20th Annual Chef’s Gala: Our Biggest, Most Delicious Success Ever!

Celebrating two full decades of extraordinary food, fine wine and heartfelt generosity, more than 1,000 elegantly dressed guests attended the 20^th Annual Chef’s Gala, which raised a record-setting $219,175 to help people in need.   

Held Saturday, May 19 at Epcot® World Showplace, Chef’s Gala was hosted and sponsored by WALT DISNEY WORLD®, which has underwritten nearly the full cost of the event since it began in 1992.

Thanks to this commitment, as well as the generosity of our talented chefs, sponsors and others partners, a full 95% of dollars raised will go help fund more than 100 local health and human service programs.    

Also contributing to year’s enormous success were two dedicated event co-chairs, Shawn Bartelt, Vice President & General Manager of WFTV 9 & Central Florida’s TV 27; and Simon Hemus, President & COO of Tupperware Brands Corporation.    

After making a red-carpet entrance, guests enjoyed signature dishes from 24 of the region’s top chefs, as well as thoughtfully paired wines, desserts and specialty coffees. Other highlights included a sparkling wine and martini bar reception and a dazzling silent auction, co-chaired by Jane Bindas, Senior Director, Risk Management, Tupperware Brands Corporation; and Patty DeYoung, a community philanthropist.

“Over the past 20 years, Chef’s Gala has grown to become Central Florida’s premier food and wine pairing charitable event,” said United Way President and CEO Robert H. (Bob) Brown. “That 2012 was our biggest, most successful event ever is a true testament to the generosity of Disney, as well as so many other outstanding partners and individuals. We are deeply grateful for their trust, compassion and support.” 

Click here to view more photos.

Step Right Up! Volunteer Carnival Teaches Importance of Giving Back

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. This is the credo that Heart of Florida United Way lives by and this weekend’s Step Right Up! volunteer carnival was a perfect illustration of this belief.

Despite threatening weather, nearly 350 people came out with their family, friends and co-workers to help make a difference by participating in hands-on volunteer projects and learning about volunteer needs in the Central Florida community.

Each of event’s onsite volunteer projects supported United Way’s focus on Building Safe Communities through Education. They included assembling 150 “Hi-5” food packs for children served by Second Harvest Food Bank, 225 letter of encouragement written to students served by the Interfaith School Turnaround Project, creating 150 education kits for the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, packaging 198 hygiene kits for Clean the World, and sending 68 personal emails to local elected official, urging their support of education funding.  

Guests also had a chance to learn about ongoing volunteer opportunities by visiting 25 booths staffed by local nonprofit agencies. Other fun activities included a bounce house, dunk tank and interactive presentations by the Orlando Police Department’s K-9, mounted patrol, motorcycle and SWAT team units.  

While helping guests draft e-mails to support school funding, I was taken aback by the large number of volunteers wanting to participate. Many were teachers or parents who understood the value of education, including one mother who took time to read the e-mail to her six-year-old daughter. When the little girl asked why anyone would want to cut school funding, the mother replied, “Because people like you and I are not asking them not to.”

For me, this moment really exemplified the importance of being engaged in the community, advocating for what you believe in and showing that making a difference can start at any age.

All in all, Step Right Up! turned out to be a great success, full of food, prizes, volunteerism and advocacy that showed Central Floridians how easy and fun it is to be engaged in the community. 

To view more photos from Step Right Up!, visit United Way’s Facebook page. To learn more about volunteering through Heart of Florida United Way, click here.

Katrina Ganzler
United Way 2-1-1, Marion County Liaison
Heart of Florida United Way

 

Save the Date for the 20th Annual Chef’s Gala Coming Up on May 19, 2012!

Make plans now to attend the 20th Annual Chef’s Gala, featuring mouth-watering cuisine created by more than 20 of Central Florida’s top chefs.

Widely recognized as the region’s premier food and wine pairing charity event, Chef’s Gala also includes a champagne and martini bar reception, thoughtfully paired wines, fabulous desserts, live music and an elegant silent auction.

Held at Epcot® World Showplace, the event is hosted and sponsored by WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort.

Thanks to the generosity of Disney and other sponsors, last year’s event raised more than $185,000 for local residents in need, making Chef’s Gala truly a Tasteful Way to Make a Difference!

Additional details about ticket sales and particpating restaurants will be provided soon.

If your company or organization would like to reach a sophisticated, affluent audience, sponsorship opportunities now are available. For information, please call (407) 429-2129 or e-mail chefsgala@hfuw.org.

Click here for details and photos of last year’s event.

United Way’s Community Baby Shower Benefits Nearly 400 At-Risk Infants

 

Heart of Florida United Way wishes to thank the many volunteers and corporate partners who made our first-ever Community Baby Shower a resounding success.

Thanks to terrific support from Target, SunTrust Bank, RBC Bank, Early Learning Coalition, Orange County Public Schools and others, nearly 2,800 infant care items valued at more than $15,000 were donated and distributed to local mothers and infants and need.

Special thanks goes to Target, which generously donated $775 in gift cards that were used to purchase diapers, infant formula, baby apparel and other items. We’re also deeply grateful to SunTrust Bank and SeaWorld Orlando for going the extra mile.

Key to the event’s success were scores of corporate and community volunteers who hosted workplace supply drives. Many also gathered at United Way headquarters on Friday, Dec. 9 when Shamu and Dolly from SeaWorld Orlando were on hand to help sort, assemble and deliver the donations.

In all, enough supplies were collected to fill 388 gift bags, which were distributed to BETA Center; Harbor House of Central Florida; Orange County Healthy Start Coalition; Children’s Home Society of Central Florida; The Howard Philips Center for Children and Families; and Community Health Centers.

Strong Support from Community
“The community support we received was amazing,” said Lorri Highet, Director of the United Way Volunteer Resource Center. “Thanks to the generosity of many outstanding people and organizations, hundreds of Central Florida newborns will have a much a happier, healthier holiday season.”

For additional photos, click here. To tag photos on United Way’s Facebook page, click here.

* The Community Baby Shower supports United Way’s strategic focus on Developing Healthy Children and Families.

Stand Up Against Bullying: Three Events This Week Can Help Make a Difference

Ryan Halligan, 13, committed suicide following repeated bullying by his classmates. His father, John Halligan, is in Orlando this week to help parents, teachers and students prevent this from happening to other children.

Each year, approximately 2.7 million students are bullied by 2.1 million students who verbally, physically or emotionally abuse their classmates. In addition, nearly 15% of students who skip school do so because of a fear of being bullied. Even more alarming, a study by the Yale University School of Medicine found a distinct link between bullying and childhood suicide.

To help turn the tide on this serious problem, John Halligan, a Vermont father whose 13-year-old son, Ryan, took his life due to repeated bullying, is in Orlando this week to speak to parents, teachers, students and others.

Three free sessions, which will discuss the signs of bullying, cyber bullying, prevention and teen depression, will be held:

• Weds. Dec. 14, 7 p.m., Lyman High School, 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood, FL  32750
• Thurs., Dec. 15, 7 p.m., Horizon Middle School, 2020 Ham Brown Rd., Kissimmee, FL  34746
• Thurs., Dec. 15, 7 p.m., Edgewater High School, 3100 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL  32804

The events are sponsored by the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida and are funded in part by the Community Investment Funds of the Community Foundation of Central Florida and Dr. Phillips Charities.

For more information, please call the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida at 407-628-0555.

National Philanthropy Day: An Opportunity to Commit to Compassion Year-Round

In a career that spans more than 40 years working with nonprofit agencies, it’s rare that I’m stunned by the circumstances I’ve seen in various communities around our country.  But some recent government reports have given me cause for even greater concern.

In September, government studies indicated that 46.6 million Americans were now living in poverty.  Just last week, the United States Census Bureau revised those numbers upward to 49.1 million, or 16 percent of all Americans are now considered poor. Regardless of which number is most accurate, it’s a frightening reality to know that poverty is so extensive in the United States of America, the most prosperous nation in the world.

Changing Definition of Poverty
The definition of poverty as well as the portrait of the poor has changed drastically in recent years.  More and more of those struggling to survive are elderly, Latino and working-class people. Economic data establishes the “poverty line” at approximately $22,000 a year for a family of four.  The Washington Post recently reported that half of all U.S. workers earned less than $26,364 in 2010, which accounts for the lowest median wage since 1999.  Other research says almost half of those living actually below the poverty line – approximately 20.5 million Americans – are considered the poorest of the poor, with incomes of $5,500 or less.

Among the hardest-hit areas of our county is Florida due to high unemployment and the collapse of the housing market.  What this means for organizations like Heart of Florida United Way and our partner agencies is that our work is more important than ever.  As someone who remains optimistic about our state and country’s ability to recover, nothing would derail economic growth faster than basic human needs like food, shelter, clothing and utilities still going unmet for thousands of our friends, family members and neighbors.

National Philanthropy Day
November 15^th is widely recognized as National Philanthropy Day.  It’s an opportunity to shine a positive light on the spirit of compassion and charity that exists among individuals, companies and charitable foundations around the country.  Today, the Central Florida Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals held its 26^th celebration of philanthropy, honoring those locally whose financial contributions and volunteerism deliver much-needed support to a multitude of charities and worthwhile causes.

As we pause in sincere gratitude to those honorees, we do so as a rekindling of the commitment needed from all of us to help those most in need. While the approaching Holiday Season is often a period of giving, I urge all of us to make compassion for our fellow Central Floridians a year-round commitment.

Robert H. (Bob) Brown is President/CEO of Heart of Florida United Way.

Thanks to Disney, The Benefit Sale Was Another Great Success!

The weather was brisk, the hour early and the sky was dark, yet thousands of Central Floridians turned out before dawn on Saturday, Nov. 5 to support The Benefit Sale (TBS), which was a great opportunity to shop early, save big and give back.

Even before the stores opened at 5:30 a.m., hundreds of people were queued up in front of the World of Disney, Once Upon A Toy, Disney Days of Christmas,  and other Downtown Disney locations. Once shopping began, people dashed from store to store snapping up significant discounts on Disney apparel, toys, collectibles and other exclusive items.

Thanks to the generosity of Walt Disney World, which hosted the event for the second year in a row, The Benefit Sale was much more than a chance to shop. It was also a terrific opportunity for friends, families and others to join together and do something good to help others.

In all, the sale of admission vouchers raised thousands of dollars for Heart of Florida United Way’s efforts to serve nearly one-in-six Central Floridians in need. With so many local families still struggling to afford housing, utilities and other basic needs, every donated will dollar make a tremendous difference right here, right now in our local community.

We’d like to again express our sincere thanks to Walt Disney World, which does so much to support United Way and our entire community. We’re also deeply grateful to the many United Way volunteers who got up so early to help make this event possible.

United Way Kicks Off the 2011-12 Campaign with Strong Support from Community

2011-12 Campaign Chair David Fuller, President & CEO of SunTrust, Central Florida Division, dons the chair’s traditional red jacket during United Way’s Campaign Kick Off. From left are former chairs Des Cummings Jr., Florida Hospital; Richard T. Crotty, former Orange County mayor; Gerald Hilbrich; and Ed Timberlake, Seaside National Bank & Trust.

Speaking at United Way’s 2011-12  Campaign Kick Off, Campaign Chair David Fuller told a group of more than 300 local business and civic leaders that they have a unique opportunity to come together and make a difference this year.

“As a community, I know we have the resources to ensure that neighbors who need help will know that they are not alone,” said Fuller, who is President/CEO of SunTrust, Central Florida Division. “That’s because we are here – through United Way ‒ to offer assistance and hope.”

Fuller also spoke about visiting Edgewood Children’s Ranch, The Salvation Army, the Boys & Girls Club and the Howard Phillips Center for Women & Children, where he met people helped through United Way funded programs. “Their stories are heart-warming and heart-wrenching,” he said. “And their courage reinforces how important it is for our campaign to succeed.”

Perfect Storm: Growing Need & Funding Cuts
“Growing need, coupled with drastic cuts to state and federal funding, have created a perfect storm that will make it even more difficult for people to find critical help in the year ahead,” said United Way President/CEO Robert H. (Bob) Brown.

Citing record-breaking call volume at 2-1-1, United Way’s 24-hour information, referral and crisis helpline, Brown said more than 171,400 people sought assistance last year. Seventy-five percent were first-time callers who never needed help before, and utilities and housing ‒ basic human needs ‒ accounted for more than half of all calls.  “Our campaign effort this year has never been more important and we have the statistics to prove it,” he said.

Keynote speaker Lars Houmann, President & CEO of Florida Hospital and the Florida Division of AHS, said the true challenge facing the community is how it will respond to the crisis. “No great society ever existed for more than a brief time if it did not serve the needs of others. Central Florida cannot and will not suffer from this fate ‒ we are a generous community and you are the core of it,” he told the group.

“The work of our Heart of Florida United Way to support and stabilize the social service sector of our community, which provides essential services, is key to our quality of life and the economic recovery of Orlando and Central Florida,” Dyer said. “The importance of United Way in our community cannot be understated.”

Another highlight of the event was a video featuring moving stories shared by local residents who were on the brink of losing everything, but were helped through United Way and its partner agencies. The event also featured a children’s book drive, which will benefit schools United Way is partnering with to improve educational achievement.

$17,750,000 Goal
The goal for this year’s campaign is $17,750,000. Dollars raised through the 2010-11 campaign provided funding for 108 local programs, which served more than 345,800 tri-county residents in need.

To support the campaign, click here. If your company would like to schedule a workplace campaign, please contact Robert Haight, United Way Senior Vice President of Resource Development, at (407) 835-0918, or e-mail Robert.Haight@hfuw.org.

Dozens of Great Volunteer Projects Now Available for United Way Days of Caring, Sept. 23

Want to make a difference? Interested in a meaningful volunteer opportunity for your office or organization?

Then mark your calendar for Friday, September 23! That’s the date for United Way Days of Caring, Central Florida’s largest community-wide volunteer event.

Last year, nearly 1,800 volunteers from Lockheed Martin, Publix, Ernst & Young, UPS, AT&T and 50 other leading companies took part. In all, nearly 30 projects were completed, providing much-needed assistance to nonprofits serving people in need throughout Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

Days of Caring is the perfect opportunity to get engaged in our community. From reading to children and playing ball with teens to planting gardens and sprucing up residential facilities, dozens of great projects are now available.

Click here to view and select your project today!

In addition to making a huge impact in our community, Days of Caring offers a wealth of benefits to those who participate. Pre-planned projects provide fun team-building experiences, as well as meaningful opportunities to touch lives, learn more about community needs and witness the importance of volunteerism.

All projects support United Way’s efforts to improve lives and community conditions by focusing on these priority areas:

Building Safe Communities Through Education
Improving Financial Stability
Developing Healthy Children and Families
Alleviating Hunger and Homelessness

For more information about Days of Caring, please contact Shari Orr, United Way Manager of Community Participation, at (407) 429-2176 or shari.orr@hfuw.org.

Dana Taylor of MIX 105.1 LIVES UNITED to Help Kids Succeed in School

Dana Taylor from MIX 105.1 reading to children

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a United Way Day of Action event at the Boys and Girls Club branch in Sanford, where we met up with Dana Taylor, co-host of  MIX 105.1’s popular morning show.

Dana first met with a group of 12-to 18-year-olds who were full of questions about how she began her career and became a successful radio personality.

A true pro, Dana encouraged the kids to read more, find out what it is they love to do, and then the set educational goals to achieve their dreams.   

In keeping with the event’s focus on improving children’s reading skills, she also spent time reading her favorite children’s book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, to a group of six- to nine-year-olds.

Day of Action, which takes place on June 21, is supported by United Ways across the country. This year’s event marked the start of a three-year goal to recruit one million volunteers to readers, tutors and mentors to help kids across America succeed in school and beyond.

To meet Heart of Florida United Way’s goal of recruiting 3,000 local volunteers, we need you to LIVE UNITED and join us in becoming part of the solution. Click here to take the pledge and learn how you can make a difference in our community.

Oscar Lindquist
Full Sail Volunteer
Heart of Florida United Way