This year I am proud to be United Way's Campaign Cabinet Chair. I have been involved with United Way of Santa Barbara County for many years giving Axxess books for donations and have participated in the United Way Executive Club (local leaders who give $1,200 or more each year). For 20 years I have had the privilege of working with many Santa Barbara non-profits by volunteering and serving on committees. Through the work we do at SB Axxess I am acutely aware of the importance of investing in local K-12 students and their families. SB Axxess and United Way's shared goals in improving education and financial stability excite me as I take on my new role as Campaign Chair! I am thrilled to be a part of United Way's programs not only because of the incredible impact they have on the children, families, and seniors who call this community home, but because they bring together so many public, private, educational, for-profit, and non-profits organizations for the common good. They are truly seeking to have a collective impact.
This year it is our goal to strengthen United Way's relationships with donors, volunteers, and partners. We also want to engage with young professionals and start-up workplaces to work together to build better futures for all of us in Santa Barbara. Young professionals are the next generation of leaders and the ones who will be caring for the future of our community. Many young professionals want to be engaged in the world and in their community, but don't always know how. United Way of Santa Barbara County provides an incredible way to make a difference. Our goal is to raise an additional $150,000 this year to provide Dolly Parton Imagination Library books to more local families, Kindergarten Success Institutes at more local schools, Power Reading literacy improvement tools to more children and families, and much more!
Again I am excited and humbled by this opportunity. If you have connections to people or organizations who want to get involved please reach out to United Way of Santa Barbara County's President & CEO, Steve Ortiz, and me!
- Karim Kaderali