Greetings!

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

Neighbors and friends,

The weather may be cooling down, but our event schedule is just heating up! Our campaign is in full swing, we're hosting events like Read UNITED week (October 20-24th) and our Women's Leadership Breakfast (November 6th), and we've been out and about in the community working with talented and creative workplace campaigns.

Our Ninth Annual Women's Leadership Breakfast featuring speaker Deshauna Barber is coming up fast, and tickets are now available here! Grab a few of your closest friends and secure your spot at an event sure to be full of inspiration, togetherness, and an opportunity to make new friends. I look forward to seeing many familiar faces and meeting new neighbors from around the Big Bend this year, so I hope you will join me and the entire UWBB team as we celebrate another year of this event!

Thank you,

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE 9TH ANNUAL WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST NOVEMBER 6TH

FEATURING DESHAUNA BARBER-ECHOLS

We're just two weeks away from our Women's Leadership Breakfast on November 6th, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back. Every year, Women United and United Way of the Big Bend bring an inspirational female speaker to the Big Bend for a morning of motivation, community, and, of course, breakfast! Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact Alaina Gilpin at alaina@uwbb.org today to learn more!

Read UNITED IS BACK FOR FALL!

Read UNITED this year was an absolute blast! Every spring and fall, United Way of the Big Bend hosts Read UNITED throughout Leon County Schools, a week-long literacy initiative that brings local volunteers into classrooms to read to students and deliver free books for classroom libraries. We're so thankful for every one of our volunteers who give their time to this event and the future of our schoolchildren, and we know the kids appreciate a new face and even newer books each year!

Interested in participating in Read UNITED? Head to our webpage below and stay tuned to our social media channels for updates on the next event!



VITA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 2026 TAX SEASON

For over 20 years, our VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program staffed with IRS-certified volunteers has provided free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing for individuals, assisting thousands of low- to moderate-income individuals and families.

“Our VITA program has enabled thousands of our neighbors in the Big Bend to take steps towards financial freedom, thanks in no small part to our dedicated group of volunteers who return year after year to continue the United Way of the Big Bend’s commitment to helping those who need it most," says Impact Strategies Director Samantha Sager.

Want to help your neighbors get the most out of their tax refund while learning more about the tax process and becoming an IRS-Certified volunteer? Join VITA today at the link below to help us fill our roster for the 2026 tax season!

A BETTER BIG BEND

Capital Medical Society's We Care Network Program

Through funding from United Way of the Big Bend, Capital Medical Society's We Care Network Program connects patients with local doctors and specialists who volunteer their time and resources to provide care to those who would otherwise be unable to afford it.

Watch Greta's story below, and learn how the combined power of your donations and an inspired community came together to help her overcome obstacles.

Will you help us continue to make miracles like this happen? Give today at the link below!

SAVE THE DATE! POWER OF THE PURSE RETURNS THIS FEBRUARY!

Get ready - Power of the Purse is returning! Stay tuned for more information on next year's purses, ticketing and sponsorship information, and more! In the meantime, check out these pictures from last year's incredible event.

OUR 2025 CAMPAIGN IS LIVE!

Our 2025 Campaign is now live, and you can help by donating below! We're working to improve lives in the Big Bend every day, and the support of our community means the world to us. Ready to jump in? Head to uwbb.org today, or visit the link below to learn more about our funded program partners, our in-house community programs, and the ways we're working to make the Big Bend an incredible place to live!

JOIN THE ELITE RANKS OF ReadingPals THIS FALL!

Donate one hour of your time per week to help change the lives of struggling readers in the Big Bend

Your encouragement and support can help a struggling reader practice important reading skills, improve vocabulary and fluency, and gain self-confidence. With your help, your pal makes the gains they need to move on to the next grade. We provide the lessons, materials, and training - you provide your time and energy. Together, we help our little pals succeed!!

For more information about our ReadingPals Program and how to get started, contact Samantha Sager at (850) 414-0856 or email communityimpact@uwbb.org.

HELP US REACH OUR GOAL: 50 MATHPALS FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR

Our MathPals program has begun for the 2025-26 school year! We still need volunteers to work with children, grades K – 3, who need support for practicing basic math skills. This year, we're looking to double our numbers and enroll 50 MathPals volunteers! We provide fun materials and activities for you and your pal to work on together helping to reinforce the skills they are learning in their classroom. One hour of your time adds up to improved outcomes for your little pal. And when our children succeed, our community thrives!   

For more information about our MathPals program and how to get started, contact Samantha Sager at (850) 414-0856 or email communityimpact@uwbb.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

VITA training is coming up soon, so stay tuned to our social channels and website for updates!

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