Gay and Fritz Blaicher with Sue White PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

The United Way of Indian River County feted its Alexis de Tocqueville and Leadership Society members during a cocktail reception hosted by Northern Trust.

“We’re here to celebrate all of you de Tocqueville Society members and show gratitude for the incredible giving spirit that’s impacted and improved so many lives in this community,” said Matthew Rundels, Northern Trust senior vice president and managing director.

The worldwide de Tocqueville Society, established in 1984, is named for the French historian and author Alexis de Tocqueville, who, after studying American society in 1831, praised the nation for its sense of volunteerism and spirit of giving.

Locally, the society began with three donors, which accounted for 3 percent of the United Way’s campaign, explained Jessica Schmitt, UW director of philanthropy.

“Last year, de Tocqueville Society counted 74 donors and provided 40 percent of the funding for the annual campaign. This growth is due to the generosity of this community and the power of passionate donors sharing their commitment with their friends and neighbors,” said Schmitt.

She thanked de Tocqueville chairs Fritz and Gay Blaicher for their tireless efforts toward growing this “vital group of donors.” Fritz Blaicher wore a green jacket to honor Publix, the single largest contributor to the United Way, whose combined employee and corporate gifts average between $450,000 and $500,000.

“You are changing lives and making Indian River County a healthier place to live. Where families can become financially stable, and children can have access to quality education.

Your investment ensures everyone can thrive,” said Schmitt.

“I am deeply grateful for your engagement in our efforts to address the most urgent challenges facing our community today,” said Meredith Egan, UW CEO. “It reflects United Way’s belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, has a responsibility to act and that we all do better when we work together.”

She said that despite the unimagined challenges of the past few years, the power of their work has never been stronger.

“Faced with a once-in-a-generation challenge, we have stepped up with your help. Because of you, United Way is supporting 45 vital programs and 36 partner agencies that focus on the education, financial stability, and health of the individuals and families across our community,” said Egan.

The most recent ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report on April 26, 2023, showed that 45 percent of the households in Indian River County struggle to pay for basic needs. Egan said they have seen a 30 percent increase in funding requests in education alone.

“No matter what lies ahead, our commitment to the health, education and financial stability of every person in this community will reign. We are uniquely positioned to spring to action and create solutions,” said Egan.

She stressed that organizations need to “communicate, collaborate and share the struggles” to overcome identified barriers, and that strategic partnerships can be forged to build sustainable and viable solutions.

“We are changing the way we work and leading the co-development of holistic solutions to solve the complex problems facing our community,” said Egan.

An example is the Access to Justice Initiative, cooperatively launched by the United Way, John’s Island Community Service League, John’s Island Foundation, Indian River County Clerk of the Court and the Court Administration, to support legal services.

Judge Cynthia Cox spoke about the impact that initiative will have on people who find themselves lost in the judicial system.

Another program, the Mental Health Court, has already saved taxpayers millions of dollars in bed recidivism and reincarceration costs.

“It’s very expensive for us as taxpayers to have these people that really haven’t done anything wrong, other than be mentally ill, sit in jail for months at a time,” said Cox, noting that medications alone for a mentally ill incarcerated individual can cost $125 a day.

She said their Mental Health Court program includes housing, job placement, medication, transportation and benefits, all monitored by case managers, so that those with mental health issues can leave jail and enter society with a support system in place.

For more information, visit UnitedWayIRC.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis