The Jessie Ball duPont Center and Hemming Park buzzed with excitement as thousands gathered for United Way of Northeast Florida’s community celebration during Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk. The May 4 event served as a unique opportunity for United Way to recognize the impact of its supporters and also engage with new audiences and the community overall.

The night begin with an open house and reception in the Grand Hall of the duPont Center, United Way’s new home. United Way of Northeast Florida President and CEO Michelle Braun and Campaign Chair Russ Thomas recognized Florida Blue, Publix Super Markets, Baptist Health, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., CSX, and Wells Fargo for their outstanding commitment to the organization as Million Dollar Circle members.

Also that evening, in collaboration with Downtown Vision, Inc., and Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk, United Way partnered to present “United We Rock! @ Downtown Art Walk” in a culmination celebration. United Way’s band of local business leaders, the Old Patróns, played in between two sets of the headliner The Band Be Easy. The members of Old Patróns are:

• Russ Thomas, CEO, Availity LLC, and 2015 United Way Campaign Chair
• Chuck Divita, senior vice president and CFO, Florida Blue
• Mark Stryker, chief business development officer, GuideWell Connect
• Judy Walz, senior vice president, marketing and planning, VyStar Credit Union
• Scott Wooten, senior vice president and CFO, Baptist Medical Center

Art Walk also featured United Way information and activity booths. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the agency and volunteer opportunities at the information booth.

Guests were also invited to join the fun at United Way’s activity booth where Art Walk participants stuffed more than 100 bears for children enrolled in United Way’s ReadingPals program.

The event was a collaborative endeavor made possible by our partners at Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk, Downtown Vision, Inc., Jacksonville Business Journal and WJXT Channel 4.

Visit our Facebook page for more photos from the event.