Chairman's Challenge - United Way Kickoff

The United Way of the Big Bend's theme this year is "Use Both Hands". These three words say it all.
When we use both hands to do anything we are giving our all.
In this case we are giving our all to lift up people in need.

We are making our best effort to reach out to help those who have been placed into situations that make them less fortunate than ourselves. When we use both hands we are doing all we can as individuals within an organization, which makes this a "team" effort, as we catch the ball of human kindness. This type of commitment ensures that as a community we don't drop the ball when it comes to helping our neighbors in need.

Many of the programs and services that are provided by the 43 agencies that the United Way supports can literally save lives. CPR training and disaster relief programs are among the many ways the United Way can enter the lives of those in need.

This year's United Way goal is $5 million.

This may sound like a tall order. But it's really quite realistic when you look at this community's track record.

The Leon County/City of Tallahassee theme for this year is

"Local Government Working Together for Our All-America City"

The Tallahassee/Leon County area is now the fasting growing area in terms of contributions of any mid-size city in the United States. United Way contributions in this area have increased 52% since 1996.

Leon County's track record is especially impressive. In 1998, we raised over $28,000, an 18% increase over 1997. In 1997, we really outdid ourselves. County employees that year raised over $24,000, which was a 40% increase in dollars raised from the year before.

Our goal for this year is $31,220, which represents a 10% increase in donations over 1998. I know we can meet and even exceed this goal if we think about the impact of our contributions.

I know that if it means helping someone in need, many of us do not necessarily need a material incentive to inspire us to give. But just like last year we want to make this fun. We want to get everybody involved in having a good time with this.

Last year we raffled off and held drawings for some very nice gifts to contributors, and we look forward to doing the same this year.

We have a number of prizes that will be distributed in a drawing which will include the names of all challenge givers.

I am donating dinner for two to Chez Pierre, which will be given away in a drawing for all challenge giver participants.

We will also have drawings for 10 very nice goody bags that the TDC has put together.

Human Resources will also be raffling a Country Gift Basket for a $1.00 donation.

My final challenge will be to the City of Tallahassee. You all know that I've found myself in a number of tugs of war with the City and the Mayor over several issues. And during tomorrow's City/County Kickoff there will be an actual, real life tug-o-war that I intend to win.

You all know me and you know that I play fair, but I love to win, and I've been told that the City has a trophy for the winner of tomorrow's tug-o-war. I intend to bring that trophy back over to the Courthouse ladies and gentlemen. And I want you to know that I've prepared to win this tug-o-war and am therefore sending my representative.

(Have Wilbur Footman (Public Works) to stand up.)

Don't you all agree that with Wilbur's help we will bring that trophy back to Leon County?

The tug-o-war will take place tomorrow between 11:30 and 1:30, so come on over to Kleman Plaza for the City/County Kickoff, and help us root Wilbur on and enjoy some refreshments and other activities, to help us kick off this great event.

With this much activity, as well as other events that will be going on I know that we'll get to and exceed our goal of $31,000.

I believe all of our constitutional officers are here.

Would any of our constitutional officers like to issue a challenge to your employees?

We just want to have a good time with this, and we want to keep on doing great things for our community. This is something I am proud that we as an organization do very well. Let's get going and kick off our most successful United Way Campaign ever.