United Way continues their commitment to help

MILTON — Acting administrator for United Way of Santa Rosa County (UWSRC) Kyle Holley has been busy since taking on the leadership role for the organization.

Holley served as grants and major gifts manager until Guy Thompson was removed as executive director on Oct. 26. According to UWSRC spokeswoman Pamela Holt, Thompson and two other unnamed employees were placed on administrative leave on Oct. 3 after an independent auditor into accounting irregularities launched an internal investigation.

UWSRC has partnered with and outsourced all their accounting duties to accountants Jill Sport and Tim Wheat as the audit continues.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with other organizations," Holley said. "That will give us more time to concentrate on helping the people in need."

UWSRC is currently working with chaplains at NAS Whiting Field to provide 80 low-income families with Thanksgiving meals. Hollley said the families have been identified by NAS chaplains and the distribution of meals will be done by their office. A volunteer named Mike Patterson will cook the turkeys. Patterson has been giving back to the community by cooking turkeys for the past 16 years. Patterson, a production manager for Adams Homes, said he fried 198 turkeys last year for various organizations. He said he provides the services free, but does accept donations.

UWSRC is also working with the United States Marine Corps Reserves on the Toys for Tots project. The annual campaign started on Oct. 1, and will end on Dec. 22 with the distribution of gifts. Applications are being accepted until Dec. 10.

Holley said Toys for Tots is not an income based program and anyone can apply to receive toys, but the Marines Corps Reserve ask that residents only apply if they have a need. He said there is a need for volunteers to help provide logistical support for this year's Toy for Tots drive and anyone interested should to contact UWSRC.

In addition to the toy drive, Holley said, UWSRC is currently looking for partnership opportunities for a shoe drive. Holley said there is a need for shoes among school-aged children in the county and the program will work with principals and guidance counselors to identify children in need and discreetly distribute the shoes while maintaining their privacy. He said he is asking any companies or organizations interested in partnering with UWSRC for the shoe drive to contact his office.

In addition to the regular services the program provides and the demands of the holiday season on the organization, Holley said there is still time and room for improvement. He said he is taking advantage of this transition time to implement best practice procedures for the organization. He said he wants UWSRC to be as transparent as possible. There is a feeling among staff, Holley said, of being more open or transparent than ever before.

"We are working hard to provide services," Holley said.

Holley gave an update on Westgate Mobile Home Park. He said residents of the park were court ordered to leave after the location was deemed uninhabitable due to septic tank problems that were creating a health hazard. He said all 11 families that needed to move have found new homes. The last two residents to move owned their trailers and Holley said UWSRC was able to find them a location to move to and pay for the moving of the trailers.

For more information on the Toys for Tots applications or if you want to help by volunteering go to www.unitedwaysrc.org, or call 850-623-4507.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: United Way continues their commitment to help