How you can be an Everyday Hero with United Way of Central Alabama

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This week, the United Way of Central Alabama asked our greater Birmingham community to step-up and Be An Everyday Hero.

Jeff Stone, Executive Vice President, Brasfield & Gorrie and the 2019 United Way of Central Alabama Campaign Chair challenged more than 400 UWCA volunteers and donors attending United Way’s annual fundraising kickoff to help raise $36.5 million to meet increasing community needs.

“It’s much more than a number,” said Stone, “United Way is the largest health and human service network in Central Alabama. It’s about the over 100 agency partners and programs and their clients who rely on United Way’s annual allocation.”

The funds raised during the campaign impact lives in the areas of health, education, and financial stability. Giving is easy. Just visit www.uwca.org .

A Call to Action

According to Frank Adams, Jr., CEO of the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club, the partnership with United Way has helped make the construction of the new A.G.Gaston facility next to the CrossPlex in Birmingham a reality.

“The United Way has helped us programmatically over the years,” Adams said at a morning news conference launching the 2019 United Way campaign. “I’m encouraging everyone to give, because you are not just giving to an organization, you are investing in people. We have thousands of young people who are able to learn, engage and explore because of the support we receive directly from United Way of Central Alabama.”

This year’s campaign message, BE AN EVERYDAY HERO, is a call to action to consider who the heroes have been in our own lives and how they have impacted our lives.

At the afternoon kickoff of the campaign, volunteers were given an inspirational speech by Ashley Rhodes-Courter, a New York Times best selling author and a hero in her own right.

Rhodes-Courter was born to a single mother and by age three was in Florida’s foster care system where she spent ten years. An everyday hero, today Rhodes-Courter is a national advocate for foster care reform and is a leading child welfare advocate.

“Thank you for all you’re doing through United Way because you’re saving lives like mine,” said Rhodes-Courter.

Off to a Great Start

The Be an Everyday Hero 2019 Campaign is already off to a great start thanks to Jill Deer, Vice President, Planning, Administration and Risk, Brasfield & Gorrie.

This summer, Deer served as the Pacesetter Chairman. Along with her team of Loaned Executives, campaign volunteers, and more than 66 corporations, businesses, hospitals, and non-profits, the Pacesetter part of the United Way campaign exceeded its goal and raised $13,591,150. Those pledges will put United Way over one-third of the way toward meeting its overall goal.

Loaned Executives

Also at both the morning and afternoon kickoff events was 2019 Class of Loaned Executives, which is made up of 32 community leaders. This group will work over the next 13 weeks multiplying the capacity of United Way’s Resource Development staff to reach out to local businesses that participate in the annual fundraising campaign.

Serving Our Neighbors

The United Way of Central Alabama serves Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount, and St. Clair counties by providing solutions for the most critical needs in the community.

Through their partner agencies and community initiatives, the United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community in Central Alabama.

Want to be an everyday hero? Contact the United Way of Central Alabama today.

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