When Janie Cody, UF Health Medical Plaza Contact Center supervisor, stood to speak at the United Way leadership reception last fall, a hush fell over the room. Cody, a longtime UF Health Shands employee, has participated in the United Way campaign for much of her career.

Her story was personal — focused on how the United Way has helped her in her time of need.

“I was a young, divorced mother of three new to the city and in need of child care,” she said. “Through the United Way I was able to receive the care I needed at a reduced rate — a hand up, not a hand out.”

She continued sharing examples of how the United Way assisted other family members at different times of need for different circumstances.

“If it were not for the United Way and the agencies they support, those needs wouldn’t have been met,” she said. “So I pledge to give back.”

The UF Health Shands United Way Campaign benefits the United Way of North Central Florida. Through missions of health, education and income, the United Way uses funds to support programs in our own community, like ElderCare of Alachua County, Seal&Smile and Catholic Charities’ Weekend Backpack Program.

For two special weeks in October, UF Health Shands employees UNITE for United Way. Last year, nearly 1,500 employees participated in the campaign, raising more than $300,000 for our community.

Unite with us!

Visit the UF Health Bridge and enter “United Way” in the search bar to find the campaign portal link and log in with your UF Health Shands username and Employee ID number. You’ll find campaign resources, detailed donor information and incentives for this year’s campaign.