By David Triana
The year 2018 was a huge success for United for a Good Cause Inc. Founded in 2012 by local Hispanic leaders, the organization has become a leader in the entire region for the great variety of events and charity projects it has created on behalf of the youth of the area. The organization is led by Kelly Hale, Donald Whitney, and Michael Horlacher and supported by long time volunteers and new ones. While it was founded by Hispanics and the leaders are Hispanics primarily, everyone is welcomed to join regardless of race, ethnicity or creed. Additionally, ALL of the organization’s event are open to everyone in the community regardless of race, creed, or ethnicity. For more information on this exemplary 501c3 tax exempt charitable organization, go to www.unitedforagoodcause.org.
We invite everyone to join and be part of what will surely be another greatly successful year!
5TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE:
Here is a recap of the four signature events the organization conducts each year.
22 April 1018: In partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, this conference was again a great success! Close to 30 students from the region attended the conference that included a cadre of energetic local and regional speakers and was kick-started by a wonderful presentation by Jeremiah and Joshua West, the Champions of Change! Jeremiah and Joshua travel the United States and had just been in both Kenya and Los Angeles in the last three weeks before coming to our Conference as the Keynote Speakers. They stayed for the entire event, spoke to kids throughout the day and along with their family, were instrumental, along with the others in the outstanding cadre, the volunteers and the staff of the Boys and Girls Club led by Dawn Novy.in the event being successful. At the end of the event, the kids that attended were able to say what they thought about the Conference. Some quotes “It was an AWESOME activity!”; “I learned that no matter how many obstacles I encounter, I must continue forward with that in which I’m passionate about” among other comments. In speaking to a parent and her kid, she remarked “I’m so glad I was able to bring him, this was a great thing for him!”
U4AGC thanks its sponsors and supporters for being behind this project and a very special thanks to the VIPs that took time out of their busy schedules to attend including FWB Mayor Rynearson, Florida House Representative Mel Ponder, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson representing Gulf Power, Jimmy Lagle of ZT Motors Toyota, Neko Stubblefield of Eglin Federal Credit Union (she was also a speaker), Amanda Negron of the HSU Family Educational Foundation, Dave Parisot, and also Pastor Jonathan Sansom for giving the invocation and for the wonderful things he does for the area’s youth.
HISPANIC FEST 2018:
9 Sep 2018: The fifth anniversary of this event was outstanding. More than 60 vendors, continuous variety entertainment, an awesome art gallery, kids’ activity zone and a dozen food vendors participated. More than 2,000 people attended the Festival and had a great time. A huge thanks to Cox for being the title sponsor and also to all the other sponsors like Step One Automotive Group. Thanks to everyone that participated in one way or another, over $5,000.00 was raised towards the 14thAnnual Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Children’s Fiesta which is the event that Hispanic Fest raises funds towards each year.
14thANNUAL EMERALD COAST CHRISTMAS MIRACLE CHILDREN’S FIESTA
16 December 2018: Held at the Santa Rosa Mall for the first time, the 2018 Fiesta hosted several hundred needy kids and their families, including special needs families. More than 1,000 toys and over 30 bikes were part of the items that brought great joy to young and old. It was a spectacular event with great entertainment, food and activity stations provided by the Early Learning Coalition, Biker’s Against Drunk Driving, Autism Spectrum of the Emerald Coast, Shelter House, Special Olympics of Okaloosa County, AmeriCorps and others. Santa arrived in style aboard a 654 LIMO donated by the company. Once again, the support of Toys for Tots in donating most of the toys and the United Way’s Coats for Kids program was integral to the success of the event, as well as the continued support of sponsors like Cox and others.
6thANNUAL SANTA’S 4-COUNTY SLEIGH RUN:
23 December 2018: The organization took gifts to families in Milton, Crestview, Santa Rosa Beach, Destin, Shalimar and Valparaiso. They also extended the sleigh run to Panama City and were able to give toys to kids while parked at one of the areas badly affected by Hurricane Michael. A special thanks to David Switzer for driving the “sleigh” all day.
