Coconino County Deputy Manager Lucinda Andreani, a long-time member of the Summit Society of United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA), embodies the spirit of giving and community involvement.

Born in California, she has been active in community affairs throughout her life, whether it was helping launch a local chapter of the National Organization for Women or participating in environmental cleanups.

Her journey with United Way began when she was working for the California utility company PG&E, which promoted workplace giving to their local United Ways and provided matching grants for donations. Lucinda was always in the top tier of donors.

Since moving to Flagstaff over 26 years ago, her commitment to UWNA has only deepened and she consistently has been a member of the Summit Society, UWNA donors who give a minimum of $500 annually.

"It’s about having an impact," she says. "I know if I give to UWNA, those funds get leveraged and combined with other individual donations, corporate sponsorship, and government resources. Together, we improve people's daily lives."

In her role with the County, Lucinda understands firsthand the importance of UWNA in addressing Northern Arizona’s unique challenges.

In recent years, the region has faced devastating wildfires followed by severe flooding. During these crises, UWNA mobilized volunteers to fill sandbags and coordinated services to support affected families, including post-flooding property cleanup.

“There was no way the County could have managed that alone," Lucinda said. "It made a big difference in our recovery efforts."

As a longtime advocate for education and youth support, Lucinda also values UWNA’s focus on stepping up for youth.

"Arizona faces challenges in education," she notes. "The work UWNA does to support youth and provide early childhood educational resources is critical. It ensures families have the support they need, so all children have the chance to thrive.”

She sees UWNA’s investment in youth as a vital piece in building a stronger, healthier community that supports each generation.

Lucinda’s dedication to UWNA reflects her belief in the collective power of giving. She encourages others to consider the importance of a community safety net, emphasizing how UWNA’s programs benefit everyone.

“There will come a time when each of us, or someone we love, will need these services," she said. "Working together to improve lives is incredibly important.”