Kim McFarlene (middle) stands with Greg Gilbert (left) and Joe Corley (right) from Winco.
"Let's get fired up," Kim McFarlane says to motivate her team of ten at the start of each workday. Kim has worked fulltime at Winco's assembly department for over six months and has demonstrated initiative and leadership in her role. Starting with prepping hardware kits, Kim now works on ten variations of component parts. She learns quickly and constantly looks ahead to anticipate needs that will help her and her department be efficient. Although Kim's focused on details and results, she is most proud to be part of a team at Winco. You'll often see her high-fiving her teammates to keep the energy up. Read more about Kim's story
29 local non-profits submitted
37 program funding requests to United Way of Marion County for totaling
$2,214,901.
Funding decisions will be announced in late June.
Youth United Way Applications Available
United Way of Marion County is accepting applications from high school students who are interested in participating in the Youth United Way program. Youth United Way provides a forum for local youth to develop leadership skills and demonstrate the importance of youth civic involvement as a key component of community change. Applicants need to be entering their junior or senior year of high school in the fall of 2016 and have a grade point average of 2.5 or above to apply. Applications are available at local high schools or can be downloaded here. Application deadline is Thursday, March 31, 2016.Click here for an application.
Women of Worth Lip Sync Fundraiser
United Way of Marion County's Women's Leadership Council, "Women of Worth," will host a lip sync challenge fundraiser on Friday, April 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Reilly Arts Center located at 500 NE 9th St, Ocala.
The event presented by Jenkins Auto Group will feature three local headliners, Kevin Sheilley from the Ocala/Marion County CEP, Rondo Fernandez from the Mojo Grill, and April Savarese from Gateway Bank. The three will face off in a lip sync challenge and judges as well as the audience will vote for the top winner. Opening acts will also feature teams from Publix, local firefighters and others.
All proceeds will benefit the ReadingPals program that provides mentors for at risk kindergarten students to help them with their reading skills.
Tickets are $20 for general admission, $50 for VIP tickets that include preferred seating, hors d'oeuvres and drinks. the VIP Party is sponsored by Signature Brands. Tickets can be purchased at United Way, 1401 NE 2nd Street or at
www.uwmc.org through PayPal. You may also reserve your ticket with a credit card by calling 352-732-9696.
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.
PLAY!
CenturyLink will host a four-person Best Ball Scramble format golf tournament on Saturday, April 16, 2016. All proceeds from the event will be donated to United Way of Marion County.
The tournament will be held at Stone Creek Golf Club located at 9676 SW 62nd Loop, Ocala, beginning at 8:00 a.m (Tee Off is at 8:30am). The cost is $300 per team. ($75 per golfer). Entry deadline is April 8.
Entry fee includes golf, cart, lunch and grab bags. Prizes will be awarded for longest drive and closest to the pin. Sponsorships are available as well as hole sponsorships for $125 per hole.
For more information on sponsorship or registration, call Patty Schiefer at 875-6674. Registration Form
St. Paddy's Day 5K
The 6th Annual Youth United Way St. Paddy's Day 5K was a great success with nearly 500 registered participants coming out on a humid morning, with no rain in sight as the group took off through the historic district. Thanks to the volunteers and
sponsors that helped make the event a success!
More than 1,200 tax returns have been completed so far for Marion County residents thanks to United Way's FREE income tax preparation service VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). To make your appointment call 2-1-1. All volunteers providing tax assistance are trained and certified by the Internal Revenue Service.
United Way is starting to recruit ReadingPals for the 2016-2017 school year. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for 30 minutes once or twice a week, please call Jan Hathaway at 352-732-9696 or jhathaway@uwmc.org
United Way celebrated success with the community at the annual Campaign Thank You event hosted by Jenkins Hyundai earlier this month. Brad Rogers, 2015 Campaign Chair announced that $1,875,000 million was raised during the 2015 campaign, which is a 2 percent increase over the previous year and the first increase in seven years. More than 86,000 residents in Marion County will be served due to the amount raised.