FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Attending to help support the launch of the new Flagler Community Endowment Fund, speakers Bob Snyder and Laura Gilvary shared their personal reasons for supporting the fund, before receiving more than applause at the annual Power of the Purse luncheon on Monday, hosted by Women United Flagler.
Before 160 guests at the sold-out Hammock Dunes Club event, Snyder, who donated along with his wife Michele to the endowment fund, accepted the “Key to Flagler’s Future” award, alongside Gilvary, representing Intracoastal Bank.
While sharing her professional reasons for giving, Gilvary encouraged others to give generously, creating an opportunity to assist a family, a mother, a child, in need.
“I am so incredibly grateful to get to work with a locally owned community bank. In the course of my career in the financial services industry, this is truly a highlight, and this endowment donation is such a key component of it,” she said.
“I just want to say, the commitment to the United Way partnership runs beyond just cutting checks. Our founding CEO sat on their board, Bruce Page, our President, current President and CEO sat on their board, Ryan Page. We now have Doug Reece on their board. I have served on multiple committees over the course of time and I think it’s not just treasure that makes a difference. We walk that talk,” said Gilvary.
“In addition, we encourage our teammates to give on an annual basis to the earlier point of how we contribute,” she added noting that the 47 employees at Intracoastal Bank who give just one percent of their salary, receive a paid time off day for their reinvestment in the community.
“So just think, when you go back to your office or circle of influence, that you think of creative ways to engage in the community,” she said before sharing her personal reasons for supporting the United Way.
It was her candid personal story that touched a nerve in listeners.
“I was raised in extreme, extreme conditions. By that I mean I had two parents who were addicts, at different times of the course of my life. We were victims of sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and physical abuse,” shared Gilvary.
“This is about breaking cycles for people. That’s what this is about today. It’s an incredible blessing for me to be part of something like this. I really encourage you to become part of this endowment. It will never go away. That’s why we are doing it.”
Continuing the Legacy
Women United Flagler have made helping the community their mission. Hosting the annual Power of the Purse event offers women from all sectors of the community a chance to get involved, network, and make a tangible impact in the community.
Vice President of Resource Development for the Community Foundation, United Way Volusia-Flagler Counties Sheila Pillath, is excited about what the new endowment means.
“If you love Flagler County, this is an opportunity to really invest in the organizations that help people in Flagler County. Right now, a lot of people in Flagler County are having to go to other counties to get help. The resources just don’t exist as comprehensively as they could be in Flagler County,” she said.
“What this endowment fund will do is invest in resources here in this county. And reinvest. That’s how an endowment works. We are actually seeding it with $250,000 ourselves and then we invite the community (to give), because our grand goal is $6 million. I know that sounds like a lofty goal, but with $6 million dollars this fund will be able to put $250,000 back into the community every year forever. Just think about that. Every year we’ll be able to invest in local nonprofits to expand their services, build capacities so that people right here in this county don’t have to go to other counties if the services exist here.”
Honoring Michelle and Bob Snyder and also Intracoastal Bank as founding members of the Flagler Community Endowment Fund helped set the tone among guests.
“I really think it’s a testament to how much people love Flagler. If you love where you live, you want to invest in where you live, and so this is a really great opportunity for them to be able to do that not only through the Power of the Purse but especially through this endowment fund that serves specifically Flagler County,” said Pillath.
“That’s what we’ve heard over and over is tell us more about what you do in Flagler County and do we know that our dollars are staying here. Yes, they are.”
Visit Volusia & Flagler Community Foundation for more information.
