Annual Community Luncheon Seeks Support

In South Sarasota County, our own United Way is servicing our community right here in and around Venice, Fla. But besides a well-recognized name, do you really know what our United Way does for our area? One upcoming luncheon aims to map that out in detail, all while also providing an opportunity for local businesses to be recognized for their contributions.

“We provide programs in the areas of health, education, and financial stability, to low income families and fragile seniors,” explains Barbara Cruz, president and CEO of the United Way of South Sarasota County. She is, however, a bit modest.

This year’s United Way of South Sarasota County’s annual community luncheon will be themed “Embracing Today, Empowering Tomorrow.” Sponsorship opportunities are currently open for purchase.

The United Way locally maintains a number of programs to serve our communities directly. For example, a Community Fund is maintained by Cruz and the United Way SSC team, to support neighborhoods including Osprey, Laurel, Nokomis, Venice, Englewood, and North Port. A wide variety of direct service programs include assistance in everything from SHIELD, an eviction protection program, to free tax preparation services (VITA), to the Sarasota County Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG), which aims to assist those still being impacted by Hurricane Ian and its devastating effects. They are just some of the direct-service programs that help solve issues in our communities.

In total, there are 27 funded South Sarasota County agencies and 36 human service programs supported by the United Way, all aimed to prevent children, families, and seniors from being left homeless, isolated, and/or abused. The United Way aims to partner with small, local nonprofits also to build up their programs, helping them to make a larger impact. They are not only helping with financial support, but also mentoring those involved with small nonprofits to help them to grow, find their footing, and make lasting impressions on the local community. The United Way is fueled by donations and volunteers alike. Its programs are not just fundraisers, either. The organization creates practical and functioning safety nets that truly help area residents directly.

“United Way’s goal is to help create long-lasting changes and partnerships, by addressing the underlying causes of problems that affect families, children, seniors, and individuals from reaching their full potential,” explains Cruz. “United Way believes that everyone deserves the same opportunities to succeed in life.”

If you are looking for a great way to get your business’ name out there, not to mention support your local community, a sponsorship of the annual community engagement luncheon with the United Way of South Sarasota County is a wonderful opportunity.

To further explain its goals for the year, and educate the community on its needs, goals, and current programs, the United Way will be hosting its annual Community Engagement Luncheon on Oct. 9, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“This luncheon is to update the community about our initiatives,” says Cruz. In addition to providing what Cruz calls the present “state of the agency” address, the United Way will also recognize a Volunteer of the Year and a Breakthrough Partner of the Year.

Open to the public, this year’s luncheon will be themed “Embracing Today, Empowering Tomorrow.” The United Way’s Board of Directors and staff will explain the current struggles of the area’s population, from homelessness to tax preparation assistance, and what the United Way is doing to help. The theme will also provide a chance for the organization’s leadership to outline the community’s needs of the future.

October may sound far away, but the United Way of South Sarasota County is currently seeking local businesses and organizations to support the major event. The luncheon is a great way not only to get your name out to countless volunteers and supporters, but it also shows our local community just how much you care.

A variety of packages offer a wide net of opportunities for any size business. Any size donation can be helpful to promote the hard work of those at the United Way.

For more information on the annual luncheon, including the various packages available, visit https://uwssc.org/annual-community-engagement-luncheon. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kamala L. Martinez, Senior Director of Donor Development and Grants, via email at KMartinez@uwssc.org or by calling at the office (941) 484-4811 or cell (630) 730-4713.

#UWSSC #UnitedWayOfSouthSarasotaCounty #GivingBack #SponsorsNeeded #AnnualCommunityEngagementLuncheon