United Way Emerald Coast (UWEC), a local non-profit dedicated to improving lives and building stronger communities, successfully concluded its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, July 30, at The Place on Beal in Fort Walton Beach. The sold-out event brought together more than 120 stakeholders including donors, volunteers, board members, elected officials, community leaders, and partners.
The Annual Meeting served as a platform to celebrate UWEC’s accomplishments over the past year and engage with supporters, demonstrating the organization's commitment to transparency and collaboration.
“Eglin Federal Credit Union is a proud supporter and partner of the United Way Emerald Coast,” said VP Membership and Community Development Neko Stubblefield. “The credit union movement was founded on people helping people, and we embrace that same philosophy. People are at the heart of all that we do. As we embark on our 70th anniversary, we continue to move forward and keep giving back. There are so many ways to participate with the United Way Emerald Coast, large and small, and I encourage others to continue to serve with us. “
During the event, UWEC presented an overview of its achievements from the past year including coordinating 13,869 volunteer hours, serving 82,467 clients, and investing in 66 grants to local, vetted non-profit organizations. The organization proudly announced a $2.39 million impact on Okaloosa and Walton counties, which was an increase of more than $400,000 over the prior year.
“One of the things that I love most about UWEC is that our dollars are raised in Okaloosa and Walton counties and stay here,” said UWEC President & CEO Kelly Jasen. “Our Annual Meeting allowed us to celebrate our tremendous impact among a room of leaders who share a common goal of improving lives and building a stronger, healthier, and more equitable community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to our success and look forward to continuing our important work together.”
Several awards were presented including the President’s Circle, which recognizes the most generous partners of the year, and was awarded to Publix Super Markets, Florida Blue/Florida Blue Foundation, and CHELCO/CHELCO Foundation. Additionally, three outstanding volunteers were bestowed the prestigious title of Board Member Emeritus and honored for their legacy and impact on UWEC’s Board of Directors. Those recipients were Dr. Alexis Tibbetts (Walton County School District, retired), Alan Gieseman (White-Wilson Medical Center, retired), and Bernard Johnson (FPL).
As UWEC looks ahead, it remains committed to its mission and is poised to build upon the momentum generated at the Annual Meeting. The organization will continue to forge partnerships, seek innovative solutions, and is determined to create lasting positive change in the community.
If you would like to learn more, please visit www.united-way.org or stay connected on social media by following @uwemeraldcoast.
