CAMPAIGN NEWS

News and Events

Events around the corner. Please Save the date.

Crow's Nest Dine Out Day will be on August 18th. 10% of the days proceeds will go towards our 2010/2011 campaign. 

Our Campaign Kick-Off will be at the Plantation Golf and Country Club on September 16th at Noon - 1:00 pm. For reservations call 484-4811.

Our annual Golf Tournament will be held at Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club on October 16th. For information and reservations call 484-4811.

On December 8th Buffalo Wild Wings in North Port will hold a Dine Out Day.

We will be holding two Walk-A-Thons next year one in Venice on March 12th 2011 and again in North Port on May 21st 2011. To volunteer, participate or to become a sponsor please give us a call.

Bogey's Dine Out Day

Many thanks to Bogey's for holding a Dine Out Day. 10% of the days proceeds went to our annual campaign that will fund agency programs. For all of those who participated in good food, good company and good ambiance in support of our United Way, thanks we appreciate your support.

Publix Charities Presents a Record Gift Amount

Publix Charities will be presenting their corporate contribution check to the United Way of South Sarasota on Monday April 19th at Noon at the Publix store located on the corner of Jacaranda Blvd and Tamiami Trail. The amount is an all time high of $161,000. Publix Associates as well as United Way agencies and United Way volunteers will attend the presentation. 

We have moved our Location and now are enjoying our new office space at 157 Havana Road, Venice, FL 34292. We can be reached by phone at 941-484-4811. Due to the generosity of the Loveland Center Board of directors we have substantially reduced our operating expenses

Walk-A-Thon Draws record numbers.

Despite a cold and gloomy day February 27th proved to be a banner day for the number of walkers participating in the Fourth Annual United Way of South Sarasota community walk. Well over 500 walkers braved the rain and with their sponsors raised $24,000. Many thanks to all of the volunteers who made this possible. First place for the most amount of money raised was Village On The Isles. The team Spirit award went to Venice High School Softball team. 

2009/2010 Campaign Kickoff Lunch.

Over 260 guests attended the United Way of South Sarasota County Kickoff Lunch on September 17th at the Plantation Golf & Country Club. Melinda Mudge Board President officiated the program and opened the lunch by sharing that the economy will not be a factor this year as we will do everything we can to maximise and achieve our goal of $750,000. Guest Speaker Sherri Reynolds Supervisor of Health/Prevention Services for the School Board of Sarasota County shared with the group how the School Board campaign achieves first place in the public sector giving. Her theme - make it fun and let the United Way message be delivered. Terry Ball, District Manager for Publix Super Markets then spoke regarding why Publix Associates are the number one giver in the private sector. Both speakers inspired the audience with their personal reasons for supporting our United Way. Brent Pinkerton was recognised as Volunteer of the year. Brent has chaired the Annual Golf Tournament for sixteen years, has been a Board Member, Allocations Chair as well as being very involved in many community agencies. A standing ovation was well deserved. 

Changing of the Guard.

On July 31st Campbell Reynolds will conclude his term as Board President. Many thanks and our appreciation goes to Campbell for his hard work and direction over this past year. Although short of our hoped for goal every avenue of revenue was explored and the groundwork has been set for our 2009-2010 campaign. Welcome to Melinda Mudge our incoming Board president who will take over from Campbell on August 1st 2009.  

2009-2010 Campaign Ready to Kick-Off
Thursday September the 17th, 2009 at Noon the United Way of South Sarasota will hold their kick-off lunch at the Plantation Golf and Country Club located on Rockley Blvd. For reservations please call 408-0595 or e-mail steve@uwssc.com  

2008-2009 Campaign Concludes.
Although not a banner year for the United Way of South Sarasota and bearing in mind the economic issues effecting our community, the Board of Directors are pleased to announce that we came within $40,000 of our goal. Allocations for our Agency programs have been completed and forty programs have been funded within thirty local agencies. August 1st 2009 is the start date that our new 2009-2010 campaign begins and everyone is optimistic for a good positive campaign year. Many thanks to all of you who have supported our mission in the past and helped us ensure that our community is stronger and that help is available for those who have struggled through difficult times. Your ongoing support will be very much appreciated. 

Food is Love in Englewood held their first annual United Way of South Sarasota County dine out event on Arpil 16th 2009. Board members served and bussed tables from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm and donated all their tips along with 10% of the sales proceeds going towards the 2008-2009 annual campaign. Many thanks to Rana, Tod and team for opening up their restaurant and for their generosity. The event raised $500. Many thanks also go to our waiters - Kathy Castellano, Mindy Tew, Terri Britton, Ira Paul, Dave Pierce, Danette Bartolotta, Wendy Namack and Melinda Mudge for delivering such fine professional service.

March 7, 2009 - Bay Indies announced mission accomplished by reaching their 2009 residential campaign goal of $20,000. Jerry Dubois, Bay Indies United Way Campaign Chair, was delighted at the outcome. In a tough economy the residents of Bay Indies knew that the community needs have escalated and they have acknowledged this through their generosity in giving. Bay Indies residents run the only residential campaign in South Sarasota County and are commended for their support of their local community. Hundreds of volunteers ranging from the Bay Indies United Way Board of Directors to the  Zone Leaders and Block Captains give their time to achieve such an outstanding result. Hats off to you Bay Indies and thanks for a great campaign.  

February 28, 2009 - Saturday morning United Way of South Sarasota held their third annual Walk-A-Thon. Under blue skies and an ideal temperature 46 teams comprising of 500 walkers registered and walked for their agency, club or cause. Over $20,000 was raised in support of local community programs. Thanks go to the many sponsors of the event. Florida Power & Light, Florida Shores Bank, Kevin Cox, CFP, Managed Capital, LLC, Namack Portfolio Investment Professionals, Raymond James & Associates, Signiture Sotheby's International Realty, Gulf Breeze Silkscreen & Emboidery, HarborChase of Venice, Herald Tribune Media Group, Kinetico Quality Water Systems, Publix Supermarkets, SunCoast Engraving, Rumors Balloons & Flowers and the Wan-Na-Be's. Over fifty volunteers made sure the event was well organized and many thanks to all for their dedication. Our MC for the event Kathy Lehner did an outstanding job in the opening ceremonies and when the walkers returned music, hot dogs, juice and fruit was the order of the day. First place with the most money raised of over $5,500 was Village On The Isles in support of Beacon House. First place for most walkers was Publix Supermarkets, second place for most walkers was Venice Area Sailing Squadron and the team spirit award went to Literacy Volunteers of South Sarasota.   

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.