United Way Miami Celebrates Impactful Volunteers and Welcomes New Board Members at 2024 Annual Meeting and Volunteer Awards
On June 17, United Way Miami’s corporate and non-profit partners, community leaders, award honorees and supporters of United Way’s Giving Communities gathered at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami for our Annual Meeting and Volunteer Awards.
Our President and CEO, Symeria Hudson, highlighted the organization’s progress over the past year, including the growth of UpSkill Miami and the far-reaching impact of our United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education (CFE). She also reflected on United Way’s centennial and shared how the next century of service is taking shape. Staff celebrating service milestones with the organization were also recognized.
Deep gratitude was expressed to United Way’s outgoing Board Chair, Penny Shaffer, while the incoming Board Chair, Frank Gonzalez, was welcomed. We look forward to everything his energy and expertise will bring to the organization.
This year’s program also recognized Miami-Dade County Public Schools, our largest Workplace Employee Campaign partner. Together we, once again, surpassed the million-dollar mark, raising a total of $1,153,146 this year. Seven top-performing schools were also given a special shout-out.
The Volunteer Awards portion of the program recognized and celebrated the volunteers who have made a transformative impact on United Way Miami and those we serve. Six outstanding individuals have forever changed our community for the better through their service and commitment to our mission:
PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Florida State Representative Vicki L. Lopez
Florida State Representative, District 113
MONSIGNOR WALSH OUTSTANDING HUMAN SERVICES PROFESSIONAL AWARD
T. Willard Fair
President and Chief Executive Officer
Urban League of Greater Miami, Inc.
ESSIE SILVA COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD
Thelma Gibson
Founding Sponsor, Board Member and Namesake
Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, Inc.
DOROTHY SHULA OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERISM AWARD
Robert E. Sanchez
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Ryder System, Inc.
OUTSTANDING YOUTH AWARD
Milana Lamdan
8th Grade, Norman S. Edelcup Sunny Isles Beach K-8
Zahra Marie Ronizi
12th Grade, Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Sr. High School
Check out photos from our 2024 Annual Meeting and Volunteer Awards here.
Thank you to our generous sponsors and partners for making our 2024 Annual Meeting and Volunteer Awards such an elevated experience: City National Bank, Greenberg Traurig, American Airlines, The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald and the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami.
