Serving our CommUNITY!
By David Triana
United for a Good Cause Inc. finished a hugely successful year with the 20th Anniversary of the Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Fiesta on 22 December followed by their 12th Annual Santa’s 4-County Sleigh Ride on 24 December.
These two charity signature events have become hugely popular and were a huge success again this year by serving over 1,500 children and families from throughout the region.
The leadership of United for a Good Cause Inc. thanks all the sponsors and supporters (see logos) that also included Integrity Chiropractic, Vilma Bawkin, Sabor a Mexico, Culver’s and GS Gelato.
The children and families had a wonderful time enjoying the musical entertainment, dance contests for brand new bikes. A huge thanks to Toys for Tots of the Emerald Coast for donating more than 700 toys towards the Fiesta.
The organization’s primary objective of “Uniting the CommUNITY…for the Children!” was once again met via the participation of 15 partner agencies via activity tables for the children to enjoy and the large number of military and civilian community volunteers, and entertainers from throughout the region.
During the Santa Run, organization volunteers ensured that the families that could not attend the Fiesta, or those that called late, were still able to be served as toys were delivered to various homes as far away as Crestview, Milton, and Pensacola.
The organization was also able to support a charity organization in Mobile with a donation of toys given away during their event of 5 January and also donated toys and bikes to a local church to help them serve the needy families via one of their outreach ministries.
During the year, the organization also co-organized a hugely successful Youth Leadership Summit and supported activities to benefit the English Language Learner (ELL) students and families in the Okaloosa County School District. As part of the support to the ELL program, the organization sponsored the visit of author Juanita Gandara, who spoke to three local area schools about bullying and to the Hispanic ELL students and parents.
The organization looks forward to 2025 with a primary objective of continuing to partner with other organizations that support the region’s youth.
For more information on the organization or to volunteer, go to: unitedforagoodcause.org
