Leaders in the business, government, non-profit and community sectors packed the house last Wednesday for the annual United Way of Indian River County Community Leaders Breakfast and Spirit of Indian River County Awards Program, sponsored by Seacoast National Bank and held at the Oak Harbor Club.
“We are changing lives in this community through what we call community impact work,” said UWIRC CEO Michael Kint. He reminded attendees of a previous announcement that their intent was to focus on education, financial stability and health. Work was initiated last year on the educational front to adopt obtainable improvement goals by 2019. The focus this year is on financial stability and identifying specific pathways to improve lives.
“You all are invested in this community,” said Kint. “Living United means understanding that when any part of this community is struggling financially, it affects the prosperity of all. We are a community of committed individuals united and working together for the benefit of all.”
Meredith Egan, newly named UWIRC COO, introduced keynote speaker Lars Gilberts, Statewide ALICE Director, who spoke of the challenges facing today’s working poor, aka ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).
“If you’re not able to provide your family’s basic needs, you’re not independent; and there’s a cost to you, there’s a cost to the community, there’s a cost to society,” said Gilberts.
He pointed out that the United Way ALICE report, compiled by Rutgers University, indicates 14 percent of households in Indian River County live below the outdated Federal poverty level. Additionally, due to low wages, another 30 percent live below the actual basic survival budget needed for housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, taxes and miscellaneous expenses.
“These are the real challenges that people are facing,” said Gilberts, stressing that the issues affect businesses and the entire community.
Before United Way Board Chairman Randy Riley and Board Chair-Elect, Fellsmere Mayor Susan Adams, presented the annual Spirit of Indian River County Awards; the pair surprised Kint with a Special Recognition Award in honor of his 20 years of employment with UWIRC.
“This is a community effort. It doesn’t happen without all of us,” said Kint.
The Richardson Award for Excellence in Community Contributions was presented to Wilmington Trust; the Richardson Award for Excellence in Volunteerism was presented to Brown & Brown Insurance; and Marine Bank & Trust was honored with the Richardson Award for Excellence in a Company-wide Employee Giving Campaign.
The Spirit of Indian River County Overall Excellence Award for a company under 50 employees was dually awarded to Rossway Swan Tierney Barry Lacey & Oliver, P.L, and the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections. The Spirt Award for a company employing 51 or more was presented to the Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court. A Special Recognition Community Service Award was presented to Elliott Merrill Community Management.
The Agency Excellence Award and a check for $2,500 was presented to Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Ralph T. King Award, recognizing the long-term commitment and outstanding achievement by a United Way volunteer, was presented to Michael Kmetz.
“My past service to the United Way, and other local organizations, would not have been possible without the love and support of my wife, Brenda. I wish she was here this morning to share this award with me,” said Kmetz, who celebrated his 31st wedding anniversary the night before.
Riley also introduced the United Way of Indian River County 2015-2016 Annual Campaign Co-Chairs, referred to as the “Sensational Seven” – Kerry Bartlett, Susan Chenault, Janie Graves Hoover, Katie Kirk, Leah Muller, Lenora Ritchie and Sue Tompkins.
