Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Orange County employees gathered for the 2016 Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) Campaign\u2019s Victory Celebration luncheon on Dec. 1 at the Orange County Convention Center.<\/p>\n
County employees surpassed their fundraising goal of $450,000 by raising an impressive $574,855 this year for the local nonprofit. This year\u2019s campaign also exceeded the previous year\u2019s contributions when County employees raised $507,985. For 90 years, Heart of Florida United Way<\/a> has been at the forefront of health and human care services in Central Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cEach year, the campaigns are not only more energetic, but also more motivating, as we work to raise money for those in our community who really need it,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cI\u2019m confident that will continue into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Orange County departments and individuals were also recognized for their top money raising efforts, including:<\/p>\n Despite 2016 proving to be especially challenging with the June 12 Pulse Nightclub tragedy and Hurricane Matthew, employees continued to raise funds to help those impacted by tragedy and others in need.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce again, you did whatever necessary to succeed,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cYour efforts and the money you raised provided services to individuals and families that would have otherwise been left without help or resources. You are transforming their lives from tragedy to hope.\u201d<\/p>\n The Orange County HFUW Executive Steering Committee, coordinators and departments held more than 50 events this year, including carwashes, cookouts, bake sales, golf tournaments, races and Orange County Fire Rescue\u2019s 343 Heroes Challenge<\/a>.<\/p>\n HFUW has been involved in Central Florida since 1939. Since the beginning, the organization has been carrying on the tradition of helping those in need in Orlando, but has since changed its focus to prevention with a philosophy called Investing in Results<\/em>. With a goal targeted toward finding a way to prevent problems affecting the community, HFUW is dedicated to focusing on education, income, health and basic needs.<\/p>\n To view photos from the 2016 Heart of Florida United Way Campaign\u2019s Victory Celebration luncheon<\/a>, visit Mayor Jacobs\u2019 Flickr album.\n
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