About 'The View from the Bay Cares':
The View from the Bay is launching a new segment focusing on ordinary people who do extraordinary things. "View from the Bay Cares" will highlight people who devote their time and energy to helping neighbors, friends, and the community. The finalists will be featured in a weekly segment every Friday in July.
UNITED WAY RESPONDS
The current economic crisis is pushing neighbors, co-workers and friends to the edge -- some for the first time in their lives. No one should have to choose between filling a prescription and buying food.
You can help families weather this financial storm -- whether you volunteer your time, advocate for nonprofits facing enormous strain or give a gift.
United Way has launched the Road to Recovery campaign, focused on providing instant response to struggling families, connecting them to immediate relief, while providing the support necessary for a long-term recovery. This is the time for the Bay Area to come together.
>> Read more about The Road to Recovery
- Bay Area families are in crisis. The global economic crisis is pushing more Bay Area working families into dire economic straits – some for the first time in their lives. At the same time, the nonprofits that serve our community are being pinched, forced to cut staff and programs, even as demand for their services surges. (United Way's Nonprofit Pulse Survey, May 28, 2009: One-third of Bay Area Nonprofits Struggle to Survive)
- As the community's nonprofit leader, United Way responds: To respond to this urgent situation, United Way is has launched the Road to Recovery campaign, a special appeal to donors to ensure Bay Area nonprofits can continue to serve low-wage, working families, who have been hit hardest by the economic crisis. The campaign asks for increased help in the form of donations, volunteer hours and getting information to people in need.
- Bay Area nonprofits are counting on you. Their loyal supporters, for essential resources. Now, more than ever, it is so important for everyone who can to step up now and support our community's nonprofits. Please give today.
- Call 2-1-1 to give or get help. You can also make a donation to Road to Recovery at www.uwba.org.
United Way of the Bay Area is a nonprofit organization that creates pathways to prosperity for the most vulnerable in our community by focusing on the essential building blocks of education, income and health. We help children achieve their potential, promote financial stability for low-wage adults and strive to improve health for everyone. Each year, we raise more than $40 million to support community organizations. United Way also convenes partners across sectors, advocates for policy change, runs community programs and educates residents about the issues most vital to a resilient community. Founded in 1922, United Way of the Bay Area serves Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Solano Counties. For more information, visit www.uwba.org. About Anne Wilson, Chief Executive Officer
Anne joined United Way of the Bay Area (UWBA) in 1980, and was named the first female CEO in 2000. Under her leadership, UWBA has transformed into a community-impact organization that brings together resources and people to address the Bay Area's most pressing challenges. To these ends, Anne has championed several UWBA programs, including:
Anne has a Master's of Social Welfare degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University. She lives in San Rafael, California, with her husband Richard Cohn and their two children.
About Cheryl Williams, Regional VP, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii
Cheryl Williams has more than 23 years of sales and marketing experience in the hospitality industry. In her current position as Starwood's Regional Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Hawaii and French Polynesia, Cheryl is responsible for the overall sales, advertising, public relations and interactive marketing efforts for these regions.
She previously served as Director of Sales & Marketing, Hawaii and French Polynesia, from 2000 to 2006, and was Director of Leisure Sales & Marketing from June 1998 to 2000. She also was Director of Sales & Marketing for Sheraton Waikiki Hotel from 1994 to 1998 and Director of Sales & Marketing for Royal Hawaiian Hotel from 1990 to 1994. Prior to these positions, she had been in similar sales and marketing roles for Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts for eight years, from 1982 to 1990.
Cheryl currently serves on HVCB's Marketing Committee, Starwood's Regional Six Sigma Council and Starwood's Leisure Travel Advisory Board. Cheryl is the past chair of the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau Meetings Sales Committee, past President of the Aloha Chapter of MPI, past President of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association, and past chair of the Oahu Visitor Bureau Travel Trade committee. In addition, In June 2004, Governor Linda Lingle appointed her to the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors where she served as interim Board member for a one-year period.
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) named Cheryl Williams, regional vice president of sales & marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii and French Polynesia, to its prestigious list of "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing" for 2007. The annual ranking recognizes the best leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism sales and marketing. She was also recently presented with the "Founders Award" from Meeting Planners International – Aloha Chapter. Cheryl has received numerous other awards including MPI S, California Chapters Star Supplier Award, Sheraton Hawaii Region Sales Team of the Year and Special Achievement Awards, as well as Outstanding Leadership award from the Hawaii & French Polynesia Region Six Sigma Council. In 2006, Cheryl was nominated for the Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Presidents Award.
For more information on booking Starwood's "Endless Summer Escape" vacation packages which contribute to United Way's "Road to Recovery," please visit: www.endlesssummerescape.com | www.starwoodhawaii.com
Starwood properties include:
Starwood Hotel & Resorts | Sheraton | Westin | The Luxury Collection | St Regis
