2014-2015 Annual Report - United Way of Putnam County, Florida

United Way of Putnam County
2014-2015 Annual Report
We Are Our Brother’s Keeper!
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Malcolm Fabre, President
Tim Smith, Vice President and Campaign Chairman
John Schneider, Vice President and Allocations Chairman
Kathy Jorgensen, Treasurer
BOARD MEMBERS
Anne Allen
Janet Martin
Meghan Deputy
Kerry Rowell
Lisa Miller
Sandy Rowell
Stephanie Heckscher
Charlotte Santa
Don Jacobovitz
Bud Surratt
Roxane Kennedy
Sam Deputy
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PARTNERSHIPS
American Red Cross
Boy Scouts, North Florida Council
Catholic Charities Bureau
Girl Scouts of Gateway Council
Heart of Putnam Food Pantry
Lee Conlee House
Palatka Christian Service Center
Putnam Family Fitness Center
Putnam Habitat for Humanity
St. Vincent de Paul Society
South Putnam Christian Service Center
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THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
MALCOLM FABRE
So here we are celebrating the culmination of our 23 rd year. The
United Way of Putnam County has been a cornerstone in raising
monies and supporting our local agencies for the benefit of our county
and its ~74,000 residents. As with many of these past several years,
this one turned out to be another challenging year, but one that has
been very rewarding to say the least. When you go into a year
knowing your county is at the bottom of 67 counties on the poverty
rate (as nationally publicized on MSN Money back in February) and
number 66 of 67 on the unemployment rate, you can pretty much be
assured you will meet many challenges along the way. With such a well diverse executive team at hand,
and all the local businesses and nonprofit service agencies here in support to build a better community, I
am VERY proud to say we have accomplished and even exceeded what we set out to do.
In discussing some of our successes throughout this year; this was our 2nd year of operating
independently, and we have continued to grow our main office and its’ administrative support that is
located in East Palatka at the Florida Highway Patrol Station. We enhanced our presence in the
community and our capabilities with administration by making our part-time executive director a fulltime position with the addition of Blythe Byrd. We revised, updated, and implemented our by-laws to
reflect current needs and meet the requirements of our organization. We further rejuvenated our board’s
presence by bringing on several new and eager individuals with diverse talents and backgrounds from
within our community. Our website http://uwpcfl.org continues to grow and we have added more
transparency by posting our by-laws, board meeting minutes, updates, initiatives, etc. all on the site to be
viewed by the public at any time. We forged new affiliations with more businesses, partnering agencies,
support networks, and were re-affiliated with the Palatka Christian Service Center. This has all helped to
increase our visibility to you, our community, and most of all to those who truly look to us for support
when needed. By meeting and eclipsing our all-time high goal of $200,000, we cannot say enough about
Seminole Electric Cooperative, Publix Supermarkets, Georgia Pacific, FP&L, Putnam Medical Center,
and Continental Building Products for their continuing high level of support along with all the other
businesses and residents that contributed to this year’s success.
It has been a complete privilege to serve you and our community for another year as President of our
United Way. I have again been very fortunate to work with someone as inspirational and supporting as
Tim Smith, who is our Campaign Chairman and has repeatedly been my sounding board. He has done an
excellent job in putting together a team of dedicated volunteers to share the United Way message to local
businesses and residents where the results reflected in us exceeding our goal. John Schneider, who served
as the Allocations Chairman for overseeing the process of visiting, preparing, and recommendations for
distributing these funds, and as the needs of our community continue to grow, this committee works very
hard to meet the needs of our Partner Agencies. John also was a big asset in the recruitment process this
year for the new executive director. Kathy Jorgensen, who as Treasurer has brought our bookkeeping and
reporting to new standards and is the person who continually brings vitality, inspiration and wisdom to a
group of appreciative individuals. She has also been a pillar of stone for hard work and dedication and
seemingly will not let anything slow her down. In addition, was the hiring of Blythe Byrd, who started
with us back in December as our Executive Director and continues to grow in the position while
supporting and offering many ideas to our Executive Team. With Blythe’s assistance, we have pushed
out into the social network arena and tapped into new opportunities for advocating and recruiting.
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My most sincere and heartfelt thanks go out to everyone involved with the United Way process as without
each and every supporter we have had, we could not have been as successful as we are today and I am so
very proud to have played a role in the support of it.
CAMPAIGN REPORT
Tim Smith, Vice President and Campaign Chairman
Putnam County has a heart as big as the sky as proven by the results of this years United Way Campaign.
Even though many are still feeling the effects of the Great Recession and the devastating impacts to daily
life, the giving this year was truly remarkable. This year the United Way Officers set the 2014 campaign
goal $200,000 and with the tremendous effort of the campaign team, we were able to reach our goal.
Once again the success of this year’s campaign is due in large part to our local businesses and their
commitment to maintain the level of support and in many instances exceed the prior year.
All in all it was rewarding year for the Campaign Team and because of their hard work and dedication,
including those of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, Putnam County residents will benefit
from the increased funding that will be available to assist the many agencies that are supported by United
Way of Putnam County.
My personal thanks go out to each and every team member along with all the businesses, residents, and
individuals that supported the campaign with their gift or pledge to United Way.
CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS
Roxane Kennedy
John Schneider
Malcolm Fabre
Kathy Jorgensen
Bud Surratt
Anne Allen
Leanne Davis
Don Jacobovitz
Roger Jones
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ALLOCATIONS REPORT
John Schneider, Vice President and Allocations Chairman
The role of the Allocations Committee and its Volunteer membership is to visit each member agency.
The purpose of the visit is to see and hear the stories of those agencies. In addition to the on-site
interview, each agency is required to provide financial data, business plans, program plans and an annual
assessment of their results.
Based on this thorough assessment, determinations are made about how to allocate the funds that are
donated to United Way to help support the continued work of each of the member agencies.
Each year the Allocations Committee members listen to and observe an impressive display of
accomplishments, plans, analysis, and community benefits by each of the member agencies. This year
was a continuation of that history.
Every agency touches the community in so many ways. Daily the agencies are helping with meeting
basic food, utility and housing needs, personal safety and disaster recovery, youth development, life skill
development, and in many cases lifesaving activities. All these events are improving the quality of life
for those involved; not only the recipients of the service but for the providers as well.
To all involved, on behalf of United Way of Putnam County we thank you.
ALLOCATIONS VOLUNTEERS
Anne Allen
Blythe Byrd
Keith Collier
Malcolm Fabre
Tina Gilyard
Stephanie Heckscher
Janet Martin
Lisa Miller
Jeanette Perry
Kerry Rowell
Sandy Rowell
Charlotte Santa
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TREASURER’S REPORT
Kathy Jorgensen, Treasurer
I am honored to once again have served as the Treasure for the United Way of Putnam County. I
continue to be amazed at how generous this community can be; in good times or in lean times, the people
and businesses of Putnam astonish me with their continued support. It’s been a privilege to be
responsible for helping to keep tabs on the hundreds of thousands of dollars United Way collects to
distribute here in Putnam County for those less fortunate than we are.
Having finished up the year hitting our $200,000 goal and all agency allocations for the 2014-2015 year
paid out, along with a surprise Christmas payout this past year, I am happy to report that our organization
is in good standing. Amazingly, we allocated $179,032 over the 2014-2015 year to the wonderful
agencies that help those most in need in our community. We now look expectantly to the future.
For now, however, I want to thank Jarrett Brunny for helping us to make the transition from United Way
of St. Johns County to standing on our own over the past couple of years and I wish him and his family all
the best in their new endeavors as we bid a fond farewell to him and a big welcome to Blythe Byrd. I am
so delighted to be working with our new, vivacious, intelligent, eager and dedicated Executive Director.
She and I have been working closely together to make this smooth running machine work even more
transparently and efficiently. It is important to note that we couldn’t do it without the kind help of the
good folks at Trim Bookkeeping and Carr, Riggs and Ingram.
I extend a huge “thank you” to our local businesses, employees and residents who give generously from
their hearts so we can serve those in our community who need it most.
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PILLARS CLUB MEMBERS
The Pillars Club is United Way’s symbol of leadership.
Thank you for your generous gifts of charity.
Alexis De Tocqueville Society………………………………...…………$10,000+
We thank the employees of Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc., Publix Charities, Florida Power
& Light Company, Georgia Pacific, and Putnam Community Medical Center for coming together
to exceed $10,000 in contributions to United Way independently. These organizations have
shown consistent excellence in the United Way fundraising and a marked commitment to
community charity year after year.
Corinthian Pillars………………………………………………………….$2,500 - $9,999
Thank you to the School District of Putnam County and all its members that pulled together this
wonderful donation to the United Way. We also want to thank the companies of Mor-PPM and
AMROX-ISSI for their generous donations as well as the following individual:
Col. Charles Myers, III & Helen F. Meyers
Ionic Pillars………………………………………………………..………..$1,000 - $2,499
1st Coast Recycling, Inc
Don MacKay, Jr.
W. G. Yates and Sons
Continental Building Products Co.
Christopher C. Brew
Bob & Sue Moore
Deep South Industrial Services, Inc
Charity Chester
Jenny Marcinell
IBM
Stephen Erikson
Derek Odom
Pritchett Trucking, Inc
Malcolm & Riley Fabre
Kerry & Sandy Rowell
St. Johns River Water Management
Ricky G. Leary
Barbara Thomas
Taylor’s Industrial Coatings, Inc
Benita Lookadoo
TD Bank
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Doric Pillars……………………………………………………………..………$500 – $999
Joseph E & Rhonda B Miller Foundation, Inc
Fred Dunbar III
FloTech
Natasha Hall
Ken Elliot Welding, Inc
Eric L. Hannold
Anne M. Allen
Jay Hardy
Rachel Blankenship
Mark K. Houchins
Venice J. Aubrey
Richard Mills
John W. Caldwell
Steven Riddle
Charles Carmichael
Jeffery Shivers
Kelly J. Carnahan
Lisa Stedner-Mitten
Gerald & Dina S. Christine
President’s Club……………………………………………..………………… $300 - $499
Nationwide
Dr. and Mrs. L.W. Garrett, MD
Amarilys Myers
Palatka Daily News
Wendy Glover
Aimee Parales
Sarah Church
Robert Hatton
Michael L. Patterson
Sarah Cooley
Ann Hiemenz
Andrea Slade
Ashely Cumbo
Linda L. Lake
Col. O. & Judith A. Surratt
Bryan G. Eubanks
Vicki Mayer
Diana Tilton
Omega Milton
Robyn Williams
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SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Publix Supermarkets, Seminole Electric Cooperative, Putnam County School Board, Florida
Power & Light, Continental Building Products, Putnam Community Medical Center, Vystar
Credit Union, TD Charitable Foundation, AT&T, American Iron Oxide Company (AMROX),
Mor-PPM, IBM, St. Johns River State College, Pritchett Trucking, St. Johns River Water
Management, Georgia Pacific, Putnam County Employees, WG Yates and Sons Construction,
Brenntag Mid-South, Deep South Industrial, Taylor’s Industrial Coatings, W.W. Gay
Mechanical, Aetna, 1st Coast Recycling, Flotech, Ken Elliot Welding, Putnam County Sheriff’s
Dept., Beard Equipment Co., Palatka Daily News, Tax Deed Office Building F, Graphics II, City
Cafe, Best Western of East Palatka, United Way Volunteers, Public Officials, Palatka Police
Dept, United Way of St. Johns County, Florida Highway Patrol, All Houses of Worship, our
families, friends, neighbors, and loved ones that make Putnam County a great place to live and
enable us to pursue our mission of charity.
Sponsored by Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Hosted by Best Western Inn of East Palatka
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Catering by:
Flowers by:
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