LIVE UNITED

By Roger Luke

Vice-President of Communications

 

Women dedicated to community solutions and service was the theme during the United Way of the Big Bend’s (UWBB) POWER of the PURSE (POP) 6th Annual Kickoff at Hotel Duval Oct. 24.

 

More than 100 women united as Keynote Speaker Triston Sanders (WCTV News Director) discussed the importance of philanthropy even during these tough economic times.

 

“As we kickoff our sixth year of POP, we are thrilled at the tremendous momentum generated by women who have joined efforts in philanthropic giving,” said Mia McKown, 2011 POP chair and Holland & Knight attorney. “We will continue to raise money for all United Way agencies while also making a difference in the lives Big Bend children through our READ UNITED Project. Together, we’re doing something about it.”

 

Among the kickoff events, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a silent auction and POP Market featuring wonderful gift items for purchase from local specialty shops that benefit POP’s READ UNITED Project.

 

READ UNITED was developed to encourage a love of reading in students and provide a resource to get them started on their journey, said Heather Mitchell, UWBB vice-president of resource development.

 

“How does READ UNITED work you may ask?” Mitchell commented. “It will provide a free book to every first-grade, public-school student in the Big Bend. POP members will recruit sponsors for the book drive, volunteers for distribution of the books and readers for every first-grade classroom in Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties. Tonight, we ask for you to volunteer and become a part of this effort.”

 

POP’s READ UNITED goal is to raise $5,000 and distribute more than 4,400 books!

 

In the 2010 United Way of the Big Bend campaign, 554 POP members raised more than $901,000. POP provides a collaborative forum for women of all ages who want to significantly improve the quality of life in the Big Bend through leadership giving, advocacy and volunteering. It’s about joining with like-minded women to be a strong voice and make a difference in meeting needs in the community.

 

For more information on POP, contact Heather Mitchell at 414.0855 or send an email to heather@uwbb.org.