United Way of Tampa Bay has activated our Disaster Preparedness Plan. The staff is currently preparing for Tropical Storm Fay. Please be advised that our offices will be closed on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 as staff members prepare. For the current situation on Fay's landfall in Florida, please frequently check our Disaster Preparedness blog at http://disasterservices.wordpress.com/ on the web. United Way is responsible for disaster fundraising efforts in the Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties region and plays a leadership role in organizing volunteer efforts in after-event relief operations. NOTICE TO UNITED WAY STAFF: The phonetree is activated; please keep your vital phone numbers with you and be ready to check in after the storm passes. Check the disaster services blog as often as possible for additional updates. NOTICE TO VOLUNTEERS: Please check the disaster services blog after the storm passes for information on staging volunteer relief efforts. ___________________________________________________ Make an Impact in Our Community Sign-up for Our Annual Children's Book Drive Sign up for the Third Annual United Way of Tampa Bay Children’s Book Drive and make reading a reality for all children. Leading  the United Way Book Drive for your organization is fun and easy! Gather new and like-new children’s books for kindergarten through age 10 from August 6 through August 27.  |more|        ___________________________________________________ Mark your Calendars for United Way of Tampa Bay 16th Annual Day of Caring We invite you and your team to join with hundreds of others to demonstrate your social responsibility and make an immeasurable impact in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. |more| ___________________________________________________ It’s In the Books: Art of Giving Proves a Bestseller Models walked the red carpets, the New York Times bestselling author worked the crowd, and flashbulbs popped during the fashion shoot. But this wasn’t Paris or Milan; it was Tampa during the Fourth Annual United Way of Tampa Bay’s Art of Giving dinner, presented by Bank of America. Thanks to the charisma and talents of The Devil Wears Prada author Lauren Weisberger, more than 450 guests packed the Pepin Hospitality Center to benefit the United Way’s Summer Care program. The event raised more than $80,000 to help support low-income working families with affordable child care and financial literacy education. ___________________________________________________ United Way Recognizes Top Volunteers of the Year Veterans, teens, an artist, and a pro football player are among the thirteen individuals or groups to receive United Way of Tampa Bay’s Volunteer of the Year awards for their commitment and volunteer efforts in the community. The awards were presented Tuesday, April 29 during the annual awards luncheon at the Tampa Doubletree hotel. |more|