To help people in our area become more healthy, self-sufficient, and to be able to help themselves and each other. Changing lives, shaping communities, investing in results...it's what matters.

SERVING: People in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties

Description:
Most people think of United Way as a fund raiser, and raising money is important, but it takes more than money to build better communities. It takes people who care, and it takes a forum to bring them together, coordinate efforts, set goals, and measure progress. Our United Way of Northwest Florida puts this winning combination together to tackle our toughest role: Serving as our communities' conscience.

Our United Way belongs to the people of our area. Our job is to help these people make the differences they want to make in building better communities. Our United Way looks at what health and human service programs are most beneficial for the entire community. Forty local United Way agencies offer a gamut of services ranging from pre-natal care for expectant mothers to support for people with a terminal disease, and everyone in between. Funds raised during the annual Community Campaign benefit these local agencies.

We are a local organization, governed by local volunteers, whose sole purpose is helping local people live better lives. By concentrating community resources, our United Way process raises more money for more local programs, benefitting more local people more efficiently and effectively than all other nonprofits combined. And, that's really what it's all about -- helping people!

History:
United Way of Northwest Florida began as the Community Chest in 1932 with a budget of $3,300. In 1942 the Community Chest became the Bay County Community Chest, in 1957 the United Fund of Bay County and in 1974 the United Way of Bay County. In 1988 the name became United Way of Northwest Florida to reflect our expanded service area: Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties. Donations to the United Way of Northwest Florida remain in these six counties and are overseen by local volunteers.

Contact people:

Joyce Cruel, Director For First Call For Help/Volunteer Connection, (phone), (email) Brian Taylor, President, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (850) 784-2569

Address:

518 Mulberry Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.unitedwaynwfl.org