More than statistics ...

I recently had the privilege to give a Callaway County United Way presentation to the Fulton Kiwanis Club.  As a member of a number of service clubs over the years, I have both listened to and given presentation on the importance of giving back to the community through the area United Way.

As I was considering my presentation, I wondered how I could personalize my words to really have an impact on those who were giving over a portion of their day to hear what I had to say.  Certainly, there are a number of statistics that I could quote:

• How every dollar donated to the UW stays in Callaway County
• The number of families impacted by the work of the UW 
• How a dollar to the UW buys up to ten times more food than if we went to the grocery stor

 And the list goes on.

To be sure, statistics are important.  But then I considered something else; what if I were to personally give to those impacted?  Here’s what it might look like:

I give to the United Way through payroll deduction.  This way, I don’t have to write out a check every month.  Convenient but somewhat impersonal.

Instead, what if I wrote out a check to the United Way each month and personally gave it to our Executive Director, Kathy Richey Liddle?  Well, at least I’m making an effort to connect but still not really “all in” yet…

So, instead, what if I gave a check to each of the thirteen United Way agencies. As an example, I could give a few dollars to Julie Roark, Director of SERVE’s Callaway Action Network in support of the food pantry.   That way I could at least I could see where dollars are are making a difference.   Could I do still more???

Finally, what if I gave a penny to each of the thousands of individuals who benefit from the Callaway United Way each year?  I could personally meet with the single mother of three who actually shops at the food pantry.  I could get to know her and meet her family.  I’m sure she would appreciate my penny.  Of course, it would mean a lot more if all those who support the UW could give her their pennies as well.

Practically, of course, we can’t do that.  Which is a shame.  Wouldn’t it be great to know all of those who personally benefit from the Callaway County United Way each year?  While we can’t do that, what we can do is remember those who we are supporting when we write our checks and make our payroll deductions.

After all, people give to people.  Always have. Always will.