Resource Development Blog
By: Lauren Luckie-Merz, Manager of Resource Development

“United We Succeed.”

This statement serves as the motivating mantra for the United Way of Southwest Alabama’s (UWSWA) 2023 Community Campaign. It’s a simple mantra, but in my opinion, it perfectly sums up what it will take to reach the 2023 Campaign Goal of $3,150,000. Additionally, it sums up the truth at the heart of UWSWA’s mission, vision, and day-to-day operational function. Ours is a mission to improve the community where we live, work, and play! And it takes many heads, hands, and hearts to make this happen.

The Official 2023 Campaign Launch took place during UWSWA’s Annual Meeting. This meeting was of particular significance to our team in that it was the first in-person Campaign Launch to happen since 2019.

“United We Succeed.”

During this year’s Annual Meeting, over 400 individuals gathered over lunch to learn about two of UWSWA’s Educational Programs: the Basics of Southwest Alabama (The Basics), and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Each of these programs places a focus on Early Childhood Development and Education. An image stuck out to me while hearing both our Special Presenter, Dr. Jan Hume (Acting Secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education), and our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Ron Ferguson (the founder and president of The Basics). That is the image of a parent/caregiver reading a book to a curious child, an imagined landscape arising as the words are read. As our speakers highlighted, education starts on day one and when you give children the tools they need, you open up new worlds and endless possibilities for next generation!

This is what we aim to do at the United Way of Southwest Alabama – improve health, expand educational opportunities, grow financial capacity, and provide access to basic essentials. We improve the community together, one person at a time!

“United We Succeed.” And we hope you’ll be a part of the journey in 2023!

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Lauren Luckie-Merz
lluckie@uwswa.org
251.219.3443