United Way of Brevard

News

2008 United Way Campaign Chair Dr. DiPatri
with 2009 Campaign Chair Mark Mikolajczyk

United Way Announces 2009 Goal - $6,700,000!

United Way of Brevard is pleased to announce members of its 2009 Campaign Cabinet. Mark Mikolajczyk, President and Publisher of FLORIDA TODAY, will serve as 2009 Campaign Chair, leading a powerful group of community leaders to achieve a campaign goal of $6,700,000 this fall. “We’re grateful to Mark for his leadership,” stated Rob Rains, President of United Way of Brevard. “He has a genuine heart for this community and is dedicated to helping us make the greatest difference possible this year.”

Mikolajczyk will be supported by United Way staff and a campaign cabinet that has been meeting since March in an effort to energize people to LIVE UNITED by being “one more” this year. “One more dollar, one more donor, one more life changed” will be the theme of the campaign, which is slated to begin in September. Other leaders in this year’s Campaign include: Chas Hoyman, Hoyman Dobson & Co., who will serve as Vice Chair/2010 Campaign Chair, and as Leadership Giving Co-Chair along with Andy Hament, Ford Harrison, LLP. Jim Sheppard with Publix Super Markets will serve as Loaned Leader Chair, and George and Liz Mikitarian will serve as Tocqueville Society Chairs.

Other cabinet members for this year’s drive include: Don Breckenridge, Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place; David Brock, Community Credit Union; Kim Brown, Coastal Mechanical Services; Wes Covell, Harris Corporation; Chad Davis, Cross Oceans; Dr. Richard DiPatri, Brevard Public Schools; Erik Eavenson, Strategic Insurance Management; Rick Fleming, West Shore Jr./Sr. High; Johnette Gindling, Wuesthoff Health System; Dan Gizinski; John Horan, ASRC Aerospace; Jack Johnson; Dana Kilborne, Prime Bank; Darlene Koenig, Delaware North Companies; Adrian Laffitte, Lockheed Martin; Troy Lotane, Vance Lotane & Bookhardt, PA; Ann Luke, Wachovia Bank, N.A.; Dr. Linda Miedema, Brevard Community College; Steve Muzzy, Brevard Public Schools; Rob Perers, American Business Interiors; Charles Parker; Sandy Sanderson, FPL; and Natalie Sellers, Parrish Medical Center.

United Way Salutes Supporters for Record Year!

United Way of Brevard celebrated the success of its record-breaking $6.6 million 2008 community campaign with an Award Breakfast.

Dr. Anthony (Tony) Catanese, President of Florida Tech and United Way Board Chair, was on hand to assist with some special recognition. The first honor given was United Way’s Bridge Builder Award. This award is provided to an individual volunteer whose tireless efforts have left a lasting and positive impact on United Way of Brevard as a whole. These volunteers use their special talents to build bridges of caring within the community through their service to United Way. This year’s recipient was Kendall Moore, a local attorney and United Way’s Community Impact Chair who is also a member of United Way’s Board of Directors. “Kendall was the one who truly saw that our United Way needed to focus its efforts to have the greatest impact. He dedicated countless hours to helping us create our new priorities strategy – from initial research right through to implementation,” commented Catanese. “While it will take time to move the dial in these three important areas, the stakes we’ve put in the ground are very real. Kendall, congratulations and thank you for your commitment.”

Catanese also presented the 2008 Chairman’s award. This award is the highest level of recognition United Way of Brevard provides annually to an organization that has displayed excellence in corporate citizenship, far beyond support of the annual fundraising drive. This year’s honoree was bright house Networks. “Not only has their employee campaign doubled in the last two years, but their generous media support helped us achieve our record-breaking campaign total, spreading the word throughout the community,” shared Catanese. “Our friends at bright house also support a myriad of other local charities, Brevard Public Schools and the arts. In fact, they are this year’s official sponsor of the Melbourne Art Festival. They truly exemplify what it means to give back to the community and we are proud to be able to recognize them in this way.”

United Way’s 2008 Campaign Chair, Dr. Richard DiPatri, Superintendent of Brevard Public School, helped to recognize the accomplishments of many of the companies in attendance. “I started my year visiting many of the agencies whose programs are funded by our United Way and saw first-hand why our efforts are so important to people in need here in Brevard,” commented DiPatri. “Telling the story about the empty shelves at the sharing center, or how almost every bed was filled at the domestic violence shelter was hard. But even harder would be telling the story about a community without a United Way and donors such as you. Together, we truly are making a difference in people’s lives and I thank you for that.”

Click here to see a full list of awards.