Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt proclaimed 2023 as the Year of United Way during the April 11 city council meeting in honor of United Way of Central Oklahoma’s 100th Anniversary.

“We are excited and blessed beyond measure to have the support of the City of Oklahoma City throughout our Centennial Year,” UWCO President and CEO Debby Hampton said. “We extend our gratitude to Mayor Holt, city council members and city employees for celebrating our special anniversary with us.”

UWCO 2023-2024 Board Chair Shane Wharton, who is the president of Love’s Travel Stops, accepted the proclamation following the reading, thanking the council for their constant support of the nonprofit sector.

“It is an honor to be United Way’s board chair during its 100th Anniversary,” Wharton said. “United Way has served the central Oklahoma community with compassion since 1923, and will continue to do so for the next 100 years.”

Throughout its century, UWCO has raised more than $700 million for the central Oklahoma community and beyond. UWCO’s five original Partner Agencies — Boy Scouts of America, Last Frontier Council, Salvation Army, Central Oklahoma Area Command, Sunbeam Family Services, YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City and YWCA Oklahoma City — were also recognized during the proclamation reading.

UWCO supports more than 100 health and human service programs at 70-plus Partner Agencies in central Oklahoma, Canadian and Logan counties.