United Way Honorees Recognized For Legacy of Giving (2024)

The United Way of Central Florida is celebrating its 80^th anniversary this year. At a recent ceremony at the historic Polk Theatre, it honored five residents for their outstanding volunteer work and advocacy.

UWCF President and CEO Christina Criser Jackson acknowledged past leaders, who, beginning in 1944, established the charitable organization that now provides services to about 150,000 people in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties each year.

Criser Jackson pointed out that 80 years ago, the fundraising campaign goal was $22,000. Now, the United Way of Central Florida raises more than $13 million a year for local services.

“We’ve seen incredible growth in the last 80 years, resulting in tremendous impact on our community,” Criser Jackson said.

She said the award winners exemplify all that is good about central Florida, pouring their time, talent energies and money into helping those around us.

Philanthropist of the Year — Kelly Williams-Puccio

United Way leaders said Kelly Williams-Puccio, 60, has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to philanthropy, the United Way and the community. She recently retired from Publix Super Markets Charities. Williams-Puccio has been:

• A member of the Leadership Giving Association for more than 20 years.
• A volunteer in the ReadingPals program
• Served on the Tri-County Needs Assessment Polk County Committee.
• A past board chair for Polk County Junior Achievement.
• Heavily involved with Girl Scouts.

Williams-Puccio began her career at Publix as a cashier in 1979. From there, she worked her way up the Publix “green ladder,” eventually becoming executive director of Publix Super Markets Charities, a position she held for the last 12 years.

Through her leadership, Publix Super Markets Charities has worked to alleviate hunger, reduce homelessness and support education initiatives. The charity is among the first to respond to natural disasters throughout the community and state with donations or tangible goods.

“I was very shocked and honored that they would be so kind and think that I was deserving of that,” she said. “The man was talking and he got about halfway through his speech when I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, he’s talking about me.”

Williams-Puccio graduated from high school in Boca Raton and moved to Lakeland in 1995 for her work with Publix. She and her husband John have three surviving adult children and four grandchildren, with a fifth due in August.

She said she was honored to carry on the legacy of the Publix founder George W. Jenkins.

“Just to be able to know how much good was being done with what Mr. George had left us was the best job at Publix,” she said.

George W. Jenkins Outstanding United Way Volunteer — Paul Noris

This award, named for Publix’s founder, recognizes volunteers who have served in various United Way leadership roles and assignments.

Paul Noris, 58, is CEO and chairman of the board at the Bank of Central Florida. He has volunteered with United Way of Central Florida since 2010 as:

• A member of the Campaign Steering Committee.
• A member of the board of directors.
• A Day of Caring volunteer.
• A member of the Board Nominating Committee.
• On the Alexis de Tocqueville Committee.
• A member of the Leadership Giving Association for more than 20 years.

In 2017 he and his wife, Lynn, were fundraising campaign co-chairs, challenging the community to give just 10% more.

Noris has also held several leadership positions in the community, including on the board of directors for the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, of which he was chairman in 2007.

Carol Jenkins Barnett ‘Success By 6’ Child Advocacy Award — Cindi Parker-Pearson

UWCF leaders said Cindi Parker-Pearson, 63, is the very definition of a child advocate.

Parker-Pearson’s life’s work has been with the community’s most vulnerable residents: children with special needs. That work began as a college student when she volunteered with the Special Olympics and it changed her career path.

In addition to working with exceptional students in the classroom, she has spearheaded the charter school movement in Polk County. Her efforts have affected the lives of thousands of children who have benefited from the programs at Achievement Academy. In 2015, the Florida Consortium of Charter Schools honored her with the Champion Award.

She has also:

• Served on the board of directors for the Early Learning Coalition.
• Served on the United Way School Readiness Committee
• Been trained as a school guardian to ensure the safety of students on campus.

“Her lifelong dedication as an advocate and champion for exceptional student education has not only improved lives but have also strengthened our community,” UWCF leaders said.

When she heard the description of the award winner, she said was glad it was a teacher and glad it was someone from a charter school. Then realized she had won.

“That was quite a surprise. It took me a little while — it’s very hard to keep a secret from me at the school,” Parker-Pearson said.

She added that she is grateful to be in her 37th year of education at Achievement Academy, where she started as a teacher and is now principal over three campuses.

“We have been able to do things with the very young, special needs child through the support of most in our community,” Parker-Pearson said. “This is a special place to work. We’ve been allowed to do what we think as educators needs to be done with children. It’s a costly endeavor to do, but we have been blessed to have the support of this community and our board to help raise that money that’s needed to provide the types of support that is needed in that first to five age.”

Achievement Academy has three locations in Lakeland, Bartow and Winter Haven, serving 157 students.

She has one son, Trenton, who is a police officer.

Citizen of the Year — Kimberly Elmhorst

Kimberly Elmhorst, 55, earned the Citizen of the Year award by “going above and beyond for the community.”

Elmhorst is no stranger to volunteering. She has served on:

• The Young Leaders Society, starting in 2011.
• Women United in 2012.
• United Way board of directors in 2015.
• A member of the Steering and Démocratie Society committees.
• A Day of Caring volunteer for multiple years.
• A Community Investment Team member.

She’s taken on major roles throughout her time with United Way of Central Florida, chairing the Women’s Leadership Council advisory board and chairing the 2015 fundraising campaign, where she helped raise record-breaking donations to the United Way. She can pair the Citizen of the Year award with the 2019 George Jenkins Outstanding Volunteer award.

She has also served as past president of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland and a past member of the board of trustees for Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine. Currently, she serves on the board of directors for Lakeland Regional Health, Bonnet Springs Park and GiveWell Community Foundation.

Elmhorst also tackled a major undertaking in recent years: connecting the United Way’s and GiveWell’s boards for the “United Community Needs Assessment,” helping to create a 184-page document that identifies common economic barriers that limit residents’ access to necessities in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.

Elmhorst said it was particularly special to receive the award from last year’s winner, Barney Barnett.

“We’re following in their footsteps — we’re better philanthropists because of them,” Elmhorst said of the Barnetts.

She applauded United Way and GiveWell for working with each other to achieve what’s best for the community.

“They’re not like, ‘Don’t play in my sandbox,’” she said. “They want to work with the community. Seeing those organizations work together is just an example of what can happen.”

Elmhorst moved to Lakeland when she was 10 years old. She graduated from Lakeland High School and Florida Southern College. She is married to Kurt and they have two grown children, Kelsey and Kale.

Difference-Maker — Stuart Baldick

Stuart Baldick, 39, owns and operates Stuart’s Plumbing. The UWCF board singled him out for being a young leader who exemplifies a heart for making an impact on their community, a commitment to continuous community service and a vision for improving lives and strengthening the community.

Baldick is an active member of:

• The Young Leaders Society.
• Alexis de Tocqueville Society.
• Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.

Baldick has spearheaded industry statewide apprenticeship programs and worked with Southeastern University to establish its new trades program. He is also working with Travis Technical College and Polk County Builders Association to fortify their education initiatives within the plumbing industry.

He also serves on the board of a local missions organization that completes construction projects — not only sponsoring his employees to participate in these projects but also paying their wages while they are serving.

Baldick also:

• Volunteers with his local congregation as a Royal Rangers Commander.
• Sponsors Lakeland City Baseball.
• Supports local start-ups and multiple nonprofits.

“This individual embodies the word generosity,” UWCF leaders said. “The love for his community reaches far and wide.”

Baldick said he was deeply honored to be recognized.

“I was very surprised — I didn’t know that I had been nominated,” said Baldick. “I was in a lot of shock to be in the room with the caliber of people I was in and then to realize they were talking about me up there. It was very emotional. I didn’t see it coming.”

Baldick graduated from Lakeland Senior High School. He and his Tayler have two children, Jordyn and Wesley.

Editor’s note: LkldNow was a media partner for the event.