United Way of St. Lucie County raised over $18,000 at its first ever Founder's Celebration on Saturday, January 26 th at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds. The event, which honored the dedicated volunteers who established United Way back in 1962, is part of a year-long celebration of the organization's 45 th anniversary of helping people in need in St. Lucie county.

The evening began with a welcome and brief history of United Way from Dr. Edwin R. Massey, President of Indian River Community College and the event's Grand Marshal. Dr. Massey spoke about the foresight of the United Way founders and the spirit of giving they instilled in this community that continues to this day. Founders Alto "Bud" Adams, Jr. and Harold Holtsberg were on hand to accept special awards in honor of their contribution and commitment to the St. Lucie County community.

This country/western themed event featured live music by Moonshadow in Harmony, a delicious western dinner, dancing, live & silent auctions, line dance and square dance lessons and other "fun" raisers throughout the evening. The "Wheelbarrow of Cheer" donated by Sharon J. Kelly Realty Inc. raised $875 and the live auction items raised over $3,000.

Sponsors of the event included Dean, Mead, Minton & Zwemer, AT&T, Bernard Egan & Co., Evans Properties, Inc., First Peoples Bank, Jim & Maria McKenzie, Riverside National Bank, Seacoast National Bank, Balfour Beatty Construction, Karlin Daniel & Associates, Plant Haven Wholesale Nursery, Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster, & Russell, PA, and Standard Coffee Services.

The proceeds from the celebration will go into the general campaign fund to be earmarked for distribution to local agencies during the annual allocations process. United Way of St. Lucie County is currently at 64% of its $1.9 million fundraising goal for the year and is still in need of donations to meet this goal by March. To make a donation to United Way of St. Lucie County, please call 772-464-5300 or visit our website at www.unitedwayslc.org.