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 25th at The Place on Beal. The sold-out event brought together a diverse group of 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.
“I became a Law Enforcement Officer to serve my community. Soon after starting my career, I learned, while I could assist with immediate needs, I was unable to address long term issues,” said outgoing UWEC Board Chair, Captain Jason Fulghum of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. “Once I became involved with United Way, I discovered people who were working diligently to serve our community in addressing long term issues. Over the past year, it has been my privilege to serve as Chair of the Board, and I look forward to moving the mission forward in years to come.”
During the event, UWEC presented an overview of its achievements from the past year including coordinating 9,787 volunteer hours, serving 100,153 clients, and investing in 51 grants to local, vetted non-profit organizations. The organization proudly announced a $1.98 million impact on Okaloosa and Walton counties, which was celebrated with a champagne toast led by Hannah Wilburn of All In Credit Union.
“One of the things that I love most about UWEC is that our dollars are raised here 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.”
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.
