Welcome to our Special Edition E-Newsletter, devoted to a topic we can all agree deserves our attention - our children and their future. 

In the midst of a divisive election season, we know that children have the power to unite us. Regardless of who you vote for, what you believe in, or who you root for on the football field, we know children hold the keys to our shared futures and dreams.

On November 9th, the day after the election, United Way of North Central Florida is hosting its Sixth Annual Women United Holiday Luncheon with special guest, author Stacey Bess. Bess spent 11 years teaching homeless children at "The School with No Name" in Utah. In that time, she discovered she could reach children with no homes and little hope by teaching and modeling love, self-worth, personal power and courage. Bess' experiences inspired her to pen the memoir Nobody Don't Love Nobody, a book that was later adapted into the 2011 Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Beyond the Blackboard, starring Emily VanCamp. Attendees will not only be inspired by Bess' powerful message, but will have the opportunity to shop early for Christmas with some of the community's most treasured local vendors. All ticket proceeds and 20% of vendor sales will be donated to ReadingPals, our in-house literacy program aimed at improving the reading scores of second- and third-graders in Alachua Public Schools.

So, come replenish yourself this election season by sharing in a powerful message about love, hope and courage. Then, get in the holiday spirit with friends. Get your tickets now by visiting www.wuholidayluncheon.eventbrite.com and help us to #LiveUnited.

Deborah V. Bowie, CCE, IOM