LIVE UNITED Y’All!

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

Thank a Youth Worker Day

November 5, 2009

By: Kerri Cokeley

I’m sure that we can all think back to our childhood and recall youth workers who positively impacted our lives. Teachers, coaches, counselors, and lunch ladies (and lunch men) are just a few examples of the people who work fulltime tending to our youth. Far too often their hard work goes unnoticed.

This Thursday 11/5 is a special day set aside for us all to say “thank you” to the people making a difference in the lives children. Whether it is someone who is working with your children today, or someone who influenced you in childhood, can you take a couple minutes to let them know how important they are?

For more information on this national effort, visit www.thankayouthworkerday.org.

Education making a difference, thanks, youth, Youth Worker

Giving campaign, caring, indifference, making a difference, sharing

By Kerri Cokeley

This past January, my Grandmammy passed away. This was a hard time for me. I had spent the previous ten years helping care for her, and though her health was not the best, her death was quite sudden. As I sat at the funeral home preparing the arrangements the following day, I realized that I was so thankful that I had no regrets. I cared for her the best that I could, I learned as much as I could from her, and every time we saw each other we expressed our love for one another.

The feelings that have sunk in for me following her departure mostly relate to the recognition that I have lost all four of my blood grandparents. A whole generation is now gone from my family. Am I prepared to help fill this void?

Just as I finally start to come to the conclusion that, yes, I am ready and able to step up, I get hit with another blow. A text message came with the news that Helen, a second mother to me as a teenager, had passed away. How can this be? I’m just barely able to step up to the loss of my grandparents, I’m definitely not ready to start losing the next tier, my parents.

I expect that it will take a very long time for me to cope with and be ready to fill the void that will ultimately be left by the loss of the immediate next generation. However, it takes me to a new reflection. When I am gone, what will I have accomplished? I’ve thought about this many times before, but not in such a desperate, mortal kind of way.

Even several days later as I re-read Helen’s obituary, my eyes swell up at the third paragraph. Despite the unfortunate health situation that had plagued her for many years, she still found a way to make the world a little better than she found it. I hope that I can do the same. Don’t you?

Helen Frances Graber

POSTED: August 18, 2009

Helen Frances Graber, 49, of Matlacha, FL died at her residence on Aug. 14, 2009 after battling 20 years of illness and pain.

She was born to William G. and Kathleen F. (Preston) Graber on Feb. 2, 1960 in Louisville, KY. Helen moved to Matlacha in 2003 to be close to her only child and her grandchildren.

She was formerly from Clarksville, IN. where she spent many years working as an LPN caring for others. Her caring did not stop with her work, she was known for her open heart and open door policy. Many times she provided a needed refuge for countless teenagers that had nowhere else to go and no one else that cared. She made sure all had a warm place to stay, food to eat and most of all someone who cared.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Lynne Scalf, son-in-law, Stephen S. Scalf, grandchildren, Ashlynne Jade Scalf and Stephen Sebastian Scalf, of Bokellia. Other survivors include brothers, Norman D. Graber of Tuscon, AZ. and George P. Graber of Matlacha and a sister, Patricia L. Murphy also of Matlacha. She was preceded in death by both parents and a brother, Billy (Apple) Graber who died in 1979.

General Change the World, community service, future, making a difference

When I first started with Metro United Way almost seven years ago, I staffed what was then the Success By 6 Child Care Action Team. This team had developed several strategies about how to support child care providers in their efforts to provide high quality child care for young children and how to ensure that working families had access to affordable high quality child care.

One of the strategies that this team chose to focus on was the promotion of Work/Life Balance and the recognition of companies that offered their employees family-friendly policies. This seemed like a good idea to me. I was on board with this strategy. I thought that it was important. However, it wasn’t until after I had my own child that I realized just how hard it is to balance all the work life stuff, and I work at one of those places that is pretty supportive of me in my role as a parent.

I’ve talked to lots of my girlfriends about this and it seems to ring true for every single mom that I know that works outside of the home. The basic problem is that you never feel like you can give enough to anything that you do.

I constantly feel guilty that I am not giving enough of myself to my son, my husband, my job, my friends, my family or myself. I worry that the time that I spend with Luke during the week is too limited and that the hours that I am home are spent preparing dinner, getting him bathed and into bed at a reasonable time. Sure, there is some time in there for us to play, read and snuggle, but it doesn’t really seem like enough time to devote to the most important thing in my life!

I also fret that I don’t give enough of myself to my work. (Trust me when I say that my husband clearly disagrees with me on this.) I think I have a really important job. It is a big goal to ensure that all of the children in our community are healthy, safe, nurtured and prepared to succeed in school. Sometimes I think that having a person in my position who could work a sixty hour work week is what is needed to actually achieve that goal.

And then there are all of the other important life factors that seem not to get the attention that they deserve: my husband (sorry honey!), my friends, my family, and not to be selfish but ME!

And here’s the thing: I know that I have it good. I am lucky to work for an organization that values its employees and their families. When I was breastfeeding, I had an office that I could comfortably close the door and pump milk for my baby. I have fantastic co-workers who I can call upon when Luke is sick and they will cover for me. I have the flexibility to schedule Parent/Teacher conferences at Luke’s school during the workday when his teachers are available. I have volunteer hours that I can choose to use by spending time at my son’s school helping out in the classroom or on Board projects.

I am grateful for the technology that is available to me so that I can check e-mail and work on electronic files from home.

I once heard a speaker refer to a study about Generation X parents like me. We don’t want to miss our kids’ soccer games or school events. So, although we may slip out of the office early for that kind of thing, we make up for it by checking e-mail or doing work after our kids are in bed. Hey, if nothing else, we recognize and strive for a Work/Life Balance in a way that many of our Baby Boomer parents couldn’t.

How’s your balance working out?

Photo Credit: James Jordan

General Life, making a difference, Success By 6

By David Caldwell

Think back to when you started kindergarten. If you didn’t go to kindergarten just think back to when you were a little kid. If you’re my dad, find someone who remembers when you were a little kid and ask them to remind you.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a paleontologist. I thought dinosaurs were the coolest things ever, and I wanted to dig up their bones. Over the years, my career aspirations have changed, but my desire to be something awesome has not. (I still think dinosaurs are just about the coolest things ever by the way.)

This year in Kentuckiana about 12,000 kids will begin kindergarten. How do you think they would answer that question? Probably the same way we did. Astronaut. Teacher. Fire Fighter. Rock Star. Doctor. President.

I bet that none of them said they wanted to be a drug dealer, or a prostitute, or living on the streets, or in jail. The reality is that some of them will end up in those situations and many more that we all would consider equally as horrible.

We can change that. We can turn those horrible realities into wonderful possibilities. We can give children hope. We can make them believe in themselves. We can give them the tools they need to be successful.

How? That’s what Metro United Way Success By 6 is working on. Our goal is that by 2018, all children will enter kindergarten prepared to be successful in school and life.

We need your help. What ideas do you have? What are you willing to work on? What support do you need? Let us know. Visit the website, give me a call (502-292-6157). Let’s make this happen – together!!!

Photo Credit: boynumber1

Advocacy, Education Children, make change, making a difference, Success By 6

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

I wasn’t aware when it was occurring, but it seems I was raised to think serving others is an important thing to do. Perhaps by osmosis, as I saw my mom be the Boy Scout leader or my dad help neighborhood kids work on their cars, I recognized serving others is important.

So as a fairly new member in my church, I was looking for a place to help out. The morning bulletins showed several needs in the church such as child care, building maintenance and hospitality committee. I decided to serve through the Audio/Video Team; it looked easy enough to click through the words that keep us all singing the right songs. Well, I guess I should have researched a little better before I signed up. This role needs to be present for the Wednesday night choir practice, prepping the slides before hand and also be present an hour and a half before church to run through everything again. So hearing me grumble about how this community service is asking more of me than I thought would be required, imagine my embarrassment and humiliation when I heard of a friend’s commitment to serve others.

Debbie has been on a bone marrow registry for about six years from a registry drive for a local attorney. Short story is that she has gone through the testing and is a match for a 14-year-old girl with leukemia. The harvest is set for July 9^th. So as I’m grumbling about the two hours extra a week that I’ve committed to – Debbie is giving up several vacation days, expecting a few days of stiffness, undergoing full anesthesia for the procedure and donating a life giving piece of herself. Hmmph, makes my AV service feel a bit trivial. She always has been the over achiever.

So join with me as we pray for the bone marrow recipient, the doctors involved and Debbie that all goes well and it is a life saving success for the recipient.

Now, my message is not that you need to be a hero and the only service that counts is the big stuff. That is not true. You need to serve where you are and however you can. All service is important. My message is to serve joyfully, be thankful that you CAN serve and also recognize there are times when you may receive the services and to do that joyfully also.

For more info about bone marrow donation go to www.bethematch.org

Jan and Debbie

General, Volunteering Change the World, Community, community service, Live United, making a difference

As I write this blog, I’m reflecting on spending several days recently at United Way of America’s Staff Leaders Conference held in Detroit, Michigan.  With 1400 individuals from large and small community United Way organizations across the US (and several from other countries,) it was a time to convene and leverage best practices, experience camaraderie and learning with peers, and to share how we can change things for the better in tough economic times when we put our energy into programs that impact education, income and health.

I have a long list of learning moments and a shorter list of nuggets and a-ha’s that came back with me from time in the Big D. For the Millennials and Gen X’ers out there I will share them here in a format of my 10 random thoughts on the SLC experience…

1.  Detroit is a really beautiful river (I think it was a river) city that looks over at Windsor Canada.

2.  Arne Duncan, our US Secretary of Education, is an amazing advocate for education who has many great ideas on how to strengthen schools and communities.

3.  Eli Lilly, Kellogg, Wells Fargo and General Mills walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to caring about the community and advancing the common good in their workplace and the world …kudos for Spirit of America award winners

4.  We need to LEAN IN to our work during these times and be proactive about speaking up, creating change, and inviting others to join the work and make a difference

5.  The high school drop out rate in Detroit is currently over 70% … so alarming!

6.  You can more successfully bridge generational gaps when you understand the unique perspectives and differences between the four generations and how this also plays out in how and why different generations give of their time and resources

7.  United Way has worked with the American Human Development Project to develop a tool called the Common Good Forecaster™ which will empower our communities across the nation to track our progress in areas of health, education and standards of living.

8.  To get around you can catch the People Mover which is remarkably running very low on people in Detroit right now due to the extremely depressed business environment they are experiencing

9.  Chris Gardner’s the real deal when it comes to a motivational and authentic speaker

10. Black T shirts with white LIVE UNITED lettering are eye-catching and you don’t just want to wear the shirt…you live it!

As you know, at Metro United Way we work to create the most vital caring community. It takes all of us doing our part to connect to friends, family, neighbors, and the world - to make sure we create opportunities for a better life for all.  You ready to lean in and make a difference?

General making a difference