LIVE UNITED Y’All!

By Sarah Heine

National Volunteer Week provides the opportunity for organizations and communities to thank the volunteers who work so diligently year round, donating their time, money and support to help make our community the most successful and positive place it can be. It also gives Metro United Way a chance to spotlight and thank some of the volunteers in our community who have made volunteerism a huge part of their day-to-day lives.

Interning in the Volunteer Engagement Center here at Metro United Way has provided me with the opportunity to learn about the organizations serving our community. It has also allowed me to meet  some of the volunteers who are so vital to the continued success of these organizations and of Metro United Way and to learn about their experiences and motivations for giving back.

A few weeks ago, I chatted with Ilma Hirsch about her volunteer experiences and her relationship with Metro United Way. She is an absolutely lovely 95-year-old woman who began volunteering with Metro United Way back when it was called Community Chest.

Ilma talked about the timelessness of volunteerism, how it is just as necessary today as it was when she was young, and how it enriches not only the organizations, but also the lives of the individuals who commit their time and energy to volunteering. We talked about the importance of integrating volunteerism into one’s life and of passing on that importance to the next generation. Ilma felt that was especially important- one of her greatest donations to the community she served was her children’s activism and community involvement.

Ilma also talked about getting involved with organizations that give the volunteer a personal connection with the work that they are doing. Ilma first got involved with Metro United Way through her involvement with the the  National Council of Jewish Women. Having a connection to the work you are doing enriches the experience for both the organization and for the volunteer.

I really enjoyed speaking with Ilma and hearing her perspectives and anecdotes about her experiences as a volunteer and with Metro United Way long before either I, or Metro United Way (in its current form) were around. As a young volunteer it is easy to forget I am not the first, and will not be the last community member doing what I can to give back. Volunteering always has been and always will be vital to the success of organizations and communities alike.

Do you volunteer? If so, where? Is there a personal connection or reason you give your time to that organization? If you are not already involved and would like to be, Metro United Way provides resources for volunteer opportunities across Kentuckiana on our website.

Whether you volunteer now, have in the past, or would like to in the future, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you. Your time and energy really do make a difference.

THANKS!

Volunteering Community, community chest, Metro United Way, National Volunteer Month, thank you, Volunteer Engagement Center

By David P. Calzi
2009 Metro United Way Community Campaign Chair

Photo by Walt Norris of Dave Calzi at the Metro United Way 2009 Community Campaign end event at Neighborhood House. Click on the picture for more photos from the event!

The results that Metro United Way achieved during 2009, raising $27.1 million, will help continue to make a difference in many lives in our community. To all of our donors and volunteers who have supported us so generously, we are very grateful and hope that you feel a sense of pride in all that has been accomplished this year.

We realize, however, that the difficult times are not yet behind us. Over the past year, Metro United Way has continued to see an increase in requests for assistance with basic services — food and shelter. Many of these requests are from people who have never had to ask before. This means the needs are greater than ever and our work will continue to be important. We, as a community, will need to stay vigilant and address these challenges in 2010 and beyond.

It’s been an honor and pleasure to serve as your 2009 Metro United Way General Campaign Chair. I treasure every minute spent with the Metro United Way staff, volunteers and agencies and am appreciative of all that they have taught me and the opportunity I have had to serve our community.

I thank each of you for your support and know that you will continue to champion the cause of Metro United Way for many years to come.

Live United!

Sincerely,

David P. Calzi
2009 Metro United Way Community Campaign Chair

Giving community campaign, thank you

Every year we celebrate the successes of the campaign through our many lists - our Top 25 (most dollars raised) and Terrific 25 (most dollars raised per capita) celebrate mostly big businesses, and some smaller ones, too. We also celebrate our Wow Campaigns - those with a 10% increase over last year and new campaigns.

I’d like to use this space, though, to celebrate all the truly small businesses, many of them locally owned and operated, who contribute more modest yet important amounts to our campaign. I recently put out a challenge to local busineses to give $100 and here’s who accepted. Many gave much more than this, but all who gave are appreciated:

Parsons Corporation
Amazing Products, Inc.
OVASCO Industries
W.R. Willett Lumber Company
B-Dry Systems of Louisville, Inc.
Jake’s Natural Lawn Care
LSE Engineering
US Specialties
Cox, Allen & Associates Architects
Bironas, Inc.
Embry Bosse Funeral Home
Twinbrook Nursing Home
Cecil & Cecil
UHL Truck Sales of Kentuckiana
Budget Business SErvice
Ratterman & Sons, Inc.
Old Kentucky Insurance, Inc.
Godsey Associates Architects
Klarer Construction Co., Inc.
Bob’s Deck Refinishing, Inc.
Video Kitchen
Ted McCain Company, Inc.
Spindletop Draperies, Inc.
Trinity Presbyterian Women
Mirror Glaze Distributors, Inc.
The Prudential Parks & Weisberg Realtors
A M Electric Company, Inc.
Hunt Tractor
Sparkle Brite Car Wash
ICCO
Eline Develpment Company
A.I.A. Agency, Inc.
Premium Foil Products Company
Vari-Comp, Inc.
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of KY
A.J. Seibert Company, Inc.
Editorial Services Company
Tamplin & Company
Eyedia
Bilancia

If you are a customer of one of these businesses, please be proud and thank them for their commitment to our community!

Giving Community, Giving, small business, thank you

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

By Mindy Hedley

When did this year’s campaign crystallize into that bright and shining moment when you felt that fire in the belly? You know the one that makes you want to keep going when you’re tired?

Keep asking when you hear no?

Keep trying new strategies when our world economy tells us this isn’t the right time?

To push harder, and stretch further instead of settling because people are burdened by their own concerns and it’s “not a good time to be asking right now”.

Have you had your moment?

For me it was when the clients of Bridgehaven presented their beautiful, three-paneled painting at our kickoff. The painting now hangs in our building and I see it every day.

It was painted by them as a gift to us for letting Bridgehaven use our building when their own was flooded. What a generous gift for such a small favor.

I was overcome with emotion at the gesture. Having known someone with the type or types of disabilities that clients at Bridgehaven face, I understand the need for having a place to meet and how vital that need is.

But still, inviting Bridgehaven to use our building seems so small and their thank you to us, so large.

I snapped a picture of some of those who helped to paint it. I know that in painting it, it gave them happiness to0.

Last night at a lecture, a physician said that recent data has begun to surface that many of the most brilliant and most famous artists of former centuries are now believed to have had some physical or mental disability and their art gave them a way to cope with their condition.

When I walk past those beautiful panels, I will remember why I will ask, and push and strech.

For those who we gave to- gave to me.

Giving giving back, thank you

It’s hard to believe that one month ago from today, I was embarking on my journey to the other side of the world (literally), and here I am, already back in my Shelbyville office resuming life as usual. When I think about everything that has happened in the last thirty days, I sort of have to pinch myself. To describe my trip would take volumes, but here’s a summary of this past month:

• Visited 3 countries (Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos…almost made it to Myanmar, but was stopped on the border.)
• Total of 9 flights (41 hours on a plane)
• 8 business visits
• 3 days hiking in the jungle
• 1 elephant ride (and fall!)
• 3 waterfalls
• Visited 4 hill tribes
• Sampled some snake whiskey (nasty!)
• 4 boat rides, plus a bamboo rafting trip
• Visited 7 palaces and temples
• Tried dozens of exotic fruits
• Countless massages
• Climbed into a cage with 2 tigers
• Ate more noodles that most people should eat in a lifetime

Needless to say, I had plenty of time for self reflection since 6 of those days I spent traveling alone. Although I consider myself somewhat of a veteran traveler, I always learn more about the world and myself each time I venture abroad. Here are some of my “lessons learned” from my most recent trip:

1. A smile is universal, and goes a long way.
2. Hospitality to friends and strangers alike is the greatest gift one can give or receive.
3. Sometimes it’s best not to know what you’re eating until after you swallow.
4. Silence is reverence.
5. Pure deet is a lifesaver!
6. Even a video camera can’t capture the essence of an experience.
7. Leave the poncho and galoshes at home…even those won’t keep you dry in a real Thai monsoon.
8. Don’t over-pack, over-think, over-buy, over-analyze, or over-plan.
9. Know how to say “thank you” in the language of whoever or wherever you’re visiting.
10. Share your experiences with those who care.

These last two lessons were the greatest to me. Perhaps the greatest survival advice I can give any future world traveler, mother, father, school teacher, 2-year-old child, business person, Metro United Way employee, mechanic, or schoolroom lunch lady is know how to say “thank you,” and say it often. Whether it’s a handshake, head nod or full bow, the act of saying “thank you” is universal. There were many times I found myself confused, lost, or in need of some help, and although it’s safe to say I rarely understood the person who was trying to help me, I quickly learned that a smile, nod, and a “kaub kun kaub” was universally appreciated and helpful in nearly every situation.

Before I left, my dad pulled out an old photo album from the year he spent stationed in Vietnam back in 1969 and 70. I remember flipping through the old black and white photographs of his barracks, the Hotel Majestic, and other Saigon sites. I sort of pushed those images to the back of my mind as I left for my own adventure because I didn’t want those images to cloud my perception of what I was about to see and experience for myself. Perhaps my greatest memory of those 16 days was when I stepped off the bus in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, held my digital camera out in front of my chest, and slowly started walking in a circle until my camera framed what I thought would be the perfect picture. About a quarter-turn to my left, I stopped and stared up at the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. The angle of the building in front of me and the trees in my frame looked familiar, as if I had seen this image before. I thought for a second and then remembered the old black and white picture of my dad’s. I actually lowered my camera at that moment, stared at my feet and thought to myself, “Wow, Dad stood in this exact spot 40 years ago, looked up at that same building framed the same shot with his camera, and probably thought the same thoughts I am right now.” Although my dad was thousands of miles away at that moment, and the memory we shared was 40 years apart, this was really the greatest experience I’ve ever shared with my father.

General thank you, thanks, travel