008-2009 United Way of South Sarasota employee campaign increased by 24%. Kudos go to all employees who participated and achieved such an outstanding result. 

This years United Way of South Sarasota County Campaign kickoff on September 18th was attended by 250 guests and Board President Campbell Reynolds officiated the lunch. Kevin Cox, Campaign Chair told the group that it is a tough year but the Campaign Cabinet and Volunteers were not going to reduce the Campaign goal of $750,000. Kevin shared with the guests " We have many agency programs that depend upon our support and we don't intend to let them down". Mary Gonter was recognized as outgoing Board President and Melinda Mudge was honored and received the Volunteer of the Year award. Kicking off the campaign with gifts were the Sertoma Club of Venice, Venice Nokomis Rotary Club, Surise Rotary Club and the Women's Sertoma Club. 

Campaign Cabinet Named for 2008-2009 Camapign.

Kevin Cox accepts the nomination as Campaign Cabinet Chair for the 2008-2009 United Way of South Sarasota County annual campaign. Joining Kevin on his committee is Terri Britton, Esther Bird, Bonnie Cox, Melinda Mudge, Campbell Retnolds, Eric Robinson, Mark Sabuda, Dick Dodderidge and Pat Ryan.

It was a packed house at the Crow's Nest on Thursday July 24th for their annual United Way Dine out Day. Many thanks to all who enjoyed the great food and fine ambiance. Many thanks also to Steve Harner and his team for their support. 10% of the days proceeds in addition to employee contributions made this day a special day at the Crow's Nest and a generous day for the support of our community needs.

July 2008. Venice MainStreet has teamed up with the United Way of South Sarasota County and will hold a Venice MainStreet Dine Out Day. On July 16th local restaurants and businesses will donate a portion of their days proceeds to benefit our local United Way. Look for the United Way sign posted in their windows downtown and your patronage will support our forty-four locally funded programs. Many thanks to all who agreed to participate in such a generous day of giving. 

June 2008. Mission accomplished was the word upon receiving the campaign results from the Venice Gondolier Sun. The goal of $750,000 has been surpassed anounced Campaign Chair Melinda Mudge. With agency allocations just around the corner it is fitting that we are able to make this announcement. Of course we want to keep on going as we know the needs of our community have grown substantially over this past year. We have until July 31st to complete our final phase, and then on August 1st we start on our 2008/2009 campaign chaired by Kevin Cox. Many thanks to everyone who played a part in achieving this goal - especially our Volunteers, our Board of Directors, Campaign Coordinators and most especially the generosity of those who contributed and supported our mission.   

May 2008. Campaign Goal Almost There. Melinda Mudge, Campaign Chair for the 2007-2008 campaign announced that currently the United Way of South Sarasota had achieved $746,669 towards the annual goal of $750,000. The campaign runs through July 31st 2008 and optimism is the word of the day. Melinda announced that "Goals are great but are meant to be broken, and in this case that's what we fully intend to do". "To help us surpass our goal please go to donate and fill out your pledge". "This is a tough time for many families and children and we need all the help you can give us"  

March 2008. Bay Indies residents once again surpassed their United Way Campaign Goal of $20,000. This is now the third year in a row that Bay Indies residents have opened their hearts and their checkbooks to lend support to our United Way and the forty-four agency funded programs. Many thanks to the Bay Indies United Way Board of Directors, for the stella work of Don Archer and Dave Prosser and to all of the residents who participated. Our hats off to you for running the only combined residential campaign in the South County.

December 2007. The City of North Port announced their results for the United Way of South Sarasota County 2007/2008 campaign. An amazing 400% increase over last year. "Streaking through the $10,000 goal" as Danny Schult shared "is the benchmark for next years campaign" Congratulations and many thanks to all of the City of North Port employees who generously gave. Just recently Children First opened their doors in North Port and very soon the Florida Center for Child and Family Development and the Child Protection Center will be able to serve North Port families in need of their services. The support and generosity of the employees of the City of North Port certainly goes towards helping establish these very much needed services.

NEWS & EVENTS

Saturday February 23rd, 2008. The second annual United Way Agency Walk-A-Thon was attended by well over 380 walkers representing local companies and agencies. A beautiful day of sunshine greeted the walkers. M.C. Bob Mudge welcomed the crowd recognizing the many different groups participating and then Vice Mayor John Moore gave a ready, start, go to the walkers who set out on their four mile round trip walk. Awards for the most walkers and most amount of money raised went to Publix Super Markets. The team spirit award went to Dennis Stover from the Senior Friendship Center for walking the entire route backwards. This amazing bravado increased his pledges by double. Music, Hotdogs, refreshments and good times were had by all. Over $16,500 was raised for the event with 50% of the designated pledges going back to the sponsor agency of choice and 50% going towards the United Way of South Sarasota's annual campaign. Many thanks to the Walk-A-Thon committee chaired by Dave Pierce and co-chaired by Terri Britton for a great event.

Previous Events

Wednesday March 28th 2007 - Publix Charities Presents Check

Publix Charities presented to the United Way of South Sarasota a check in the amount of $126,900. The presentation took place at the Publix Super Market at the Jacaranda Blvd location in Venice. Presenting the check to United Way of South Sarasota County Board President Evan Duke were Terry Ball District Manager and Shannon Patten Manager of Media and Community Relations.Also present were United Way board members Dave Pierce, Campbell Reynolds, Bob Vedder, Ira Paul and Kathy Castellano. Agencies attending were Jewish Family and Children's Service, Loveland Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Florida Center for Child and Family Development. Publix Asociates also attending the presentation were Jean Andreu, Amanda Bernel, Ruthane McDaniel and Stephanie Jansen. Publix Super Markets and Publix Charities are top supporter of the United Way of South Sarasota and their generosity is a major part of the United Way of South Sarasota County's ability to fund twenty-six agencies that provide forty local programs that touch, change and improve lives.