by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Flapjacks, a call for action and a little bit of history.
All were taken in Thursday when the United Way of Northeast Florida celebrated its 85th anniversary and launched its 2009 community campaign at Hemming Plaza with a pancake breakfast.
More than 400 participants celebrated Downtown in an event that paid homage to the organization’s long history, as the first community rally was staged at Hemming Plaza in 1924.
“We decided to return to our roots,” said Connie Hodges, president of the local chapter of the worldwide nonprofit.
Officials from the the organization’s Pacesetter companies — those that began their annual contribution campaign early — set up tents and helped serve up breakfast to the crowd, who heard from several speakers on the importance of contribution campaigns in a time when need is greater than ever.
“We’re looking to help hundreds of thousands here,” said Barbara Drake, board of directors chair. “The economy is very tough, but we’ve got to.”
Hodges agreed that the economic condition was rough, but said she’s been pleased with the early response from community and business leaders looking to assist in the campaign.
Last year’s campaign raised $24.8 million through contributions, and while there is no specific target for this year’s campaign, there is one clear goal she’s optimistic will be accomplished.
“We’re going to exceed it (last year’s $24.8 million figure),” she said, smiling.
With the mantra of “Every Gift Counts!,” speakers like Board of Trustees Chair Mike Cascone and past Board and Campaign Chair Pamela Paul espoused what some of the tangible goals would be, such as 74 additional youth receiving mentoring, 244 more families avoiding foreclosure, 416 caregivers receiving parenting workshops and 4,180 more balanced meals for seniors.
The 10 participating Pacesetter companies raised more than $7 million — a tremendous start said many officials — toward a goal that means much to those in need.
“It’s times like these when the road is getting tougher that we must redouble our efforts,” said Cascone.
For more information on the campaign and United Way of Northeast Florida, go to www.liveunitednortheastflorida.org.
356-2466