LIVE UNITED Y’All!

Pictured, L to R: Wes Beckner, Don Gossman, Kent Oyler, Joe Tolan- Metro United Way President and CEO, Marsha Biven and Joe Brown. Not pictured: Leon Mooneyhan and Bob McIntosh.

To bring a perfect ending to Volunteer Month, Metro United Way named seven outstanding community volunteers as winners of the 2010 Presidential Service Award. With passions including healthcare and education, each Presidential Service Award recipient has worked tirelessly to make people’s lives better. One exceptional individual was chosen from each of the counties served by Metro United Way.

“I am extremely excited to present these awards and to thank these incredibly giving volunteers, says Wes Beckner, Group/State President-Kentucky BB&T and Chairman of the Board of Metro United Way. “All of them exemplify what it means to Live United: a tireless dedication to Metro United Way, and a selfless commitment to improving lives and making our community stronger for us all,” adds Beckner.

In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was formed to recognize the valuable contributions of volunteers in local communities.  It created the Presidential Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.  Each Metro United Way Presidential Service Award winner receives a letter of congratulations from President Barack Obama, an official Presidential Service Award lapel pin and a personalized certificate of achievement.

Two of the winners, entrepreneur Kent Oyler of Jefferson County, KY, and retired Marine Lieutenant Bob McIntosh of Clark County, IN, also received the Lifetime Presidential Achievement Award.

Check out this article on our website for bios on each of these remarkable volunteers!

Volunteering Live United, Presidential Volunteer Service Award

By Sommer Lally

What is a volunteer?

Is it the person who picks up trash on the side of the road for a few hours?  Someone who takes their time to paint a room at a local non-profit organization?  Is it a University of Tennessee sports team?

Yes and no. 

You see, all of those are examples of volunteers, but the word “volunteer” means more than we often picture in our minds. 

Here, I’ll give you an example.  As part of my job at Metro United Way, I manage our Student United Ways (campus chapters through which student leaders advance the common good, develop leadership skills and join the growing Live United movement).  Working with the student leaders at U of L and IUS is a wonderful experience.  I get to help them grow in their roles with the organizations and watch them gain a deeper knowledge of the community.  But I also witness their struggles and frustrations.

Both Student United Ways underwent the tedious process of becoming registered student organizations on their campuses this year.  The initial stages of establishing the groups took time.  As a result neither were able to organize as many events and activities as they had hoped. 

What does this have to do with volunteers?  Hang on!  You’re about to find out!

U of L Student United Way leaders volunteering with Blanket Louisville.

In a recent conversation with one of my student leaders she lamented “we haven’t really gotten to do much volunteering and that was the whole reason I wanted to join!”  Do you see what I’m getting at?

Volunteers aren’t just those who give of their time to do hands-on projects!  They’re also board members, committee members and . . . student leaders.  In my view, my student leader had been volunteering all year long through her leadership position with Student United Way.  Don’t get me wrong – I’ll help them plan more volunteer projects next year, but I also want them to feel good about their volunteer role with us and to know how appreciated they are!

So, to our Board members, committee members and Student United Way leaders, thank you for volunteering with Metro United Way.  You are so important to us and we are better because of you!

General, Volunteering Community, IUS, Live United, Student United Way, UofL

By Kate McNatt

Metro United Way wants to thank all the kind folks at General Electric, who just donated 4,600 portable space heaters to people in need during these cold winter months. Metro United Way will be the leader in distributing the space heaters, and the Salvation Army, a Metro United Way agency, is going to serve as the distribution site.

There are two opportunities to get involved (see below).  Volunteers will be handling boxes of heaters and should be able to lift up to 36 lbs.  Boxes may be dusty or dirty so please dress accordingly.  If you can help, please call Patty Belden at 502-292-6152 or email patty.belden@metrounitedway.org.  As always, thanks for your support!

Thursday January 14th – Distribution to Agencies

Location: Salvation Army

6709 Preston Highway

Louisville, KY 40219

Shift A: 1:00pm – 3:00pm         Volunteers Needed = 6

Shift B: 3:00pm – 5:00pm         Volunteers Needed = 6

Shift C: 5:00pm – 7:00pm         Volunteers Needed = 6

Friday January 15^th – Distribution to Agencies

Location: Salvation Army

6709 Preston Highway

Louisville, KY 40219

Shift A:  8:00am – 10:00am      Volunteers Needed = 6

Shift B: 10:00am – 12:00pm     Volunteers Needed = 6

Shift C: 12:00pm – 2:00pm       Volunteers Needed = 6

Events, General, Volunteering Community, Live United, making a difference, opportunity, Volunteer

By David Caldwell

I’ve never been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. I always figured that if you really want to make a change in your life you should just do it – don’t wait for a “special” day to make it happen. That changed for me last year.

Since college I’ve been a non-smoker…sort of. I’ve always been that guy who might have a pack of cigarettes in his truck while he tells you he doesn’t smoke. I know how horrible the habit is for your health – I saw the black lung in science class too. I know how addictive the practice is – my dad smoked for 30 plus years. None of that ever stopped me from “kinda” smoking. I justified it to myself because I wasn’t a “real” smoker. I just smoked when I drank, or was really stressed, or it was Tuesday – you know, just a little. I was the familiar stranger in the smokers’ circle.

As the ball drops this year, I’ll be kissing my sweetheart with smoke-free breath, and celebrating 365 days without a cigarette. My goal is a lot more years of the same, but for now I’ll celebrate the first one.

So what are you resolving to do this year? If you haven’t quite decided, let me make a suggestion. Make a resolution to make a difference in the life of a child.

You could donate some books to the child care center down the street. You could volunteer to teach an art activity at your child’s school. You could find a way to be a role model for the kids across town and across the street that need a few more caring adults in their lives. You could write a check to your favorite child focused agency. You could call your legislator and tell them to make children more of a priority when they make decisions.

Think about all you’ll have to celebrate after a year of working to improve the life of a child. If you want to give, advocate, or volunteer, you can visit our website. If you want a few more ideas or some help in making your resolution a reality, let me know. Have a wonderful holiday, and ring in the New Year in a meaningful way!

Photo Credit: maxxtraffic

Advocacy, Giving, Volunteering Children, Live United, making a difference, opportunity, Volunteer

By Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

I will admit that I love how Hank can bellow….Are you ready for some FOOTBALL? And, I am. I am ready and excited about the hiring of Coach Charlie Strong for the University of Louisville so I will attribute this seemingly football inspired United Way blog to this fact. The recent press conference introducing the new Coach won me over when he shared his heart and emotion over the joy of attaining his career dream of a head coaching position and the opportunity to lead a program. It was so easy to feel his sincerity when he spoke and now it will be even easier to pull for his success both on the field and in the community.

It continues to be an exciting time of year in NFL football also as the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals continue to rack up the W’s. While these two teams are perhaps the closest we have in our region to a home NFL team, it doesn’t matter whether you are a Colts fan or on the “Who-Dey” train right now, the NFL is deserving of recognition for the longstanding partnership and support of the United Way movement. Did you know that for 35 years, thispartnership has been a shining example of the tangible good that can be leveraged into a powerful vehicle for real change in people’s lives and the community?  Check out how the NFL LIVES UNITED and see if you can find one of your team’s favorite players too!

Yes, Tis the season for football and also for giving thanks and sharing. The words THANK YOU are two of the most powerful words you can speak, share and that you can hear. Thank you for helping make our community a better place to live and work.  If you gave in your campaign at work for United Way, thank you for caring and sharing to help change the lives of those who pass by you every day. The change we strive to create at Metro United Way doesn’t happen without you. Don’t just take my word for it….take a quick look at our recent field trip. It was a LIVE UNITED thank you tour. Check it out and you will see how we surprised a few loyal donors while they were working. I think you can imagine their surprise and you can also see the strong feelings created with an in-person and heartfelt thank you.

Advocacy, Events, General, Giving, Volunteering Charlie Strong, Common good, community change, Football, Live United, Louisville, NFL, passion, thank you, United Way

I know I’m not the only one who loves a coupon, with rising prices and economic uncertainty. We all are looking for a deal and making tough choices.

A while back, I mentioned here that the LIVE UNITED Club would be a new feature to the 2009 campaign.

So many people in our community step up year after year and we not only want to thank you but make it a little easier to keep giving. You can be a member if you

• Give a minimum of $156/year (or $3/week through your workplace) to Metro United Way and
• Provide your home address and personal e-mail address.

If you don’t already, visit Metro United Way’s website to give $156/year (or $3/week through your workplace) and join the LIVE UNITED Club!

Beginning in January, you will be e-mailed a pdf of your own LIVE UNITED Club card for you to print and place in your wallet. Simply show this card at participating local businesses… like Wick’s, Fantastic Sams, Republic Bank and many more…. to receive your discounts.  Check out the LIVE UNITED Club web page to see the great offers we’ve already lined up for you from local businesses that want to thank you for helping your community.

You will also receive discounts from national partners when you provide your personal e-mail address. You will be sent an access code for mycaringclub.org to receive special offers from national merchants. These discounts will be available only through this web site. Depending on the retailer, discounts may be printable coupons for in-store use or a promotional code for on-line use. Current discounts will be good through February 2011 and will be continually updated.

General, Giving Economy, Giving, Live United, LIVE UNITED Club

Advocacy, General Live United, stories, success story

I recently found myself sitting with the question, “what I have I really done to make a difference for kids lately?” I work for a non-profit agency. I direct an early childhood initiative. In theory, I do things everyday that help make the world a better place, but what have I REALLY done lately?

Just as I was getting really down on myself, I saw a thank you note from a preschool class that I have hanging on my office wall. It thanks me for reading to them. I remembered that experience, and it made me smile. The most important thing it did was remind me that it is the small things we do for individuals that probably makes the most difference.

Last week I volunteered to accompany a dozen 12 and 13 year-olds on a field trip to the pool. It seemed like an easy gig; go the pool, play around, eat a grilled cheese sandwich. The next morning my neck revealed to me that maybe it wasn’t such a relaxing time. Apparently the hours of “Let’s dunk that tall guy” (the official name of the game) that I played took a little bit of a toll.

The week before that, my friend Charles took his nephew and crew to Cedar Point for the day. Again, it seemed like another excuse to have fun, ride a few roller coasters, eat some funnel cake, and take a few funny pictures…no problem. I think he slept for 24 hours straight when he got back.

What’s the point of these stories? Well, I think that Charles and I have the same goals in mind – we want these young people to know that they have people in their lives who care about them…people who are willing to sacrifice their time (and bodies) to do what they want to do.  We know that’s one of the things kids need.

So I have done something to make a difference lately. What have you done lately to make a difference? Here are 150 ways to show kids you care. I challenge you to pick something off the list. Find a young person, and make it happen (make sure get their parent or guardian’s permission).

Tell me about your experience. Let’s share the stories so we all feel good. What other ideas do you have to make a difference for young people?

Photo credit: Gary Simmons

Advocacy, General Children, Common good, Community, Live United, making a difference, youth

Do you ever watch something that just gives you chills? When I saw this video, I got goose bumps: http://www.give5forall.org/

Created by our very own Erin McMahon [ed. note - with help from United Way of America!], it really resonates with me, because it focuses on a place I really care about – Kentuckiana. I wanted to share it with you because I think you will love it too! So hurry, go watch it, right now…

Leave me a comment and let me know if you feel the same way too!

General, Giving Change the World, Common good, Live United

by Priscilla Henken

I recently got into the art of origami, specifically paper cranes, and have been practicing by making cranes of different sizes for my co-workers in my spare time. They love them and it gives me a chance to show off my new skill. Well, last week another co-worker from the other side of the building was in the Marketing Department and saw one of my particularly good specimens sitting on the desk of my boss. He was impressed and when he found out that I had made it he came to my office to tell me this story which has inspired hope for so many people across the world.

At the end of World War II when the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, many people who survived ended up with severe radiation sickness and cancer. One such citizen was a young girl by the name of Sadako Sasaki. She was 2 when the bomb hit a little more than a mile from her home in Hiroshima. For the next 10 years she would struggle with health issues until finally in 1955, at age 12, she was diagnosed with leukemia and less than a year to live.

While she was in the hospital a friend brought her a square of golden paper, folded a crane out of it and told her the legend that if she could fold 1,000 paper cranes then she would get a wish. Sadako was inspired and began folding. Even though she had plenty of time in the hospital for folding, she lacked paper. She would use anything she could find and would even go into other patients rooms to ask for the paper from their get well presents. Her friends from school would bring her paper when they would come to visit but it still wasn’t enough. Sadako never finished her cranes. She died after spending 8 months in the hospital and making 644 cranes. After she died her friends and family got together, finished her cranes and buried all 1,000 with her.

Though Sadako did not finish her cranes, she had set something in motion. In the years since Sadako’s death there have been several books written about her legacy as well as a play and a few songs. There is a statue of Sadako holding a golden crane erected in Hiroshima as a memorial to her and the other children that lost their lives. All of this has morphed into a mass movement of the people of the world. Each year, millions gather across the world to fold paper cranes for peace and justice across the globe.

What came from Sadako’s suffering shows how one person can make a difference and that if people care it can lead to a huge movement for a common cause. This is a wonderful example of what it means to LIVE UNITED in your community. Imagine if we could be so moved in our community without having to let anyone hurt for any amount of time. We could change our community dramatically and it could even lead to a change in the world. All you have to do is go online and find out how you can volunteer your time to make a difference.

Flickr photo: MarkyBon

Advocacy, General, Volunteering Hiroshima, Live United, Paper Cranes, Sadako Sasaki, Volunteer