United Way Sets Ambitious Campaign Goal

UNITED WAY OF COLLIER COUNTY PRESIDENT AND CEO STEVE SANDERSON HONORED THIS YEAR’S CORPORATE PACESETTERS AND PARTNER AGENCY PACESETTERS AT THE ORGANIZATION’S CAMPAIGN KICKOFF BREAKFAST AT HILTON NAPLES ON SEPTEMBER 24.

United Way of Collier County’s Community Campaign is off to a strong start, with its Pacesetter Campaigns and early special events bringing in over 40 percent of its $2.75 million goal. Funds raised during the campaign help United Way support over 100,000 Collier County citizens in need every year.

The coming months of the campaign are crucial to its overall success. The United Way encourages everyone to get involved, either as part of an organization or individually.
Businesses can participate in many different ways: running an employee campaign, giving a corporate gift, matching employee gifts, donating a portion of proceeds from sales, allowing employees to participate in Days of Caring, or conducting special fundraising events.

Tom Donahue

Tom Donahue, United Way Campaign Chair and General Manager of Shula’s Steak House, encourages everyone to participate. He stresses that “Every contribution, no matter how large or small, helps us support the important, life changing work of our partner agencies. These contributions also help United Way fund its own programs for
those in need in our community. We look forward to a highly successful campaign!”

With a series of events in September, United Way has kicked off the campaign in style.

THE CAMPAIGN KICKOFF BREAKFAST AT HILTON NAPLES

At the Campaign Kickoff Breakfast and Pacesetter Recognition on September 24 at Hilton Naples, Donahue announced the $2.75 million campaign goal for 2014-15 and thanked this year’s seven Corporate Pacesetters and 16 United Way Partner Agency Pacesetters. Pacesetters complete their workplace campaigns early and lead the way for others to support the United Way’s efforts. Because of the work of these organizations, pledges and donations to this year’s campaign already totaled $1,201,293, or 43 percent of the goal, on the day of the announcement.

CHARLIE BABB AND LARRY BALL SIGNED AUTOGRAPHS FOR DOZENS OF FANS AT THE CELEBRITY BARTENDER EVENT AT HILTON NAPLES, TO BENEFIT UNITED WAY OF COLLIER COUNTY.

CELEBRITY BARTENDER EVENT AT HILTON NAPLES

Two days after the Campaign Kickoff Breakfast, Shula’s Steak House and Hilton Naples hosted the 4th Annual Celebrity Bartender Event to benefit United Way of Collier County. Retired Miami Dolphins Charlie Babb, Larry Ball, Mercury Morris, and Larry Little – all members of the widely-celebrated undefeated 1972 Super Bowl championship team – spent the evening socializing with enthusiastic fans, signing autographs, and posing for photos.

WALK FOR THE WAY, RUN FOR THE WAY 5K AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR

The 9th Annual Walk for the Way at North Collier Regional Park on September 27 exemplified what United Way represents: businesses, charities, and individuals working together for the common good.

MEMBERS OF THE COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT WALK FOR THE WAY TEAM ENJOYING A WONDERFUL MORNING AT NORTH COLLIER REGIONAL PARK. COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAD THE LARGEST TEAM AT THE EVENT, WITH A TOTAL OF
120 MEMBERS!

More than 2000 individuals participated in the Walk, many as members of the 49 registered teams. Steve Sanderson, President and CEO of United Way of Collier County, was thrilled with the results of both the Walk and the brand new event that preceded it, the Run for the Way 5K. More than 200 runners participated in the inaugural 5K. The Walk and the 5K combined brought in more than $20,000 for this year’s campaign.

Sanderson also noted that “The Community Resource Fair, which, after the Walk, showcases our Partner Agencies, was the best I’ve seen! The agency booths
included engaging and fun activities, and the attendees had a wonderful time.”

For information about how to give or how to get involved in the campaign as an individual or organization, visit www.uwcollier.org or call 239. 261.7112.