UWCC welcomes new Board members
by Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director – United Way of Charlotte County
United Way is a big name with a big legacy. Love it or leave it, everyone has heard of United Way.
And while we get branding, guidance and resources from United Way Worldwide, United Way of Charlotte County is its own living and breathing local entity. Our strategic priorities are determined by local needs. Our investment funds come from (mostly) local donors. Our programs serve local residents.
And the heartbeat of this local entity is our Board of Directors – who are also local residents.
As we closed out one fiscal year and transitioned to the next, our Board of Directors experienced some transition as well. We said a fond farewell to Charlotte Miller as Board Chair and welcomed Fred Cort as he took over this role.
Fred has been a vital part of our board for the past three years. He had served with a United Way in Pennsylvania and found the experience rewarding in many ways. Since coming to Charlotte County, both he and his wife Carol have dutifully served on our Community Impact Panels.
“The success stories told by many of our agencies is an enormous reinforcement for staying involved. At least as important for me is getting to work with like-minded volunteers and professional staff whose passion for making good things happen for others is an extraordinary inspiration.”
While he doesn’t have much spare time, Fred loves to cook and does most of the cooking at home. Carol does not eat meat, so they eat a lot of fish, and the availability of fresh fish in Florida has expanded his range of what goes on the table. He has two sons who he is very proud of, in part because they have also become involved with their local United Way, and he also has six amazing grandchildren.
We value the heart that Fred has brought to our organization these past few years. We also look forward to some “new blood” pumping through the heart of UWCC.
New board member Alfred Current believes in community and service. “I felt that with my involvement in Rotary, church and the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, I could bring a voice to the table that would help change the human condition for the better.”
He has been involved with UWCC for several years through ambassador activities, our Campaign Cabinet and Day of Caring. Alfred is an Eagle Scout, likes to smoke whole hog barbeque, won a Pinewood Derby Car Race and has soloed in an airplane-Cesena 150 and fly hulls on a Hobie Cate in a butt-bucket.
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital is a long-time supporter of UWCC and has become the inaugural sponsor of our new affinity group, Ageless United. They have also extended one of their staff members to our board, Kelly Carr, who shared, “I believe in the mission of United Way of Charlotte County and the future of Ageless United as it ties in with us at the hospital.” Kelly reports that she has the cutest cockapoo on the planet named Buddy. She enjoys traveling and has visited over 70 countries.
Jill Spatola from Spatola Group Merrill Lynch really wanted to make a difference and give back to her community. She joined Women United last year and has been an active member planning the annual lunch, Fashionista Friday and strategic planning. She was excited to join the board and we are happy to have her with us. She loves spending time with family and her dog, and also enjoys exercising, decorating, boating and paddleboarding.
As you see these familiar faces in the community, let them know you appreciate their service to Charlotte County. They truly are the heartbeat of the great work that we do at UWCC.
To see our full list of Board of Directors, visit unitedwayccfl.org/board-directors.
For more information about United Way of Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.