United Way Emerald Coast

06/17/2026

📣 United for Impact: A Non-Profit Conference Speaker Submissions Are Open!

We are seeking seasoned non-profit leaders, consultants, and changemakers with fresh insights to share with non-profit professionals from across the Emerald Coast.

Have someone in mind? Or maybe it's you! Apply to be a speaker today and help equip, inspire, and strengthen the non-profit sector.🔗 united-way.org/npc

06/17/2026

🍽️ Last week, Retired United members and community guests gathered at the Fort Walton Beach Activity Center for a Retire United Lunch & Learn focused on fraud prevention and scam awareness.

A big thank you to United Fidelity Bank Emerald Coast for sharing valuable tips and resources to help seniors stay informed and protected. 🛡️ We also appreciate the Fort Walton Beach Activity Center for hosting us and everyone who attended—especially the many new faces we were excited to welcome! 😊

06/16/2026

🚩 If you've ever sat through a meeting that could've been an email, this one's for you.

Join NextGen United's June Sip & Serve as Chris Hiestand, Vice President of Operations at Okaloosa Gas District, leads a conversation on workplace toxicity, healthy workplace culture, and what it takes to build teams that actually enjoy working together.

Come for the networking. Stay for the leadership insights. Leave with practical tools you can use whether you're managing a team, serving on a board, or just trying to survive group projects at work. 😉

🗓 Wednesday, June 24
⏰ 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
📍 Okaloosa Gas District | 511 Government Ave., Valparaiso
🔗 Register at united-way.org/sip&serve

06/16/2026

📣 Retired United members and friends: Join us for this month's Thinking Ahead Thursday workshop to learn the facts about reverse mortgages (HECMs), separate myth from reality, and gain valuable information for future planning.

📅 Thursday June 18 | ⏰ 10–11 AM
📍 Crestview Senior Center

⬇️ See more details in the post below.

🤔 Reverse Mortgages…

Just hearing those words usually brings strong opinions.

💰 Some people think they’re a financial lifeline.
👎 Some think they’re a terrible idea.
🤷🏼‍♀️ Many aren’t sure what to believe.

The truth?

Most people have never been taught how today’s Reverse Mortgages (HECMs) actually work.

That’s exactly why we’re discussing them at this month’s Thinking Ahead Thursday workshop. This is a very important topic and you never know when you might come face to face with a Reverse Mortgage in the future, whether it be with a family member or for yourself! You need to understand them better before such a time comes.

We’ll cover:
✅ What a HECM really is
✅ Common myths and misconceptions
✅ Potential benefits and drawbacks
✅ Situations where it may—or may not—make sense

Even if you’ve already decided a reverse mortgage isn’t for you, you may be surprised by how much has changed over the years.

📅 Thursday
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Crestview Senior Center
205 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview

As always, this workshop is completely FREE, educational, and open to the community.

No sales pitch.
No pressure.
Just good information to help you make informed decisions.

Come with curiosity. Leave with clarity.

Questions? Call or text me at 850-699-6384.

06/16/2026

Hey ladies... got plans this evening? 🩷

Join us for a Women United Social and meet Chair Kayra Donahoo and Vice Chair Angela Deitch!

We'll be networking, catching up, making new connections, and assembling Crisis Kits for local school counselors. Whether you're already a member or just interested in learning more, we'd love for you to join us.

📅 June 16 | 5–7 PM
📍 Origin Bank | Fort Walton Beach
✨ Register at united-way.org/wusocialchairs

06/15/2026

📚 A $50 monthly gift provides 25 children access to quality afterschool programming.

For ALICE families, affordable childcare and safe afterschool care can make all the difference. These programs help children continue learning, build confidence, and stay in safe, supportive environments while parents work hard to provide for their families.

United Way Emerald Coast invests in local non-profit partners helping children and families build brighter futures right here on the Emerald Coast. ✨

➡️ Help support local children and families at www.united-way.org/donate

06/15/2026

Have you met our Women United Chairs yet? 🩷

Now's your chance!

Join us for a relaxed evening with Women United Chair Kayra Donahoo and Vice Chair Angela Deitch. You'll make new connections, learn more about Women United, and help assemble Crisis Kits for local school counselors.

Come see what Women United is all about. We'd love to meet you!

📅 June 16 | 5–7 PM
📍 Origin Bank | Fort Walton Beach

Register today: united-way.org/wusocialchairs

06/14/2026

On Flag Day, we honor the Stars and Stripes and all those who have served and sacrificed under it.

Across the Emerald Coast, our community is strengthened by active-duty military members, veterans, military families, and community leaders who dedicate themselves to serving others. Today, we recognize their contributions and reflect on the values of service, unity, and resilience that the American flag represents.

Through Mission United and partnerships with organizations like Forever Warriors and Step One Automotive Group, Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Florida Power & Light we are proud to support local veterans, active-duty military members, and military families by helping connect them to resources, emergency assistance, and community support.

🤝 Need assistance? Contact your First Sergeant (Shirt) to learn about eligibility and availability for Mission United's Emergency Fund.

☎️ Looking for resources? Call 211 Northwest Florida (Option 5 for Veterans) or the Florida Veterans Support Line at 1-844-MYFLVET (693-5838) for free, confidential support available 24/7.

06/13/2026

🏋️‍♀️👮‍♀️ Protecting parade-goers and getting their steps in at the same time? Sounds like a successful evening to us. 😄

UWEC's Impact Team recently spent time supporting HarborWalk Village's Harbor Days: Harbor Street Parade Edition, helping with crowd control and safety efforts along the parade route.

From making sure spectators stayed behind designated safety lines to helping keep the event running smoothly, they helped create a fun and safe experience for everyone in attendance.

Whether connecting people to resources, supporting local partners, or lending a hand at community events, our team is always ready to step up when needed. United is the Way! 💙

06/12/2026

Hey ladies... have you met our Women United Chairs? 👋🩷

If not, now's your chance! And if you have, come hang out with us anyway. 😉

Join us for a fun evening of networking, community, and service as we meet Women United Chair Kayra Donahoo and Vice Chair Angela Deitch and assemble Crisis Kits for local school counselors.

Whether you're already a member or just curious about Women United, we'd love to see you there!

📅 June 16 | 5–7 PM
📍 Origin Bank | Fort Walton Beach
✨ Register today: united-way.org/wusocialchairs