SRQ Magazine | Spirit of Giving - United Way Suncoast

Spirit of Giving Champions Share Their Stories

December 2023 Edition

Philanthropically-minded companies and individuals engage with an incredibly vibrant and diverse ecosystem of nonprofit organizations powering good in Sarasota and Manatee.

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A UNITED WAY SUNCOAST

THE HOLIDAYS REPRESENT A SEASON OF GIVING, A TIME FOR JOY. We get it and we love it, but at United Way Suncoast we strive to extend our giving to 365 days. We elevate early learning and education and empower families through financial stability. We work every day to give people the “Freedom To Rise,” and our mission creates a sense of community, whether it’s for people recovering from a hurricane or folks dealing with life’s daily storms. Since 1924, we’ve taken pride in responding to immediate needs while working to create lasting community impact. We’re particularly focused on our ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families who need support 365 days a year. These are families that stand just one unexpected expense away from dire circumstances. A surprising medical expense, a critical home repair or a car issue can arise on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or any other day. We’re here for our community members every day of the year.

Of course, we recognize the festive nature of the holidays. We designated November as the Month of Gratitude, and dedicated those days to giving thanks to our partners, donors and board members who help amplify the good of our mission. Whether it's All Faiths Food Bank, Children First, Jewish Family & Services of the Suncoast, Dreamers Academy, the Women’s Resource Center or our other partners, we’re grateful for all the organizations who help us create lasting change throughout all of Sarasota County and our five-county region, including DeSoto and Manatee counties. Overall, we infuse education, financial stability and support services to lift up working families long after the holiday decorations have come down and the New Year’s Eve confetti has been swept away. We’re here every day for community members because we know no other approach than to be present. We’re here because for 100 years we’ve known no other way than the United Way: bringing together caring stakeholders to make a difference. We’re here and we’ll continue to be here. That’s why we always say: United We Rise, United We Win.

A single father of three who works two jobs to make ends meet came to United Way Suncoast to take advantage of our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. In the past, he went to a tax preparer in his neighborhood who prepared his taxes for $200, but couldn’t afford it this year. VITA not only offers free tax preparation, but the IRS trains our volunteers. The two volunteers who worked with the father helped him receive a tax return higher than he had received in previous years. When he wondered why he received a higher return, the volunteers reviewed his tax returns from the past two years and discovered the previous preparer didn’t include one of his children as a dependent. The volunteers led amendments to his prior tax returns and helped him claim the additional credits due to him. VITA annually prepares thousands of tax returns, returning between $11 million and $13 million to the region. We’re creating economic impact, and giving community members the “Freedom To Rise.”

United Way Suncoast 4215 Concept Court Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 (941) 748-1313