Escambia United Way Announces ‘Big Hairy Goal’

August 29, 2010

The United Way of Escambia County has announced its “Big Hairy Audacious Goal” and a new three-year strategic plan.

“Our Big Hairy Audacious Goal, also known as our vision statement, is to be a recognized leader in mobilizing the community to achieve bold goals in education, financial stability and health,” said Jean Norman, United Way of Escambia County president and CEO.

United Way of Escambia County’s staff and Board of Directors earlier this year developed and adopted a new three-year strategic plan to strategize for further growth and more focused emphasis on the three priorities. The annual meeting allowed United Way to thank community partners and volunteers for their increasing support and participation. During the height of the nation’s worst economic recession in decades, financial giving to United Way of Escambia County was up four percent over the previous year.

The following awards were presented to three individuals and one partner non-profit agency for exemplary support of the United Way mission during the past year:

  • Rayell Irish “Color a Brighter World” Award: Presented to Marsha Travis, director of residential programs, FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, for her dedication over 26 years to saving and changing lives. This award is in memory of Rayell Irish, a former United Way employee and active philanthropist.
  • Partner Agency of the Year: Presented to The Salvation Army for outstanding partnership to meet basic needs and address the reasons for the need in the first place.
  • United Way Service Award: Presented to Michael Thornton, managing partner of Brown Thornton Pacenta & Company, P.As, for outstanding service and leadership as champion of the United Way Financial Stability Coalition.
  • Distinguished Community Service Award: Presented to Skip Housh, advocacy chair for United Way of Escambia County, for passionate and persistent advocacy on behalf of children. The Distinguished Community Service Award is the highest honor the United Way of Escambia County Board of Directors can bestow.

Doris Young, vice president of Cox Media and the 2010-2011 United Way Board of Directors Chair, ended the group’s annual meeting by challenging all in attendance to step up their efforts and become year-round ambassadors for United Way and its partner agencies. To become involved with United Way or learn more, call (850) 434-3157 or e-mail info@unitedwayescambia.org.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News