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As we begin the holiday season and reflect on our 2009 accomplishments, I want you to know what a difference you made in the lives of people you helped by partnering with United Way. Whether you give, advocate or volunteer, you played a role in advancing United Way as the premier charitable partner in Tampa Bay.
Because of you, and in collaboration with others who share our vision, we are on the road to increasing graduation rates among our children. Because of you, and our many partners in the cause, we will realize financial stability goals for the hard-working, low-income families we serve. And, because of you, people challenged by unemployment and economic crisis will have food, shelter, and support.
This holiday season, our United Way family wants you to know how much we appreciate you. From our board and committee members to our volunteers and donors, we are grateful for your sacrifices of time, talent, and treasure.
Please allow me to take this personal opportunity to wish you and your families a happy and peaceful season to enjoy the blessings of life, work, school, friends, faith and community. As you respond to the call to action – to give, advocate, and volunteer – you become part of the change. You inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. Thank you!
Happy Holidays!
With the fantastic change of weather last month came some of our crowning achievements. Our community impact goal to help children and youth achieve their potential was brought to the forefront during the Graduation Pathway Summit we hosted along with the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County Schools. Nearly 400 interested and vested business and civic leaders attended, determined to place a stake in the ground to continue improving the graduation rate in Hillsborough County Schools.
Not graduating from high school is bad for the child and bad for the community. Every dropout earns $300,000 less over his or her lifetime than a high school graduate. They are incarcerated more and their medical costs are higher.
At the Summit, businesses vowed to get involved using a well-known United Way vehicle – a pledge form – through which they made commitments individually or committed their companies to help in the five strategic areas:
- Mentoring/Tutoring
- Service Learning
- Parent Involvement
- Out-of-School Time
- School and Work Readiness
The shared goal is to increase the graduation rate to 90 percent by 2019. With this much community interest, I’m confident we’ll get the job done.
If you’re interested in making a difference in this vital community effort, click here and get involved.
When you join the LIVE UNITED Network, you’re joining a group of aspiring leaders looking for more than professional development—they’re looking for personal development. LIVE UNITED Network identifies the next generation of community leaders, introduces them to influential philanthropists in the Tampa Bay area and prepares them for their role in serving our community. As a member, you support vital community impact programs through a minimum donation of $1,000 to United Way of Tampa Bay. As a LIVE UNITED Network member, you’ll rub elbows with high-level executives in the Tampa Bay area while making a positive impact in the community through the group’s volunteer, social, and networking projects and events.
And, through a unique opportunity, the McKnight Challenge Grant* turns your $1,000-plus gift into $2,000 or more. You’re doubling your gift, but more importantly, doubling the impact to your community.
To take advantage of this challenge grant opportunity or for additional information or questions about LIVE UNITED Network, contact Kimberly Hall, LIVE UNITED Network Liaison, at (813) 274-0979 or khall@uwtb.org.
* The McKnight Challenge Grant will match new and increased leadership gifts to a $23,000 cap. The matching money is earmarked for homeless and disabled programming. The McKnight Challenge Grant is administered through the Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund. The challenge grant ends December 31, 2009.
Davin Joseph is big – six foot three inches, 313 pounds. That’s to be expected for an NFL lineman.
His heart is big, too. Davin helped start a program through United Way of Tampa Bay to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need. In 2008 “Turkey Time with the O-Line” served 600 meals. He participates in programs to help pediatric patients. And Davin’s Dream Team provides home game tickets to charitable groups.
Davin was selected as the player spokesman for United Way of Tampa Bay to highlight the 35-year collaboration between the groups, and to promote the LIVE UNITED message. How does he feel about his role?
“I’ve been in Tampa Bay since 2006 and I’m searching for more ways to make an impact on the community,” he said. “Becoming the United Way of Tampa Bay’s player spokesman has motivated me to get more involved. It’s gotten me grounded and helped me learn where I can make a difference.”
Davin puts a child through his paces.
He helped out in a big way – the only way he knows how – at the recent Hometown Huddle. A collaboration between United Way and the NFL, Hometown Huddle encourages kids to play at least 60 minutes a day. It’s part of United Way’s 10-year goal to increase by one-third the number of youth who are healthy and avoid risky behavior.
Hometown Huddle was held at the West Tampa Boys & Girls Club in early October. More than 120 children took turns throwing, catching, running, tackling and having a ball with United Way of Tampa Bay volunteers and the Buccaneer players and cheerleaders who came to play. Davin tiptoed through the nets and trotted slowly around the obstacle course so the children could keep up. He cheered as the kids tackled the dummy and picked it up for the next enthusiastic tackle. He posed for pictures and signed autographs.
“I learn from everyone, receive knowledge from everyone, and I’ve learned how much of an impact one person can make,” he said. “Our country is going through a rough time right now and I want to help as many people as I can – kids, families, seniors. I bet our Thanksgiving dinner giveaway will double this year.”
He continued, “I want to be the spark that inspires people to give, to volunteer, to get involved.”
How does Davin Joseph LIVE UNITED?
“I LIVE UNITED to help those in need and inspire others to give back.”
A Tampa child goes for a long one.
October is a busy month. Our workplace campaigns are under way. A Graduation Summit will bring together business leaders and educators, and our on-going collaboration with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to promote youth fitness plays out during Hometown Huddle Oct. 6. Our largest volunteer activity of the year, Day of Caring, is Oct. 15.
I’m encouraged by the promising early results of our workplace campaigns and hope the good news continues for the sake of our community. Our campaign coordinators pull out all the stops to run creative company campaigns, from kickoff breakfasts to pumpkin-decorating contests to dunk the executive opportunities. One of my favorites is the agency tours Mosaic offers its employees so they can see exactly where their United Way dollars go.
Please spread the word about the free tax preparation available in January for low- to moderate-income working families and individuals. Instead of spending their hard-earned dollars to get early rebates, we encourage them to wait a few weeks longer and get their taxes done free. Our goal is to help them keep more of what they earn so they can use it to move toward financial stability and ensure a brighter future for their children.
Thank you for your belief in our mission to improve lives and create lasting community change in Tampa Bay. Thank you for living united.
If you know anyone who earned less than $49,000 in 2009, they may be eligible for up to $5,600 in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – and they can get their taxes done free beginning in January.
Many families have their taxes done using their year-end paycheck and sometimes pay more than they should, especially if they want a quick refund. By taking advantage of the free tax preparation, these working families and individuals can keep more of what they earn.
Eligibility requirements for the 2009 EITC are:
- Families with three or more qualifying children who earn less than $43,279 (or less than $48,279 married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $5,657.
- Families with two qualifying children who earn less than $40,295 (or less than $45,295 married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $5,028.
- Families with one qualifying child who earn less than $35,463 (or less than $40,463 married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $3,043.
- Workers without a qualifying child who earn less than $13,440 (or less than $18,440 married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $457.
Another credit sometimes overlooked is the Child Tax Credit, which is up to $1,000 per qualifying child. For tax year 2009, the minimum income threshold needed to qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit has been reduced from $12,050 to $3,000, so more families will be eligible.
The free tax preparation service is offered by partners of the Prosperity Campaigns of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, including United Way of Tampa Bay. All tax preparers are trained volunteers. Thirty-seven sites will be open in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties by the end of January 2010. Site locations will be posted at www.unitedwaytampabay.org shortly.
If you know anyone who would benefit, spread the word. Help low- and moderate-income working families and individuals keep more of what they earn.
