United Way Shows Appreciation to Leadership Donors

Sea lions, tiger sharks and polar bears – oh my!  More than 2,000 Heart of Florida United Way leadership givers were not in Kansas, they were at SeaWorld Orlando for a day of fun with their families. 

For the 10th year in a row, thanks to Sea World Orlando, United Way has been able to say “thank you” to generous donors who give $1,000 or more to United Way, with a special complimentary family day. The donors who participated in this year’s event were leadership givers in 2006.

Guests began the day at Ports of Call with breakfast, a special program, and the company of Sea World characters like Shamu and an African Eagle. They also heard from the United Way Leadership Giving Chair and Vice President of Private Wealth Management for Sun Trust Banks, Richard Watkins, and from Robert H. (Bob) Brown, president and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way. Other special guests in attendance included HFUW Board and Campaign Cabinet members, C.T. Hsu of C.T. Hsu & Associates, Lillian Garcia of Tupperware Brands Corporation, Maureen West of MWest & Associates and Howard Tipton of the Orange County Clerk of Courts.

Guests were also greeted and thanked by six young, special guests – all children from the Bithlow Boys and Girls Club.  Brown explained why the children from the were with them that morning.  Through the United Way Loaned Executive Program, the service director of the Bithlow Boy’s and Girl’s Club, Jennifer Schutz, worked for three months recently with the United Way campaign team.  On the days she wasn’t at United Way, she spoke with the children about her activities at United Way.  She told them how just 73 cents can feed a homeless person a meal, something she learned during her training.

Schutz didn’t realize the impact this had on the children until a few of the children handed her one dollar and said, “This is for that homeless person’s meal.”  They sacrificed their soda or snack money for the day so a homeless person could eat.

A few days later, their Torch Club – a leadership program for 11 to 13 year-olds, created “Project: Hunger.”  Their goal was to raise enough to fund 100 meals for homeless people through the United Way.  To date, they have enough to provide 200 meals and are still going strong.

The most touching part of the morning occurred when some of the Leadership donors handed dollar bills to the children to support their efforts.

A Heart of Florida Leadership Donor is anyone who gives $1000 up to $10,000 to the organization.  If an individual or family donates from $10,000 to more than $1 million, they are considered part of a special society – the Alexis de Tocqueville Society.

At Heart of Florida United Way, donations of all levels are seriously needed to keep up with the growing demands in our community.   Residents can participate in workplace giving campaigns, or donate directly to United Way.   For more information about HFUW or to learn about becoming a Leadership Giver, please contact Marta Vargas (407) 835-0900 ext. 285 or visit www.hfuw.org.