Each year, United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) Visiting Allocation Team (VAT) helps make informed strategic decisions regarding funding to United Way’s 79 partner agencies, thus shaping programs that touch thousands of lives in our community. VAT members are local volunteers from all walks of life, representing a broad cross-section of Central Alabama. They’re divided into smaller teams – each led by a chairperson – and visit specific agencies to learn about the work they do, results they achieve and plans for the future.
One of those team leaders Virginia Staton, Managing Director at Deloitte, was recently honored as UWCA’s Bivins-Adams VAT Chair of the Year. The award, established in honor of long-time volunteers Chip Bivins and Tracey Morant Adams, recognizes the extraordinary leadership, dedication and service of Visiting Allocation Team chairs who embody the spirit of volunteerism that drives UWCA’s mission.
UWCA VAT volunteers give their time, talent and passion to help ensure that community resources are invested wisely and that UWCA partner agencies can continue making a meaningful impact across Central Alabama. Over the course of several weeks, volunteers commit 10 to 12 hours visiting agencies, meeting with staff and clients and learning how programs operate. Staton reflected on the immersive and enlightening experience that these visits can provide. “[The VAT experience] lets you see that the dollars go where they need to go,” she said. “When you visit these agencies, you see people who have passion for [fulfilling] a need.”
A Legacy Fueled by Service
In addition to volunteering with VAT, Staton is also a member of UWCA’s Board of Directors and has served on United Way’s Finance and Community Impact committees. And when UWCA expanded services into Chilton County in 2021, Staton chaired a team that assisted with onboarding new agencies.
UWCA President and CEO Drew Langloh presented Staton with the award at a VAT appreciation and recruitment event. “Virginia gives more than her time. She shares her knowledge, guidance and encouragement with agencies and fellow volunteers. Her dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment to United Way’s mission have made a lasting impact on our organization,” said Langloh.
Driving Change Through Personal Experience
Staton is passionate about playing a vital role in helping UWCA partner agencies impact the community. “[United Way partner agencies] are serving a need for our neighbors, for us and for our communities, and they partner with United Way to be better stewards of the money they receive,” said Staton. By visiting nonprofit organizations and hearing firsthand how they help people, volunteers can gain a deeper understanding of how United Way drives change across Central Alabama.
Reflecting on her personal experience, Staton shared some advice for anyone curious about volunteering with VAT. “Do this for our community but do it for yourself, as well,” she said. “Your heart will grow and you will get to meet new people who share your passion.”
To learn more about VAT, click here.