DAPHNE – The United Way of Baldwin County kicked off its 2022 campaign with the theme of being a hero and University of Alabama head basketball coach Nate Oats delivered the keynote speech to inspire the crowd at the Daphne Civic Center Thursday afternoon, Sept. 1.

Oats shared the core values and standards set by the Crimson Tide squad and translated their effectiveness to the fundraising efforts of the United Way.

While the core values of max effort, continuous growth and selfless love, paired with the standards of consistency, grit and intentionality, were drawn up to help Alabama win basketball games, he saw gravity in those same principles off the court around Baldwin County.

“When we’re talking about the United Way, I think they’re winning in life,” Oats said. “The stuff they’re helping do is a lot more important than winning games – now, winning basketball games in Alabama is a big deal. I get it since I’ve been here, if I don’t win enough games I’ll get fired.”

Core value 3: Selfless love

While it’s the third and final core value, Oats said the selfless love aspect has done the most for the team both on and off the court.

“I think that becomes contagious amongst a team, I think it becomes contagious amongst a community as well, to be honest. I’ve seen it as a teacher and educator, if you get some teachers and leaders in the community that are selfless, that are about their community, it permeates itself through the whole community,” Oats said. “This selfless love, I think it can hash itself out in many different ways and you guys know Baldwin County a lot more than me, like where do we need the help? Where can we show a little bit more love? Where can we contribute a little bit more?”

Standard 1: Consistency

That tied into the first standard set by the Crimson Tide for their 2022-23 season, if consistency can be present then the sky is the limit.

“We could use a little consistency with the help, obviously the United Way can’t get a ton of help from you this year, then nothing,” Oats said. “Everybody’s not going to be perfect every day, but we need to see continuous growth (Core Value 2). You may have a down night, but we can’t have these peaks so there’s got to be consistency in your players, consistency in your life and consistency in your involvement in the community. You can’t get all fired up and help for two weeks and then disappear for 10 months, it doesn’t work like that.”

Standard 3: Intentionality

While Oats established the other values and standards, many efforts would never come to fruition if the pedal is never intentionally put to the metal.

“Let’s be intentional about our help, let’s not wait and let people ask. Let’s be intentional, what can you do to help in the community? How can you make it better? Be assertive, be intentional with your help,” Oats said. “There’s got to be something that you’re interested in that you can be intentional about helping.”

Local heroes honored with awards

Before the coach’s speech, a local hero was presented an award for her efforts, a Lifetime Service Award was handed out to an initial member of the group and the top campaign, top school campaign and three leading companies were recognized.

Patrice Davis, who served on the board of directors starting in 2014 and was named chairman of the board in 2019 through the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Sally, was chosen as the winner of the Community HERO Award.

“This required a huge sacrifice and time commitment to help our staff of two navigate through back-to-back disasters,” Executive Director Marina Simpson said. “She was always there, always willing to help and willing to serve. Her time on the board of directors has since ended but we will never forget the impact that she made to the United Way of Baldwin County and our community during that extremely challenging year.”

The Lifetime Service Award was presented to Judge Tim Russell who said he was shocked by the recognition.

“We wanted to be here because we love the United Way,” Russell said. “I never thought I’d be here at this type of program. My goal when I was first elected chairman was $50,000 and then my beautiful bride, Sandy, was chairman a few years later and she topped that goal at about $60,000. Now, you’re way in excess of a million and I’m humbly thankful to all of y’all.”

Top campaigns, companies

Publix was honored as the top campaign once again after Chairman Angela Byrnes said they’ve pledged more than $200,000 over the past several years.

Byrnes also said Baldwin County Public Schools hold a competition to find the top fundraiser and Foley’s High School Coordinator Wendy O’Toole accepted the award for top school campaign for the Lions’ efforts.

BCPS was also one of the three leading companies honored, alongside Baldwin EMC and Regions Bank after they contributed more than $125,000.