For 90 years, United Way of Miami-Dade — once known as Miami Community Chest and United Fund of Dade County — has served the community. The organization’s first campaign, a three-day fundraising push in April 1924, raised about $136,000 to support 12 local agencies. Ninety years later, In 2012-2013, total revenue reached $63 million. Early challenges for the charitable organization included the September 1926 hurricane that swept South Florida killing 113 people, followed by the stock market crash three years later. The organization has attracted some big-name donors over the years including gangster Al Capone, whose $1,000 gift was rejected, and William J. Matheson, a member of the pioneering Miami family, who bequeathed $40,000 in 1930.

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10/23/1961: Carrying a Torch. A most unique torch parade is staged at Cypress Gardens as lovely aquamaids carry the torch symbol to remind folks that it's United Fund time again. They obviously enjoyed splashing about on their water skis for the good cause.

4/9/1968, Joe Schuppe/Miami Herald Staff: Mrs Charles Finkelstein (left) incoming president of united fund and Mrs James I Keller outgoing president decorate small tree which might be symbolic for Fund's many branches.

11/3/1958, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: UF Worker, Mrs. Harry Broodner, begins Door-to-Door Drive....... her daughter Aimy joins in plea for $400,000.

11/20/1962, Ron Wohl/Miami Herald Staff: A Little Help. Alicia Coello, 4, a Cuban refugee, campaigns for the United Fund as the exile community began “Operation Thank You” Monday. Cuban exiles plan individual contributions to the two-week campaign in gratitude for the help received from Miamians. The Cuban Refugee Center, where this picture made, does not receive United Fund support.

12/10/1958: At top of Airlines Fund Graph are Joe Rebisz, Sam Edwards. Celebrating, too, are (bottom) Frank Griffen, Jay McGlon, Capt. E. Q. Ford and John Rafferty.

12/6/1963, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff: He's Pinned. Gladys Washington, who holds the title of “Miss Torch” for the Dade County United Fund, pins a button on Jorge Zayas Bazan, 5-year-old exile from Miami. Jorge joined thousands of exiles in donating to the United Fund. Last year, during a three-week campaign, more than 27,000 Cubans contributed to the United Fund in Dade County.

8/9/1961: United Fund.

11/5/1969, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Jan Viera, Miss United Fund, puts figures on giant of goal board.

10/9/1962, John Wlather/Miami Herald Staff: United Fund. Alex Lo Cascio - Hialeah.

11/3/1959, Mike Freeman/Miami Herald Staff: United Fund. North Miami City Employees donate 100% to UF.

9/30/1965, John Pineda/Miami Herald Staff: ‘Don't Be Blind To Need,’ Say United Fund Queen and Court. Left to right: Jo Ellen Pate, Carol Madonna, Queen Nellie Sutton, Laura Moore and Carol Hale.

11/5/1963: United Fund.

12/8/1962, Tom McCarthy/Miami Herald Staff: Ring the Bell! Waiting to be rung is one of ten telephones in a new building at NE 1st Ave. and Flagler St. The phones are there to receive what United Fund officials hope will be a deluge of calls. From this morning until Thursday night, pledges will be taken by newspapermen, columnists, disc jockeys, TV personalities and civic leaders in an effort to raise the remaining $409,570.

9/15/1962, Ron Wahl/Miami Herald Staff: PAINT JOB for the United Fund fall campaign has members of the Press-in proper attire - giving an assist to the Metro Engineering Department on Flagler Street at Miami Avenue. They're repairing the 350-feet thermometer which calls attention to the need for volunteers to help top the campaign goal of $2,847,962.

1/1/1964, Mike Freeman/Miami Herald Staff: Children From Day Nursery Get Ready to Post' New Standings meanwhile (from left), Veronica, Julie, Paul and Robin get in their licks. United Fund Contributions 5 Pct.--And Push Is On

9/11/1961: United Fund.

1/14/1960, John Walther/Miami Herald Staff: POT O’GOLD for the United Fund holds $70,375 and it boosts donations in the campaign to $2,109,711. Looming over the money raised by the Gold Ball are United Fund President, Ex-Sen. Harry Cain, and Mrs. James Lowell Oakes, ball chairman. The ball was put on by members of the Surf Club, Bath Club, Indian Creek County Club, LaGorce Country Club, and Committee of 100. UF goal.is $3,635,729.

10/12/1972, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: United Fund Luncheon at UF.

11/19/1964, Mike Freeman/Miami Herald Staff: Calls for Aid. A cCombination of volunteers and telephones for the desired end result of reaching the 100 percent figure set by the United Fund. Pitching in with other agencies and individual volunteers is the Dade County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Nine telephones have been installed at chapter headquarters, and armed with lists of previous United Fund donors, the volunteers are at work on the nearly 15 per cent needed before the campaign closes Tuesday.

11/8/1961, Bill Kuenzel/Miami Herald Staff: Miss Torch, Carol Aranda, Bongs a Gong For Big Contributions... E.F. Swenson leads first United Fund report meeting

10/31/1960, John Pineda/Miami Herald Staff: Temperatures UF. Miami Jaycees painted the town ... er, street, red Sunday. They plastered a 350-foot long thermometer up E. Flagler St. from Miami Ave. to SE First Ave. It will record the degree-by-degree progress of the United Fund's campaign to raise $3,255,445 between Nov. 1 and Dec. 19. Herald Staff Photographer Johnny Pineda (inset) climbed to his lofty position atop a fireman's ladder to capture this view of the Jaycees at work on the street- painting project.