05.21.2024

Today’s Forecast

91º | 15% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:34 a.m. | Sunset 8:14 p.m.

🥂 Cheers to 80 years

United Way of Central Florida: Celebrating 80 years of strengthening communities

United Way of Central Florida volunteers pose in lime green t-shirts in a gymnasium.

More than 100 volunteers serve with UWCF across its programs each year. | Photo courtesy of @uwcf

United Way of Central Florida — you’ve likely seen and heard its name before, but how much do you know about what it actually does? As the organization gets ready to celebrate its 80th year, we took a deep dive into all that it does to improve the lives of others across Lakeland and beyond. Spoiler alert: It does quite a bit.

The origin story

In 1944, United Way of Central Florida (UWCF) was established to serve the greater Lakeland area by putting money back into the community through partner agencies. In 1980, the organization merged with the Bartow + Winter Haven chapters to officially become UWCF.

Today, it covers the largest geographical area of any United Way in Florida by serving Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties through its 70+ partner agencies (think: Camp Fire Sunshine, VISTE, and Salvation Army).

Carol Jenkins Barnett poses with kindergartners for United Way of Central Florida's ReadingPals program. — Legendary Lakelanders Carol and Barney Barnett founded ReadingPals in 2012 as a statewide early learning initiative to help improve literacy.
|
Photo courtesy of @uwcf

How it serves

UWCF aims to improve the lives of community members by providing support for basic needs like health, education, financial stability, and disaster recovery.

Each year, more than 100 UWCF volunteers, known as Community Investment Teams, evaluate how funds should be allocated so that the greatest needs are always being supported. For the last several years, education has been a core focus, with more than 50% of the organization’s funds going towards that pillar.

A woman and man pose in front of a thermometer fundraising sign for United Way and Publix. — Publix has been a key donor for UWCF as far back as the 1990s.
|
Photo courtesy of @uwcf

These funds are primarily generated through donations from various corporate + private partners. “Polk County is one of the most philanthropic communities in the country,” said Katherine Fitzwater, UWCF’s VP of Marketing and Communications. “There’s so much passion from our partner agencies and volunteers.”

Fun fact: Publix Super Markets is not only the largest donor to UWCF, but is the largest donor to United Way Worldwide, surpassing global companies like UPS and Walmart with its giving.

What's next + how to get involved

Asked

Around how much money does United Way of Central Florida raise every year?

A. $2 million
B. $5 million
C. $9 million
D. $11 million

Cash in your guess

Events

Tuesday, May 21

Rug Tufting Workshop | Tuesday, May 21 | 5:30 p.m. | ART/ifact Studios, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., Ste. 201, Lakeland | $80-$100 | Create your own original rug under the guidance of experts from Wolf in the Workshop.
How Computers + Smart Phone Screens Can Impact Our Eyes | Tuesday, May 21 | 6 p.m. | Watson Clinic Main Library, 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn how to protect your eyes from damage caused by computer and smart phone screens from optometry specialist Dr. Elizabeth George.
The Lakeland Stamp Club | Tuesday, May 21 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Peggy Brown Building, 215 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | Free | Share your interest in stamp collecting at this casual gathering.

Wednesday, May 22

Yoga for Beginners | Wednesday, May 22 | 10-11 a.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Bring your mat to this class for all levels of yogis 16 or older.
Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, May 22 | 5-11:45 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Hit the dance floor to learn new moves at 5 p.m., then take the stage for karaoke at 8 p.m.

Thursday, May 23

Ballet Class | Thursday, May 23 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free | Kids ages 5-17 will learn basic ballet skills, terminology + more in a supportive, supervised environment.
United Way of Central Florida Annual Celebration | Thursday, May 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Polk Theatre, 121 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $80 | Celebrate United Way’s 80th anniversary with a special reception + presentation.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

LAL is developing a large aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul facility and a medevac helicopter facility off Drane Field Road. Attend the public meeting Tuesday, June 25, 4-7 p.m at the airport to learn more about the project — public comments will be accepted until Tuesday, July 9.

Open

Holloway Park is now open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. The City of Lakeland’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts department recently took over maintaining the 379-acre park after it was donated by the Holloway Park Foundation in April.

Number

125. That’s how many deputies Polk County Sheriff’s Office is looking to add to its workforce over the next five years. Sheriff Grady Judd cited the significant population growth across the county + the need for more deputies in schools as reasons for the additions. (The Ledger)

Biz

They say everything’s bigger in Texas. Winter Haven financial institution SouthState Bank has announced it will expand into Texas upon acquiring Independent Bank Group for $2 billion early next year. Upon closing, the two banks will have $65 billion in total assets. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Coming Soon

A new indoor play area is coming to South Florida Avenue. Opening June 28, Kid Cafe will be geared towards children up to eight years old and will include soft play equipment, kid-friendly vending machines, and more. Admission will be $10 for one child + one supervising adult.

Community

Bus driver, move that bus. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is now casting families in Lakeland + surrounding areas for its next season. If you or someone you know would benefit from a new home, submit an application.

Eat

Today is Tasty Tuesday in downtown Lakeland. Kick off the celebration early with a pop-up by Our Noire Kitchen’s new food truck from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Catapult. Today’s menu features old + new favorites like the chuck roast poutine, orange chili cauliflower bowl, and lavender lemonade.

Kids

Florida Air Museum’s new aviation-themed playground will open to the public this June. A grand opening date is TBD, but kids can look forward to features like shaded swings, spring riders, an atom spinner, and STEM-based play activities incorporated into the structure.

Arts

Explore the nuances of growing, getting older, and nostalgia through poetry in a women’s studies workshop series next month, hosted by Orange Blossom Poems. Both full + go-at-your-own-pace options are available — save your spot.

Try This

Need something to do this weekend? Consider strolling through Lakeside Village and checking out its three newest businesses. We recently stopped by and had a blast — from finding some new shoes to pampering out pets to eating until we just couldn’t anymore. See where we went + what we loved most.*

Home

Did you know the cost of solar has dropped 50% in the last 10 years? While the math works in your favor, we know going solar is still a big decision. That’s why Freedom Solar Power answered your reader-submitted questions. See their answers about costs, savings, hurricanes, home value + more.*

Job

Hey, LAL nurses: Looking for a place to grow, explore, and have fun while living out your passion? Lakeland Regional Health is hiring. Get to know their growing + supportive nursing community — and the benefits of growing your career LRH.*

Edu

One of the most important discoveries of your college experience is finding your path into the future and evolving in your knowledge of yourself and your goals. At SEU, they call it finding your Divine Design. See what that means + why it matters.*

Try This

☔ Don’t let the rain get you down

The best way to spend a rainy day in Lakeland

Lightning in dark cloudy sky over trees and streetlights on a rainy day in Lakeland, FL

Storm season is on the horizon. | Photo by @skymaro_009

Get your rainboots ready, because West Central Florida’s Thunderstorm Season begins this Saturday, May 25 + runs through Oct. 10. Thankfully, you don’t have to stay inside when rainy days come. Keep exploring Lakeland with these indoor activities.

Stroll through a museum

See the latest exhibit at the Polk Museum of Art, bring the kids to the Florida Children’s Museum, or let your curiosity take flight at the Florida Air Museum.

Play it out

Parents and caregivers can kick up their heels while little ones can get their energy out at indoor gyms and play-spaces like Little Lake Play, Sky Zone, and Urban Air Adventure Park.

Lace up your skates

Visit Skate World for a day of roller skating, or work on your figure skating at the Lakeland Ice Arena. Pro tip: If you’re not an Olympic-level skater, both businesses also offer lessons.

Splash this way for more rainy day fun

The Buy

Pet accessories. Have the prettiest pooch at the park with these themed prints for summer thanks to Covey Collection.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Amelia

From the editor

Yesterday, we asked when Cheddar Bay Biscuits hit Red Lobster’s menu and you all know your dough. The answer was 1992, which 46% of respondents guessed. While we mourn the chain officially filing for bankruptcy, let’s reminisce on its Lakeland roots.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY