Dine United

Have a good meal, bolster the local economy as well as the social fabric of the community all in one sitting.

The third annual Dine United event on Sept. 2 will kick off the United Way’s annual community campaign, which each year drops the green flag on the first Thursday in September.

With more local restaurants participating, the concept of eat, drink and give is as tangible as ever as the United Way amps up its community campaign for another successful year.

How successful?

In 2006 the Gulf County United Way campaign raised $38,000. The following year, the amount grew to $56,000, where it remained in 2008.

“That is a 44 percent increase in tough times,” said Ron Sharpe, United Way community development coordinator for the six-county region that includes Bay, Gulf, Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty and Washington counties. “Of all of our six counties, Gulf was the only one to show an increase.”

With the loss of Arizona Chemical and its employee campaign, the Gulf County campaign took a dip to $41,126, but Gulf County remains a success story – in each of the past three years Gulf County has out-performed surrounding counties with its campaign, Sharpe said.

Dine United was created last year as a fun way to kickoff the annual campaign.

The event injects money into the local economy, bolsters the coffers of the United Way, which in turn injects the money back into the community.

“This is a concept I came up with last year,” Sharpe said. “What better way, you go out for something to eat. You support the businesses which need the support, you support the largest non-profit agency in the country and the money goes directly back into the community.

“The money contributed will be used to assist the elderly, children and others in need in your community. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a nice meal with your family and help your community at the same time.

“I went to as many restaurants as I could. We help promote your restaurant and you donate to the United Way.”

Not to mention the community.

Consider that of the $56,000 raised during the community campaign in 2008, more than $52,000, or 95 cents on the dollar, was donated back into the community.

The local United Way receives funds in three distinct categories.

Those who donate to the United Way can earmark those funds for specific agencies approved under the United Way umbrella.

The statewide campaign will also bring in funds specified in similar fashion, donations given for specific agencies serving the community.

“A good thing about a United Way campaign is you can designate where you want your money to go,” Sharpe said.

“Think about this. You live here, but you may have a loved one in Miami being served by a United Way approved agency that you can designate to receive your donation.”

Funds not specifically earmarked are pooled into the community grant fund, which provides grants to agencies and organizations which apply for funding from the United Way.

A committee comprised of local residents reviews the grant applications and decides on recipients and amounts.

Last year North Florida Child Development, Inc., Gulf County Senior Citizens and Gulf County ARC & Gulf Transportation were among the organizations that received funding from the United Way.

In addition, funds were provided to organizations such as the American Red Cross, which has offered assistance for countless emergencies, such as a house fire or flooding, in the community, and Life Management, which has offices in Gulf County.

“Whether they are in Gulf County or not, all these agencies touch the lives of Gulf County citizens,” Sharpe said, looking at a spread sheet of the area agencies that received money from the Gulf County campaign. “There are no borders.”

This year, 13 local restaurants have agreed to donate 10 percent of their sales on Sept. 2 to the Dine United event in Gulf County.

Sharpe noted that some restaurant owners don’t bother with the 10 percent; they will cut a check that often amounts to more than 10 percent of what the restaurant will make on September 2.

“We didn’t put pressure on them,” Sharpe said. “Our goal is to drive traffic to them and benefit the United Way at the same time. If we can just get citizens to go out and thank the restaurants, show that they appreciate what the restaurants are doing, that makes it a win.”

The main purpose of the effort, Sharpe said, is straightforward.

“It is all about raising awareness, of the United Way and the agencies we serve,” Sharpe said.

For more information go to www.unitedwaynwfl.org.

Dine United Participating Restaurants:

Provisions

Subway (Wewahitchka and Port St. Joe locations)

The Thirsty Goat

The Fish House

Killer Seafood

Sunset Coastal Grill

Great Southern School of Fish

Dockside Cafe