United Way of Orange County celebrated its 100th anniversary at the 2026 Annual Meeting & Banquet, with approximately 150 guests on the RSVP list—including elected officials, nonprofit partners, donors, volunteers, and business leaders—gathering to honor a century of service and a year of meaningful impact. Originally chartered in 1926 as the Orange Community Chest, the organization has evolved through decades of change while remaining committed to improving lives across Orange County. The centennial event featured special recognitions, including a 100-Year Historical Certificate, a Key to the City of Orange presented by Mayor Larry Spears Jr., and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition on behalf of Congressman Randy Weber. Leadership highlighted major 2025 accomplishments such as the launch of SETXVolunteers.org, record Day of Caring participation, impactful grant investments across its focus areas, successful fundraising events, and volunteer initiatives like Feed the Funnel and Project Angel Tree, along with achieving United Way Worldwide Membership Certification. New board members and officers were installed for 2026–2027, and leaders emphasized that the centennial celebration will continue throughout 2026—honoring the past while engaging a new generation to build a stronger, more resilient Orange County.
Photo Credit: Kimberly Manning Images