Guest Commentary | ‘United is the Way:’ Together we can make a difference
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“United is the Way” is the theme for this year’s United Way community-wide movement to raise support for needs right here in Lee County. Like so many businesses in our region, Florida Trust Wealth Management will be part of it because our leadership and employees are a team that believes in giving back, assisting others to make our community a better one.
That’s why we support many nonprofits, including United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades. The work this team does is monumental, helping nonprofits fill the gaps in services needed here. United Way supports more than 90 partner agencies and more than 260 programs throughout the year. United Way under the leadership of Jeannine Joy and dozens of volunteer community board members has stepped up to serve the greatest needs right here, right now. Through strategic planning, the generosity of donors and an efficient funding strategy, it has created a living network for good.
I often say, “if not the United Way, then who?” Who will help on a macro level to look around the corner for changing trends in needs in Southwest Florida, and create a support system? And who will help at the micro level working with individuals one at a time through the nonprofit programs, as well as through the United Way 211 help line (which took over 3,000 calls last month) to connect people who have challenges with viable solutions through its network of nonprofit partner agencies.
In order to do the work, United Way holds an annual campaign that raises money to provide critical funding so its partner agencies can deliver life-changing services. Notably, 96 cents of every dollar goes directly to the highly vetted nonprofit programs. As co-chair of this year’s campaign, along with my longtime friend Will Prather of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, I’m excited to get things started and share even more at the campaign kickoff on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Everyone is invited and it’s going to be especially fun this year.
This year’s campaign goal of $11.5 million is a lofty one, but one focused on continuing to provide human services that are so much in demand. That number grows each campaign year, just as our population here in Southwest Florida has grown over the past several years. Along with that growth comes greater needs for food, housing, healthcare and more.
That’s where United Way’s campaign comes in. The organization relies on individuals and businesses, such as Florida Trust, and so many others to support the annual campaign and provide the dollars necessary to keep the partner agencies operating.
I would like to give a shout out to my coworkers who all give from their paychecks to support the cause. They join a variety of businesses that support employee giving to United Way and other nonprofits with their donations. They also volunteer their time in many ways, from team projects like beach clean-ups and bake sales to serving on nonprofit boards, showing there’s always a way to give back.
In my volunteer role as the annual campaign’s co-chair, I serve as a guide for generous people and businesses who have the resources but can’t identify the needs firsthand. The stories are endless. For example, when a family has the electricity cut off to their apartment, they may learn about 211 and call seeking support to pay the electric bill. They are assigned a case worker who after more conversation realizes the mom cannot work because the family cannot afford childcare. It’s a vicious cycle, so through United Way partnerships with nonprofits, they can find affordable child care to get mom back to work so they can cover their living expenses. The family can be directed to quality food programs and the VITA program that assists with tax returns finding thousands of dollars for filers. Often United Way can help remove the barriers to self-sufficiency. Sometimes it just takes someone to help navigate the road and open a few doors.
We hope you will agree that “United is the Way” and together we can make a difference. Please take the time to participate in United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades’ annual campaign that begins on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Thousands of our neighbors, friends and children rely on your generosity to build a stronger community. You can find out more about taking part in the campaign by visiting unitedwaylee.org/kickoff.
The way to go with your charitable donations this year is united, because “United is the Way.” Florida Trust and United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades appreciate your support of the annual campaign.
Carolyn Rogers, CFRE, is senior vice president and wealth services advisor for Florida Trust Wealth Management. She is also the co-chair for the 2025-2026 United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades annual campaign.