United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore held its 12th annual CEO & Coordinator Breakfast on Thursday morning to officially kick-off the 2016 United Way “Make a Difference! Live United” campaign season.

Hosted by Jim Perdue of Perdue Farms, the breakfast brought more than 250 local business and community leaders together at The Bistro in the Commons at Salisbury University to hear uplifting speeches and updates about United Way’s community impact efforts on the Lower Shore.

Dr. Janet Dudley-Eschbach, President of Salisbury University, opened the event with an official welcome.

Salisbury University generously sponsored this event for the fourth consecutive year, with volunteers from Salisbury University’s Student United Way, and performances from the University’s acappella group “Squawkapella.”

Principal Salome Thomas-EL, National Education Expert and Educational Consultant to Dr. Oz, CNN, NPR and Oprah Radio, provided the keynote speech, emphasizing the importance of “Making a Difference” within the Lower Shore Community. Thomas-EL encouraged other local businesses and community leaders to increase their involvement with United Way.  

Said Mommé: “We are grateful for the opportunity to show the leaders in our community how our United Way is Making a Difference in the lives of our Lower Eastern Shore neighbors. Together, we are fighting for the Education, Financial Stability and Health of everyone in our community. ”

Following the breakfast, guests were offered a “Seeing is Believing” tour of United Way partner agencies The Life Crisis Center, Easter Seals and a Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County build site, to gain a firsthand look at the impact United Way programs are having in the community. The day concluded with a training session and lunch for campaign coordinators.

Now in its 72nd year, United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore continues to be the largest nongovernmental source of funding for 74 critical programs in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties.

In 2016, United Way provided nearly $1.4 million to community programs and helped to change the lives of over 77,000 individuals. For more information, visit unitedway4us.org.