Since 1924, United Way of West Florida has fought for the health, education, and financial stability of every citizen in our community. We do this by working collaboratively with hundreds of companies, thousands of community members, local government, and local non-profit agencies. We believe working together is the best way to improve lives and build a stronger community. As we embark on this benchmark year, we invite you to be a part of our 100th-anniversary celebration!
Join us for our Signature Event for the 100th Year: Glitz & Gallop Gala!
Purchase your tickets at uwwf.org/galatickets!
More events and information will be added throughout the year as we celebrate 100 years!
Events
All year round:![]()
Join United Way of West Florida for their 100th Anniversary celebration all year by participating in 100 Acts of Kindness.
Use #100Ways and #UWWFL100th and @UWWFL to share your Acts of Kindness on socials!
The UWWF team would love to see the amazing things you do!
We are excited to attend Florida Blue's Ready, Set, Bloom! event on Saturday, April 13th from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. as we bloom into wellness. Experience an exciting day featuring interactive activities, healthy refreshments, and so much more! Welcome the Spring season and gain valuable insights from our local partners. Everyone is welcome and you won't want to miss this!
Florida Blue Pensacola
We are excited to attend this year's Fred Levin Way Fest on April 14 from 11 am to 3:00 pm
The Fred Levin Way Fest is a free event for the community that occurs once each year in downtown Pensacola and is designed to help families and individuals in need.
Food, Games, Music, Art, Prizes, and, most importantly, 60+ nonprofit organizations distributing information on the services they offer along with gifting essential items, such as backpacks, blankets, books, diapers, first aid kits, hygiene kits, pet food, school supplies, soap, socks, thermometers, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, and underwear.
Learn more at fredlevinfest.com.
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Since 1924, United Way of West Florida has fought for the health, education, and financial stability of every citizen in our community. We do this by working collaboratively with hundreds of companies, thousands of community members, local governments, and local nonprofit agencies. Working together is the best way to improve lives and build a stronger community and we hope to do that on May 4th, 2024 at the Glitz & Gallop Gala, our 100th Celebration.
Join us and help celebrate our 100 years in the making as we watch the 150th Kentucky Derby. This event is a fundraiser for United Way of West Florida. Funds raised at this event will help go back to our community through our Community Investment process. To learn more, please visit our website at uwwf.org.
Gala tickets are $100 per person, which includes 2 drink tickets and 10 betting tickets to be used at our Parade of Prizes table and to bet on horse races. The Gala features heavy hors d'oeuvres and live music from the String Farm Band.
Prizes will be awarded for the Best-In-Show fashion show contest and the Winner's Circle racehorse winners. Horses can be purchased for $50, and additional betting tickets are available at $1 per ticket. Bourbon Pull station tickets are available for $25 and are limited to the number of bottles donated. 50/50 tickets are available at the event for $1.
The event will be held at the new venue on Pensacola State College - bldg. 27. We will send out an email closer to the event date about parking information.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please reach out to stephen.prestesater@uwwf.org for questions.
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The National Association of Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger food drive is back in 2024! Participating is easy!
Look for the bag in your mailbox in the weeks before the event. Fill it with nonperishable food items, and leave it beside your mailbox on Saturday, May 11. Your Letter Carrier will pick up your donations and deliver them to a local food pantry!
Every donation helps feed our neighbors in need!
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Join us for the Battle of the Barristers on May 22. 2024!
Our quiz master will test your knowledge and know-how with fun and unique trivia questions during this fundraiser for United Way of West Florida. Team up with your coworkers to take on your fellow legal eagles and take home the trophy!
Teams
Get the best minds together from your law firm to create a team of 4 people. (Smaller firms can team up together to get 4 players)
Entry Fee
The entry fee is $600 per team. Payment must be received before the event date to participate. Team entry includes food.
Register at uwwf.org/bob2024, if you need to make a payment through check or cash, please get in touch with our Individual Donor Manager, Nikki Fisher at nikki.fisher@uwwf.org.
The deadline to register is May 13, 2024.
Help students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties receive the tools they need to succeed in the coming school year and Stuff the Bus. Learn more at uwwf.org/stb.
We are currently looking for sponsors for Stuff the Bus. If you would like to be a sponsor, check out here.
For more information, please email our Marketing Department at marketing@uwwf.org.
If you want to see all sponsorship opportunities please visit uwwf.org/sponsor2024.
Join us for as we Take the Reins at our Annual Meeting and kickstart our 2025 campaign season. This event will recap the success stories of our 2023-2024 year, and recognize key community members, board members, staff members, and organizations that have gone above and beyond. We will also have a sneak preview of what's coming up for our 2025 season. Be a part of something big, Take the Reins and join us for 2025!
Event details to come.
If you are interested in sponsoring our Annual Meeting, check out our full sponsorship package for sponsor opportunities or reach out to stephen.prestesater@uwwf.org for questions.
Through the support of Subaru of America, Inc., United Way of West Florida, and Anderson Subaru have partnered to provide coats to youth in Century. The gift of a brand-new jacket will provide warmth, and build confidence and hope to the youth of Century.
Read more about it in this WEARTV article:
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1924 The Beginning:
The ‘Community Chest’ concept is introduced to Pensacola as a way to consolidate charitable requests made by local companies and businesses.
1941 Goal Surpassed:
Headlines read, “CHEST DRIVE GOES OVER TOP IN FUND TOTAL,” however in 1925, the campaign goal had actually been surpassed for the first time, by a total of $27.60. That goal was $34,950.
1943 National War Fund:
Many Community Chests outside of Pensacola were merging into the National War Fund. Pensacola was the last Community Chest in Florida to combine with the National War Fund, but first to reach its goal. The goal of $110,000 was exceeded by $5,244.
1944 Agency Tours:
Agency “Come and See Tours” were incorporated for industrial employees. Today, Agency Tours are a significant component of the Community Investment process, allowing Panelists the opportunity to see firsthand the impact that programs and services administered by nonprofit agencies have on the community.
1948 The Community Chest:
The Community Chest becomes the “Greater Pensacola Community Chest,” and kicks off with the campaign slogan, “Give! Give Enough! Support your Community Chest!” featured beside a giant Chest thermometer measuring progress at the corner of Garden and Palafox Streets in downtown Pensacola.
1957 Greater Pensacola United Fund:
Headlines read, “A Greater Pensacola United Fund was born Thursday morning,” as the organization continues to evolve. Shortly thereafter, in 1960, the Fund began serving 19 agencies.
1957 Pacesetters
The term “Pacesetters” was adopted to give credit to the firms and companies supporting the fundraising drive and setting pace for the others. In 1951, the inaugural Pacesetters class included Lewis Bear Company, Muldon Motor Company, Sherrill Oil Company, and Hygeia Coca-Cola Bottling Company. This past year, 14 companies, organizations, and institutions qualified as Pacesetters and raised a combined $519,682 to kick off the campaign season.
1968 Loaned Executives:
Loaned Executives, known today as Ambassadors, were first introduced in 1968. These volunteers play a vital role in the implementation and execution of workplace campaigns. In 2018-19, 15 individuals from 12 organizations were part of the graduating Ambassador class.
1972 A New Beginning:
By vote of membership, United Fund changes its name and becomes United Way of Escambia County. New bylaws were adopted and service grew to be county-wide.
1989 The Red Feather Fellowship:
The Red Feather Fellowship was introduced to recognize individuals and families giving over $1,000 annually. The symbolism of the Red Feather as a badge of honor dates back to the Community Chest days. There were 85 inaugural Red Feathers, giving a combined $115,000. Today the Fellowship consists of four giving levels ($1,000 - $9,999), and includes more than 350 of our community’s most generous individuals, collectively giving over $500,000.
1993 Day of Caring:
United Way of Escambia County organizes the First Annual Day of Caring, the event has since grown to be the largest organized day of volunteerism in Northwest Florida.
1999 School Supply Drive:
Cram the Van was created, in partnership with WEAR TV3, and Sandy Sansing Chevrolet. In 2019, the School-District approved supply drive was rebranded as “Stuff the Bus.”
2004 First Call For Help:
UWEC assumed responsibility for First Call for Help and assisted with Hurricane Ivan relief efforts. This program was rebranded to 211 Northwest Florida in 2010.
2019 Looking Ahead:
United Way of Escambia County incorporates Santa Rosa County into its service area and rebrands as United Way of West Florida.
Click HERE to view the Sponsorship Opportunities Guide
United Way of West Florida is excited to be celebrating its 100th Anniversary and with it, focusing on changes that will move the organization forward for the next 100 years. This sponsorship guide will cover in detail our corporate sponsorship levels, our Centennial Celebration, the Glitz & Gallop 100th Anniversary Gala, our annual programs, and so much more. Be a part of our history and support your local United Way today!
For more information, please email our Marketing Department at marketing@uwwf.org.
100th Anniversary Sponsor
