United Way of Central Alabama’s Centennial Celebration

United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) is celebrating 100 years of service to our community with a celebration you don’t want to miss. Come out and celebrate their commitment to make Central Alabama a better place on Saturday, June 24 with music, games and more. Keep reading for the deets.

Mark your calendars for June 24

Supporters, partners and neighbors are all invited to City Walk to enjoy this fun + free celebration. Stay tuned for more details, but here’s what you need to know:

• What: United Way of Central Alabama’s Centennial Celebration
• When: Saturday, June 24 | 3-8PM
• Where: City Walk BHAM, Block D, 19th Street to Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N
• Cost: Free

“We hope you will join us for our Centennial Celebration event later this year and help us keep fighting for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community.”

Craft O’Neal, UWCA’s 100th Anniversary Chair + CEO of O’Neal Industries

What to expect

UWCA is looking forward to celebrating its rich history and community impact at the event in June and all year long as they set the scene for the next 100 years. The community-wide celebration will honor this incredible milestone and all who have helped make it happen.

Ready to celebrate? Here are just a few fun things you can expect:

• an exciting announcement on plans for the next 100 years
• live music + entertainment
• local food + beverages
• games + activities for all ages
• a partner agency fair
• educational opportunities to learn more about United Way

United Way thanks their Centennial sponsors who are helping make this Centennial Celebration possible: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED and Regions.

100 years of serving

Since 1923, UWCA has served Central Alabama to meet needs of its residents. By supporting over 200 partners and programs, responding to emerging needs and creating services to address different issues, UWCA provides the community with resources needed to thrive.

“We are firm believers that when we come together as a whole, the possibilities are endless. Our 100-year impact on the Central Alabama community proves this, and we look forward to continuing to pave the way for real, tangible change for the next 100 years.”

Drew Langloh, President and CEO, UWCA

Their 100-year impact is no joke. Since the organization was founded by local leaders in 1923, originally as the Birmingham Community Chest, they’ve grown from supporting 31 agencies to now over 200 programs, services and initiatives across six counties.

Take a look at a few of the highlights of the last 100 years:

• 1929: Birmingham turned to the Community Chest (later UWCA) and its agencies for sustained, organized relief during the Great Depression. The community rallied and met a campaign goal of half a million dollars, a remarkable event during a crisis.
• 1943: During World War II, the Jefferson County Community Chest (later UWCA) broke all previous records and raised more than $1 million for the first time.
• 1966: Dr. A.G. Gaston and Dr. E.W. Taggart served as the first two Black board members. Gaston also established the A.G. Gaston Boys Club in Birmingham.
• 2006: UWCA leveraged $20.9 million to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Alabama.
• 2022: UWCA will announce its strategic plan for the next century, so the community’s safety net of services continues to thrive during the next 100 years.

Honoring the past and looking forward to the future

To continue to honor this achievement and thank each of its communities, UWCA will also complete a community project in each of the six counties they serve this year, including:

• Blount County
• Chilton County
• Jefferson County
• Shelby County
• St. Clair County
• Walker County

Details will be unveiled in the coming months, but each project will be customized to suit the needs of the community and site location.

For more information on UWCA or ways to get involved in the Centennial Celebration on June 24, visit their website.