United Way of Marion County is proud to celebrate 50 years in Marion County. We are looking at the celebration as not only recognizing the accomplishments of the past 50 years but also seeing it as a step on the journey into the next 50 years and more.
Here are the projects our 50th Anniversary Committee, headed by retired United Way President Toni James, have planned:
- Wall of Honor - Collecting photos of all the past presidents/board chairs to be displayed in the Bonnie Heath Community Room at United Way headquarters.
- A Local Artist Competition inviting creations of what United Way means to the local artists. The winner's art will be auctioned off.
- Creation of a Girl Scout Badge of the 50th Anniversary.
- Proclamations from local public bodies in recognition of the anniversary.
- Publication of three full page ads in the Ocala Star-Banner that feature facts and success stories
- A "community visioning session" in the spring of 2012 engaging 100+ community leaders in a an exploration of what the future holds for Marion County and the United Way's role in it.
- A Celebration Evening on Thursday, December 1st, at the Ocala Hilton, where guests will make progressive visits through the decades, ending in the ballroom recognizing past leaders.
50 Milestone Highlights from our United Way:
1961 United Appeal (as it was called back then) raised $82,822 and funded 10 agencies (2 of which are partners today) Salvation Army and ARC Marion
1962 Jiminy Cricket was the mascot for the United Appeal as “your official conscience” to give. “Give to United Appeal” “Give your fair share.”
1963 United Appeal’s goal was $86,000—5% of population gave --- population was 56,000. Mrs. RG MacKay served as chairman of the women’s committee soliciting residential special gifts.
1964 Ocala Junior Women’s Club conducts a “Porchlight Campaign” to raise money for United Appeal.
1965 United Appeal’s goal was $110,000 Raised $100,000. This was the first year not to reach goal United Appeal hits the $100,000 mark
1966 United Appeal funded the Marion County Heart Association (Unfortunately, the Heart state association rejects money raised from local United Appeals)
1967 United Appeal goal was $130,000 Raised $113,000 Campaign theme: Good Guys Give. The Campaign starts with a “Fair on the Square” event
1969 Miss United Appeal was created and crowned Miss Janice Schmid from Weirsdale the first recipient
1972 United Appeal changes its name to United Way of Marion County
1973 United Way goal was $172,089 Raised $180,173 Slogan was “Thanks to you it’s working in Marion County.”
1974 400 small businesses plan was conducted for businesses with 15 or fewer employees
1977 Long time funded partner Bible-In-the-schools agency becomes a contentious topic in the community for United Way.
1979 United Way goal was $270,000-- Raised $287,192-- Bonnie Heath suggests fundraiser where stud fees from horse farm owners gets donated to UW. First Stallion Sweepstakes raises $34,200
1980 United Way kicked off the annual drive at the Paddock mall with a day-long expo
1981 United Way gets its biggest gift of $10,000 from Mid-State Federal Savings and Loan
1982 President Regan signed an executive order that would greatly expand the role of United Way of America in distributing money raised from the Combined Federal Campaign.
1983 Students at Vanguard and Forest High Schools help solicit small business gifts. 100 volunteers from a variety of service clubs participated raising $14,318
1984 The Eclipse Club for donors giving $500 or more was created it included 52 donors
· Needles, Florida’s first Kentucky Derby winner, dies in his sleep
1986 25th anniversary is celebrated and the Campaign Theme is “Spread the Magic”
· United Way wins 4th in Christmas parade
1987 Broke the million dollar mark; Bus tour of United Way agencies is given to community residents “special” Centennial tour; Campaign theme: Get on Board the United Way express
1988 United Way’s Information and Referral service First Call for Help started
1989 United Way received largest single gift ever: $50,000—it was placed in the Endowment Fund
· Bonnie Heath and Jack Dudley were inducted into the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.
1990 Pacesetter Campaigns are re-introduced raising $402,706 dollars prior to the official kick-off
1991 Donor Choice was added to include any qualified health and human service agency serving Marion County
1992 United Way of America Bill Aramony scandal rocked the United Way world
1993 Tocqueville Giving Society was established ($10,000+ gift) with a gift from Live Oak Stud
1994 Day of Caring Volunteer Day began attracted 600+ volunteers doing projects at 60 agencies
1995 New ICEU (Immediate, Crisis, Emergency, Urgent) priorities were funded
1997 United Way goal was $1,700,000 Raised $1,796,883
· United Way President was --- Diane Barrineau Campaign Chair—Bonnie Stout
1998 Hit the $2 million dollar mark and 10th anniversary in the current building—mortgage was burned
1999 United Way receives two $100,000 gifts from John Sykes
2000 United Way receives a Success By 6 Planning grant ($28,771) from Bank of America Bill Evans is names Success By 6 Champion
2001 First Call for Help is handling 1,300 calls per month
2002 United Way implements tighter safeguards before issuing agency partners money. United Way takes on volunteer services after Big Sun Volunteer Center closes
2003 United Way serves as the fiscal agent for the Marion County Homeless Council
· United Way’s board votes to expand current building: building committee agree to raise $180,000 for addition
2004 2-1-1 goes live in Marion County due to the four hurricanes that hit Florida and Marion County (especially Hurricane Frances and Jeanne)
· Completed building renovation (dedication held in Jan. 2005)
· Women’s Leadership Council—Women of Worth (WoW) was formed
2005 Success By 6 is moved to the Early Learning Coalition
2006 United Way’s Endowment Fund reaches 1 million and is able to distribute funds based on earnings to two organizations.
· Toni James retires from United Way after 30 years of service
2007 Campaign Kick-off featured the winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” Josh Blue
· 2-1-1 goes back to First Call For Help
2008 United Way creates “Youth United Way” program focused around high school students
2009 United Way promotes financial stability including: the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), filing taxes for free and offering budget workshops for FREE
2010 United Way files 800+ tax returns bringing $1.2 million into Marion County
· United Way of Marion County partners with Heart of Florida United Way to bring 2-1-1 back
· Opal Heath (Bonnie’s wife) passes away
· United Way transitions to focus on Education, Income and Health
