BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) launched its 2025 annual fundraising campaign with an inspiring kickoff event on September 4th at The Club. The event featured powerful testimonials from Emmyaward- winning speaker and Birmingham native Timothy Alexander, along with disability advocate Mary White of the Awesome Mary Show, who both embody this year’s campaign theme: WHY WE UNITE.
Alexander shared his journey from a promising high school athlete to an advocate for resilience after a devastating car accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors once told him he would never walk, talk or achieve much of anything.
“They were wrong,” Alexander told the crowd. “We don’t need it to be easy, we just need it to be possible. I would not be who I am and where I am if it wasn’t for United Way and everyone in attendance at this kickoff today. Because of that support, I had opportunities when others told me I never would. What you do makes a difference, and it gives people the chance to go and make a difference themselves.”
Alexander, who became the first paraplegic to receive a football scholarship at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, credited United Way and its partners for providing critical support along his journey.
Mary White echoed his message of perseverance. Born with hydrocephalus and having undergone 44 brain surgeries, White shared how United Way partner agencies helped her not only survive but thrive. Today, she works at Children’s of Alabama, the same hospital where she received care throughout her childhood.
“I would never be here today without United Way or its partner agencies,” White said. “They mean the world to me.”
Carrying Forward Hope 2025 Campaign Chair Trey Clegg announced the campaign goal of $37,650,000, drawing inspiration from his longtime mentor, the late Dr. Gary Edwards of United Ability, a UWCA partner agency. Clegg reflected on Edwards’ metaphor of a lighthouse as a symbol of hope.
“When people are out in their boat navigating life with their family, they may encounter rough waters,” Clegg said. “But if they can see the lighthouse and make it safely into harbor, they can have confidence in receiving the support they need before returning on their journey. Our role, especially in the business community, is to keep that lighthouse burning bright.”
Clegg emphasized that UWCA not only provides immediate help for individuals and families but also partners with agencies to create systemic change across Central Alabama.
“That is a hope we can all unite around…working together to build a better Birmingham for our families, our employees and our children,” he said.
Building on Momentum This year’s campaign builds on the early success of UWCA’s summer Pacesetter Campaign, led by Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED’s President and CEO Mike Suco, which raised $11,400,000 toward the overall goal.
WHY WE UNITE
The campaign theme, WHY WE UNITE, reflects a simple but powerful truth: communities are stronger when they come together. Whether it’s fighting hunger, supporting youth, promoting mental wellness or empowering individuals to give back through volunteerism, UWCA and its partners are united around a shared mission because no one can do it alone.
This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of UWCA’s corporate partners: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Encompass Health, Regions, Brasfield & Gorrie and Behavioral Health Systems.
About United Way of Central Alabama
United Way of Central Alabama serves Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker counties. Through our many partner agencies, community initiatives and strategic planning, we improve lives and community conditions by providing programs and services that address people’s most critical needs, including hunger relief, early childhood development and education, mental health support and more. For more information, visit www.uwca.org.