ART OF GIVING REACHES GOAL FOR
TAMPA BAY FAMILIES.

It was evident from the start that although United Way’s Art of Giving once again shined as one of Tampa’s best and brightest events, the purpose was impactful: Summer Care families.

More than 500 guests packed A La Carte Pavilion to hear HGTV designer Vern Yip talking interior design. Talk show host Kia Malone emceed while the International Academy of Design and Technology led the way in creating a design showroom.

But there was far more than the designs, the makeup, and the celebrities. There was the caring factor: Summer Care.

From the show’s opening animation to the final goodbyes, it all focused on United Way’s Summer Care, a program providing summer childcare and financial education to Tampa Bay’s working families. Kia spoke about her own experiences and how United Way indirectly helped her family growing up. Live auctioneer Wade West, of American Fundraising Auctions, brought a fun and frenzy pace auctioning handbags and trips. But this fast-talking auctioneer also took a moment of pause to remind guests about the importance of United Way and Summer Care.

There was the heartfelt message from United Way’s celebrity guest. Vern has an affinity for helping children worldwide though his work with UNICEF. But then he focused on Tampa Bay. Beyond his design tips and insight, Vern took five minutes at the end of the presentation to value United Way’s efforts to build a stronger community and highlight the importance of Summer Care.

These perspectives made a difference. United Way raised $110,000 for Summer Care. Children and families benefit from a night of glamour and design.

As the lights dimmed and the guests departed, United Way Women’s Leadership begins planning for 2011. 

Summer Care is ever evolving.  More than 2,600 families have been helped since 2005. Many more thousands of local families will be helped in the future.

Summer officially begins on June 21. For United Way, Bank of America, Publix Super Markets Charities, Vern Yip, Kia Malone, and the hundreds of supporters and partners that made an impact at Art of Giving, Summer Care is underway in Tampa Bay.