LIVE UNITED Y’All!

by John Sands

So I was sitting at the reception desk this Monday processing incoming mail and thinking to myself, ”I have got to come up with something spectacular to write about for my next blog post.”  Mind you,  my deadline was fast approaching, and I really had nothing.  I’m wrapping up the last of the mail and someone hits the call button at our front door.  I decide to hang around because in the regular scope of my job, I help people who come in looking for assistance or referrals for assistance.

As I listen to the story of the young woman now standing in front of me, I find out that she is seeking assistance for her boyfriend.  He suffers from seizures and ran out of medicine the day before.  Up to this point, they have been to a few places seeking help, with no luck.  My first thought is to refer her to Metro United Way 2-1-1 assistance line.  I could not really think of an agency or program to refer her.  So I escort the young lady over to the office near the reception desk and dial 2-1-1 for her.  I held on the line until I was able to brief the counselor on the young lady’s situation.  I then left the room to give her some privacy.

When she re-emerged from the room, she had a couple of questions that I politely answered, and then she advised me that she indeed had set up a meeting with a program that would be able to help.  We talked a little while longer, as she was a little apprehensive about some of the questions she was asked.  I reassured her that any questions or concerns she might have, she should discuss openly when she meets with them.

As she walked out the door she thanked me and said this was the most help she had gotten in quite awhile.  And I thought to myself, “All I did was listen and then respond to her need”.  Really my part was so very simple.  I just dialed 3 digits (2-1-1) and let our community network do what it is there to do.

I never came up with anything “spectacular” to write about.  But with this one interaction I was reminded, that it is often not the “spectacular” that makes the greatest impact on people’s lives.

If you know of someone that is struggling and needs access to resources to begin to turn their situation around, Metro United Way 2-1-1 is an excellent resource.  It’s available 24-7!

General 2-1-1, assistance, get help, making a difference, service

by John Nevitt

In honor of the upcoming National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, I’d like to share some thoughts about why I volunteer, and how volunteering makes a difference for me.

I am sure we can all think of someone who has made a tremendous impact on our lives – perhaps it was a teacher, our parents, a close friend, a co-worker, or our lifetime companion. Whoever that person is, they undoubtedly took the time to get to know us, and shared something of value – their time, encouragement, knowledge, insight, skills, sense of humor, values – in short, the essence of who they are.

Volunteerism brings people together in ways that may not otherwise happen in a way that can benefit everyone involved. For example, I have always enjoyed spending time with senior citizens, and I trace this back to the time I spent with my grandparents. As a result, one job I had was as a social worker in a nursing home.

In order to keep in touch with seniors now, I volunteer through my church at a retirement home and I deliver meals to elderly people who are home bound. This helps me stay in contact with folks who I view as wise, and who often have incredible attitudes, despite difficult circumstances. I almost always feel empowered after spending time with seniors – sometimes because I am more aware and truly thankful for my good health, and other times because I feel privileged to have spent some time with others who have so much perspective on life.

I’ll never forget one nursing home resident, Ralph, who was confined to bed because something went wrong during an operation. He spent a considerable amount of time in a coma, and then was confronted with paralysis.

Ralph had so much he could have been resentful about, but somehow he maintained a remarkably positive attitude. When I visited him, it seemed that his only concern was about how I was doing, what was going on in my life, and how he could support me. I remember how much he helped me when I was dealing with a personal loss, and how grateful I was to him for his kindness.

My visits gave Ralph the opportunity to be of service to me, and I was much richer as a result.

Someone once told me that being of service to others is the highest distinction for human beings. I would say that a few historical figures whom I admire all fit that bill – Ghandi, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Mother Theresa. Ralph will always stick in my mind for the same reason, and he is a powerful reminder of why I volunteer – to have the privilege of being of service, and to gain so much in return.

Volunteering highest distinction, personal gain, service, Volunteering

Here at Metro United Way, we often ask the question, “What are you passionate about?”  We ask the question of potential volunteers when we’re trying to figure out what volunteer opportunities they might most enjoy doing.  We ask it of donors so we can help them connect their philanthropy to the causes they believe in most deeply.  We ask it of companies so we can determine how Metro United Way can help that business express its social conscience and become a better corporate citizen of our community.

But what is passion, anyway?  Webster’s Online Dictionary defines it as: 1) strong feeling or emotion, 2) something that is desired intensely, 3) any object of warm affection or devotion.

So, the question is, what causes or issues do you feel most strongly about?  To what do you devote your time, energy, talents, and resources? Of what greater good do you want to be a part?   Whatever it is, find a way to become an advocate for that cause and use your passion to benefit others. 

For example, I have a friend who has a heart for older adults who live alone.  She devotes a portion of her time to cleaning the homes of these people, which meets their need for a healthier living space, provides them with socialization once a week, and gives them the comfort of knowing that someone is checking on them regularly.  I have another friend who is passionate about the restoration and preservation of historic homes.  He spends a portion of his time helping his neighbors with home repair and restoration projects, is in the process of restoring his own Victorian-era house, and opens his home for the holiday house walk to raise money for and awareness of his city’s historic preservation efforts.   Another friend cares deeply about the soldiers that serve our country overseas.  Each week, she writes notes of encouragement and appreciation to U.S. service men & women, makes fleece blankets to send to them, and advocates for veterans.

So how about you?  Whether it’s animals, the arts, the protection of the weak, cooking, knitting, civil rights, antique cars, sports, or gardening, there’s a way that you can use your passion to educate, uplift, encourage, and challenge others.  I challenge you to find a way to do just that.

General advocate, Community, Giving, passion, service, Volunteering