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Led by United Way board member and Rays senior vice president Mark Fernandez, the Rays put on quite a show. Rays television in-game reporter Todd Kalas was the Master of Ceremonies, Raymond the mascot got the crowd rolling, and the Rays vision showed all of the ‘action’ on the big screen.
But it was Burdett’s induction to the first ever United Way Campaign Coordinator Hall of Fame that was the emotional pinnacle of the morning. Debbie, a United Way Campaign Coordinator for over 20 years, has led Mosaic to raise over $7 million in that span. She has also led the way in creativity, vision, and volunteer service for Mosaic. She tearfully spoke of her commitment to United Way and her efforts for the future. Debbie was inducted to the first ever Campaign Coordinator Hall of Fame class by United Way Board Chair Steve Mason and Campaign Cabinet Chair John Schueler.
United Way’s messaging Live United was promoted throughout the event. Live United is a call to action to improve conditions of the Tampa Bay community through workplace training, affordable childcare, school readiness, and more. Diana Baker, CEO of United Way, spoke to the concept “Live the Shirt”, the t-shirt bearing the simple but powerful meaning that so many promoted that morning. The Live United shirt was prominently displayed throughout the Trop and branded with the help of Rays players Shawn Riggans, Edwin Jackson, Dioner Navarro, and Carl Crawford . “Raymond” and MC Kalas also got into the action of Living the Shirt.
John Schueler, president of Media General- Florida Communications Group, provided the closing and morning’s most impactful remarks. He detailed the organization’s campaign goal of $23 million and the teamwork and effort across the board that will be needed to overcome a tough economy.
With all of the momentum leading into the campaign, that isn’t the end of the festivities. More than 2,700 of our United Way friends and family will be in attendance at the September 3rd United Way Night with the Rays as our hometown team battles the rival Yankees. We’ll feature our Hall of Famer, Burdett, throwing out the first pitch, our Live United kids singing the “Seventh Inning Stretch”. Finally, we’ll run the biggest campaign video around on the Rays Vision. (35’ x 64’).
We kicked off our Campaign in “Hall of Fame” style. But it’s only the beginning. We have a long way to round the bases, and it’s the community’s support that will help us plate the winning run.
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