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.