Business, government, nonprofit and community representatives came together for the annual United Way of Indian River County Community Leaders’ Breakfast at the Celebration Grove reception hall, to celebrate the power of community resiliency in action.
Katie Nall, UWIRC board chair, introduced keynote speaker Marcus Coleman Jr. Currently vice president of Community Resilience Strategy for United Way Worldwide, he previously worked with FEMA, assisting with responses to more than 50 disasters.
“What makes our speaker’s work so impactful is not just his deep expertise, but his belief in the power of people; people just like you, our neighbors, our volunteers, community organizations, all working side by side to support one another to build strength and resilience,” said Nall.
Calling our community one of light and hope, Coleman said that he had been impressed by this United Way’s commitment to saying yes to being good neighbors, good partners, to its good ways of doing things, to challenging the status quo, and to breaking down the walls of division that can keep people separated.
“I think it’s an inflection point of what we need, not just for this county, but the state, and what we need for our nation,” said Coleman.
He said true community leaders are resilient enough to mobilize and move forward through collaboration, coordination, communication and cooperation.
“We’re only going to get there by making sure that we continue to actively listen to each other, take the opportunities not to say no, but to make the effort to say yes, and then continue to find ways to connect with one another, again, in unique circumstances,” said Coleman.
“It’s rooms like this that give me the greatest hope that we will, in fact, continue to learn from each other, becoming a more perfect union and continue to be the beacon of light for the world.”
Meredith Egan, UWIRC CEO, said that the United Way is the type of organization that runs in the background, ready to assist when a crisis arises, as it did in spectacular fashion when the Hurricane Milton tornadoes caused such destruction last October.
“When infrastructure is already in place, when relationships are already built, when systems are already tested, communities don’t just survive disaster, we respond with extraordinary speed and precision,” said Egan.
“Our partnerships with local government, our network of 36 partner agencies, was all already in place. And when the community needed everyone the most, we all rose to that challenge,” said Egan.
“Hurricane Milton didn’t just test our disaster response; it proved our model. We do not consider ourselves disaster responders. What you witnessed is simply our daily work amplified on a very large scale. We’ve a coordination of partnerships with a rapid response. That’s United Way. Every day, standing with families through life’s storms, not just big disasters,” said Egan.
The United Way invests $1.5 million annually in partner programs that support a wide range of social services that help nearly one in four local residents.
“We’re the force that brings the whole community together to solve problems that are too big for any one organization. Together, we’re not just weathering the storms, we’re building the resilience to thrive in the face of them,” said Egan.
A highlight of the breakfast is always the Richardson Spirit of Indian River County Awards, presented to individuals, funded partners and workplace partners who go above and beyond to inspire and create impact through volunteerism and philanthropy.
Egan presented the Workplace Partner Award to the law firm of Rossway, Swan, Tierney, Barry & Oliver, a 23-year supporter of United Way, whose attorneys stepped up to pilot the groundbreaking Access to Justice initiative.
Board member Karen Toole presented the next Community Business Award in absentia to Chef Michael Glatz, owner of Coffee House 1420 for his numerous services to the United Way and to the community.
The Richardson Funded Partner Award was presented to the Salvation Army, for their unwavering dedication to the community and their ability to adapt their services to its ever-changing needs.
Board member David Bell presented the Special Recognition Award to Nicole Colon, a Publix employee who consistently steps up to support the mission of the United Way and is “a shining example of what it means to give back.”
The prestigious Ralph T. King Award was presented to Jeff Schlitt, known for his legacy of philanthropy, volunteerism and business leadership. A driving force at United Way for more than two decades, he served as board chair during the pandemic providing transformational guidance during those uncertain times.
For more information, visit UnitedWayIRC.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
