MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings!

Welcome to the end of August - and what a wonderful way to close out the month!



Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Annual Community Meeting. It was truly inspiring to see so many people come together to celebrate what we can accomplish when we care for and invest in our neighbors.

Together, we reflected on the many lives and success stories made possible through your generosity. We also had the privilege of presenting our annual Legacy Award to Mark O’Bryant, President & CEO of Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, and sharing updates on the impact we are making today and our goals for the future.

For me, one of the most meaningful moments was simply looking around the room and seeing the Big Bend community together—donors, volunteers, partners, supporters, and friends—all united by a shared commitment to helping our neighbors thrive. Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, volunteered, sponsored, and helped make this year’s gathering so special.

We were also excited to announce the featured speaker for the 2026 Women’s Leadership Breakfast hosted by Women United: Sheinelle Jones! An award-winning journalist, author, and co-host of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle on NBC, Sheinelle will join us in Tallahassee this November. We are honored to welcome her to our community and look forward to what is sure to be an inspiring event.

If you are interested in sponsoring the Women’s Leadership Breakfast, please click the button below our Save the Date graphic for more information.

Thank you for believing in United Way and, most importantly, for believing in the power of community. This year's event was a wonderful reminder that when the Big Bend comes together, there is so much we can accomplish.

With gratitude,

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE 2026 ANNUAL COMMUNITY MEETING

This year's Annual Community Meeting was another great success! Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed to, and made our annual gathering the incredible celebration it is each year.



This year, we discussed the real numbers behind our impact, revealed the speaker for this year's Women's Leadership Breakfast, and enjoyed the company of our neighbors from around the Big Bend. We had a fantastic time, so be sure to stay tuned to our website for all of this year's photos!

Ready for a transformative morning of inspiration and community? The 2026 Women's Leadership Breakfast speaker is Sheinelle Jones, an award-winning journalist, author, and co-host of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.

Sponsorships are now available, click below or contact Caylie Atkins at caylie@uwbb.org for more information.

UWBB TO CO-HOST TRUNK OR TREAT EVENT ON OCTOBER 17TH

The only thing scary about free candy? It runs out!

Join United Way of the Big Bend, Leon County Government, the Children's Services Council of Leon County, and United Partners for Human Services for another spooky Trunk or Treat event at Old West Florida Enrichment Center on October 17th!

The event will take place between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and costumes are encouraged!

HELP US REACH OUR GOAL

For the past several years, our MathPals program has been a quiet success story in the Big Bend. Every week, students who once dreaded facing simple math problems walk into our one-on-one sesisons, sit down with a tutor who knows their name, and start to understand. That lightbulb moment, when a child realizes they can do math, is what gives us the drive to keep this program going.

But right now, that light is flickering.

Your support matters because math confidence in elementary school isn't just about grades, It's about giving kids the foundation to pursue whatever they want - whether that's science, trades, art, or just making it through homework without tears.

So, what now? We have the curriculum and dedicated volunteers, but your support is the crucial third piece that makes this program successful. Help us reach our $2,500 goal to start the school year off right by clicking the button below.

UWBB ATTENDS TALLAHASSEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE

Photos: Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce

Recently, United Way of the Big Bend was represented by members of our team and our Board of Directors at the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce's Annual Conference. There, they connected with community leaders from around the Big Bend, advocated for our neighbors, and learned more about economic opportunity for North Florida.

UWBB board members Eddie Gonzalez-Loumiet (Chair, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Board), Micheal Dalby (President & CEO of Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce), Andrew Gay (Chair-Elect, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Board), and Mark O'Bryant were speakers and panelists at the conference.

HELP LOCAL STUDENTS BUILD CONFIDENCE

Some of the best moments in a child's week are the simplest ones: curling up with a good story, finally cracking a math problem that used to feel impossible, or just interacting with a positive role model. You can be part of those moments by volunteering with our ReadingPals and MathPals programs!

Our community is looking for friendly, patient volunteers for these programs that help Big Bend students build confidence in the basics.

ReadingPals pairs you with a young struggling reader for about one hour a week. You'll read together, sound out words, and practice reading skills-based games - no teaching experience needed, just a love of children and a little patience.

MathPals matches you with a child struggling to grasp basic math skills. In a weekly hourly meeting, you'll help kids learn math concepts and practice basic skills - including problem-solving - in a low-pressure, encouraging way.

Ready to change a life? Click the "learn more" buttons below to get started.

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