EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine November 2019 | Page 25

new model, transitional or step-down funding was granted to ease
But small companies play major
the blow. United Way raises $2.2 million annually, but the need is roles too. For instance, there is The
much greater than that, said Edgcomb. “The truth is, there’s just not Root Company, and the Root family,
enough to go around.” which has been a presence in the
Currently,
Community Impact Foundation is one part of the Root
funding supports family’s philanthropy, with special
22 programs at 17
agencies. “While this
Volunteers serving through the VITA
(Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program
area for 75 years. The Community
focus on animal welfare and the elderly.
Preston Root
“Everyone in my generation is now
is a smaller number facing very difficult decisions about their parents,” he said. “That
of agencies served is something that touches everyone in our community, said Preston
than in the past,” said Root, chairman of the Community Foundation of Volusia-Flagler, a
Edgcomb, “we are division of United Way.”
providing grants for
The Root Company’s accumulated United Way giving over
programs that are demonstrating outcomes and giving them the the past 25 years has passed the $1 million mark. “We are a small
resources to make a significant impact. organization, yet we remain in the Top 10 givers to United Way, and
Many companies assign Corporate Social Responsibility or
that is a testament
CSR priorities, said Edgcomb. “Our Community Impact model to our employees,”
helps companies see how they can support a specific initiative like said Root. And
mental health services in a variety of ways. For instance, a company to the company,
can pledge to improve mental health indicators throughout the which matches the
community – by partnering with United Way, we will direct their contributions of its
funds to programs with mental health outcomes, recommend workers.
volunteer projects that will allow their teammates to contribute
“There is a
to this change, and educate them on local resources available for strong desire in
mental health.” Essentially, United Way helps companies package our community
their CSR in the most efficient way possible, giving them insight to help those who are less fortunate. In the past, the time-honored
into local resources and services. tradition of giving was a way of life. It was just what everybody
Edgcomb describes United Way as a “one-stop shop,” a place
Publix Volunteers
did.” It still is a way of life, but now, younger people are motivated
that helps people find value and purpose in their lives: both the differently, said Root, noting the value in measuring outcomes and
people being helped–about 3,000 last year–and the estimated 250 working toward long-term positive results, rather than short-term
United Way volunteers. “It is part of everyone’s responsibility as fixes.
community members to make this a better place, and leave it a
better place than we found it,” said Edgcomb.
Another important contributor with a relatively small staff
is Intracoastal Bank. “They are a local bank that is one of the top
supporters of United Way every year,” said Edgcomb. “They not
EVERY GIFT COUNTS
As might be expected, large local companies and their
only support the organization through donations, but also through
their leadership on our United Way Board, leading Generation
employees and customers give big to United Way. Publix Associates IMPACT, and through our Community Foundation. We are
and Publix Charities lead the pack with over $1 million in yearly incredibly thankful to have them as part of the team discussing the
donations, thanks not only to employees, but to shoppers who pitch merits of partnering with United Way in the community.”
in. Brown & Brown Insurance contributes more than $88,000, and
ISC/NASCAR/DIS, more than $86,000.
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