With well-known superhero characters represented on guests’ T-shirts ranging from Captain America to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, guests at the United Way of Suwannee Valley annual community fundraising campaign kick-off event celebrated Suwannee Valley “hometown heroes” who contribute to the community’s well being through their donation of volunteer time and financial resources for United Way and the affiliated human service agencies.

Dr. Lawrence Barrett, who began his tenure as the president of Florida Gateway College in July, provided his first welcome to a United Way event audience. He acknowledged his prior relationship with the local United Way serving the area where he fulfilled the position as president of Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor and the strong relationship between Florida Gateway College and United Way of Suwannee Valley.

United Way Communications Committee Chair Karl Burkhardt, dressed as his superhero, Indiana Jones, added his welcome and noted not only the importance of the campaign but of the community spirit generated by it.  He admonished attendees to “have a great time doing it” and reminded them, “Regardless of your attire, you are all superheroes.” 

Emcee Mike McKee called on Celestine Levy to provide the invocation.  In doing so, he recognized her for her hometown hero efforts while she received a red cape. In addition to Levy’s support of United Way and her church activities, she has volunteered at least 24 years at Columbia County Senior Services.

McKee noted the national United Way theme remains Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.  The local United Way embraces this theme, but enjoys adopting a fun annual campaign theme.  United Way Board President Stephanie McClendon tied the local theme to the national theme.  She reminded guests how they could Give. Advocate. Volunteer. And be “hometown heroes.” 

 “Give of your resources through the United Way campaign,” McClendon admonished, citing examples of agency needs for donated items. “Suwannee Pal always accepts used sports equipment. Ask Beverly Standridge executive director of The Arc North Florida, how quickly household items in the group home need to be replaced.”

 “Advocate. This is one of my personal favorites,” McClendon stated. “Tell others how valuable United Way is to our community.”

 “Volunteer. Be a ‘hometown hero’ to a child by serving as a Guardian ad Litem, a Scout leader or a (United Way) ReadingPal. This is a huge help to agencies like Columbia County Senior Services, where Mrs. Levy volunteers; to Children’s Home Society, which could serve more clients with the support of volunteer staffing; and Guardian ad Litem, which currently has an urgent need for volunteers to represent children involved in the court system. Most all of our agencies – and the United Way office – also appreciate office volunteers.” 

Encouraging guests to become part of the United Way effort in support of the community, McClendon said, “Being a hometown hero is great; however, working together with a whole team of heroes is awesome!”

The annual campaign video sponsored by TD Bank and produced by Florida Gateway College was debuted. The video featured “hometown heroes” Dr. Tracy Hickman, United Way Board treasurer, who lends much more than financial oversight to the management expertise of the agency; John Burns, who served as president and now oversees the interior preparations of the newly-purchased United Way office building; Wendy Crews, a Guardian ad Litem/Voices for Children advocate; Daniel Crapps, a member of the United Way Building Committee, who recognized the efforts of First Federal volunteers and favorable loan arrangements offered to United Way; and Keith Liebfried, who reinforced the bank’s commitment to community service.

Speakers from local businesses with “superhero” United Way efforts shared their results.

Billy Campbell, human resources officer at the Target Distribution Center, discussed how his workplace engages its employees in the community and brings awareness of how much just $1 a week provides in essential services such as food for families struggling to make ends meet. With this approach Target Distribution Center achieved 100 percent participation.  Campbell and a member of the company campaign team were awarded red capes for their superhero results. 

McKee introduced the guest speaker for the evening, Mike Williams, who is no stranger to United Way.  Williams is the immediate board past president.  Probably less known by our community for his years of service to our country in the armed services, Williams enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1973 following graduation from Hamilton County High School.  He served in the Army for 24 years and fulfilled a tour of duty in Yemen and two combat tours in Iraq. He was employed by the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners from 1998 to 2005 as county manager.  He has been employed by PotashCorp-White Springs as manager, public affairs, since 2006.  Already a hero by virtue of his military service, Williams is also a hometown hero due to his active community investment. He is on the board at the Foundation for Florida Gateway College, the Hamilton County Education Foundation, and the United Way Board of Directors, Challengers’ Committee and Building Committee. 

Williams noted numerous people in the audience and the contributions they have made as “hometown heroes” affecting others while strengthening our community.  His message pointed out the many opportunities residents have to be of service to their community and the many who avail themselves of this opportunity to be among those who make a difference through the lives they touch.

Williams continued by inviting PotashCorp-White Springs superheroes to join him at the podium to present the results of the facility’s United Way campaign. With employee pledges and company matching funds, the company’s amount raised to date totals $118,758. 

President McClendon announced this year’s campaign goal of $510,000 and reminded guests funds raised in our community through the United Way campaign stay in our community, assisting neighbors in need in all of our counties with one percent paid in dues to the national organization, which provides a great investment for the coordination of national company efforts.   Recognizing there is much work to do to achieve the much-needed funds to achieve the goal, McClendon announced the members of the Campaign Cabinet leading the effort: Gary Godwin, General Campaign Chair; Chris Dampier, Columbia County Campaign Chair; Pam Cochran, Suwannee County Campaign Chair; Tom Moffses, Hamilton County Campaign Chair; Michele Cuadras, Loaned Executives Chair; Vern Lloyd, Resource Development Chair; and Don Fenneman, Challengers’ Club Chair.

Fenneman noted all contributions are important, regardless of size, and emphasized the amount of a leadership-level contribution of $500 or more could be readily spent on minor daily purchases, such as a cup of coffee.  He invited membership in the local United Way leadership giving group and announced to date leadership pledges received total 23 donors contributing $14,934 toward the Challengers’ Club goal of $160,048, with the $48 representing the local United Way’s 48^th campaign.

With the announcement of the contribution from PotashCorp-White Springs, the amount adds to the results submitted by other companies completing their campaigns prior to the kick off as Pacesetter companies. The campaign season kicked off with $196,095, 38 percent of the goal, raised for a strong start to an ambitious effort.

Throughout the campaign season monthly report luncheons are rotated through Suwannee, Hamilton and Columbia counties to stimulate community awareness of agency services and promote campaign success. Luncheons will continue to highlight hometown heroes making a difference in the quality of life in the United Way of Suwannee Valley service area. The first luncheon will be conducted at RiverOak Technical College, formerly Suwannee-Hamilton Technical Center, at noon on Friday, Oct. 9. Members of the community are invited to attend all United Way functions by contacting the office at 386-752-5604 to RSVP.