Emmy-award-winning speaker and Birmingham native Timothy Alexander believes that helping people help people is what keeps hope alive. He brought that message to United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) Annual Campaign Kickoff on September 5th at The Club, where partner agencies and local companies gathered to officially begin the 2025 fundraising campaign.
Alexander shared his journey from a promising high school athlete to an advocate for resilience after a car accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors told him he would never walk, talk or achieve much of anything. “They were wrong,” he told the crowd.
After Alexander graduated from Wallace State Community College, he enrolled at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), becoming the first paraplegic to receive a football scholarship.
“We don’t need it to be easy, we just need it to be possible,” Alexander said. 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 was able to graduate high school and college.
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.”
WHY WE UNITE
This year’s campaign theme WHY WE UNITE reflects Alexander’s message.
“We unite because we’re human, too. We unite because one day we may need help, too,” Alexander said. “Sometimes in life, when you want to make a difference, you’ve got to accept being different. The way you measure your success is about how you help and how you try to serve a need for people.”
Mary White, who also spoke at the kickoff, shared her own story of resilience and the help she has received from United Way partner agencies since birth. Living with hydrocephalus, she has undergone 44 brain surgeries, yet today she thrives as both an advocate and an employee at Children’s of Alabama, where she was once a patient.
Like Alexander, she knows both what it means to depend on community support and what it feels like to give back.
“I would never be here today without United Way or its partner agencies,” Mary said. “They mean the world to me.”
Carrying Forward Hope
2025 Campaign Chair Trey Clegg announced the campaign goal of $37,650,000, drawing on his long history with United Way through his work with UWCA partner agency, United Ability. Clegg reflected on how mentorship from the late Dr. Gary Edwards, longtime executive director of United Ability, shaped his perspective on giving back.
Dr. Edwards often used the image of a lighthouse to describe hope, a vision Clegg carries forward.
“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.”
He added that UWCA not only provides immediate support but also works with partners 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.”
As tradition, the campaign builds on early momentum from the summer Pacesetter Campaign, led by Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED’s President and CEO Mike Suco. That effort raised $11,400,000 toward the larger goal.
Thank You to Our Campaign Kickoff Sponsors
For more information about all the ways United Way works in Central Alabama, visit uwca.org/impact.