Emporians Live United
Jami Reever, Executive Director, United Way of the Flint Hills
Saturday, October 10, 2009
When my husband accepted a position at Emporia State University last winter, we were thrilled that he had the opportunity to work at such a great institution. We were excited to have the chance to live close to family, and we were looking forward to raising our two boys among great Midwestern values. We were coming home, and it felt great.
And then I started to worry. What would it be like living in a small community once again? Would I be able to find a job? Would there be activities and events geared towards families — as much as I like Topeka, Wichita and Kansas City, the thought of driving to those cities on a regular basis didn’t appeal to me, if that was our only outlet for cultural enrichment. These are things I worried about, in addition to packing (and unpacking), finding a new house and school, and moving halfway across the country.
I know now that these are all things I didn’t need to worry about because, frankly, I like what I see in Emporia. From the moment we arrived early on a Friday morning, we knew that this was the place for us. Friendly people, an abundance of activities and events geared for the whole family, and plenty of things for my husband and me to take advantage of when we finally had a night away from the kids. Yes, Emporia is better than I ever expected.
I did find a job — a pretty amazing job, if I say so myself. Having been at the United Way of the Flint Hills for just more than two months, I’ve had even more chances to see the community in action, and I am pretty impressed. I’m impressed that this small, but mighty community is always at the ready to offer support, no matter what the need is.
Emporians pitch in so our town is cleaner; they support Mariah’s family with fundraisers, and they show up year after year to buy tacos at a fundraiser, to offer just a few examples. Sure, these things happen in other communities, especially in the larger cities I lived in, but there’s a big difference between what is happening in Emporia and what is happening in Dallas, Seattle, and Boston.
In Emporia, being a smaller community, our neighbors, friends, and family members support everything. They all eat the tacos, they all clean up the neighborhood, and they all attend a fundraiser at a local fitness center. In large cities, the cause is different for each person, and no one is asked to do “too much.” The hard work and giving is spread out among hundreds of thousands of people.
And that’s the difference: Emporians help every one and every cause because they know it’s the right thing to do. And because they know, if the tables were turned, their neighbors, friends, and family members would do the same for them. Emporians don’t say, “It’s too much,” instead they ask, “What else can I do?”
The United Way campaign is another shining example of how Emporians do more for our community. Times have been tough, and they continue to be tough, but that hasn’t stopped the generosity or compassion that I have seen from our community members. People continue to give to the United Way campaign and are willing to make sacrifices in their own lives to that they can help improve someone else’s life. That’s pretty noble.
Our campaign launched on Thursday afternoon with much excitement. We’ve set our goal at $600,000 once again. We came close to reaching that goal last year, and I am confident that we can reach it this year. To do this though, we need the help of everyone in our community. If you gave last year, thank you. We ask for your continued support. If you’ve never given before, we ask that you make this THE year you Live United. Perhaps you can start by donating $1 a week to the United Way. $52 per year, when combined with all of the other gifts, will make a make a lasting, meaningful impact in our community.
I invite you to be a part of the 2009 United Way Campaign. Join the cause and raise $600,000 for our community. Sure, times are tough, but from what I see, the caring spirit of our community is tougher. Working together, living united, we can achieve this goal.
allintogether (anonymous) says...
I would like to know what good works the United Way is doing with that $600,000 in Emporia. I think its great to hear how generous a community is, but nothing makes my wallet open faster to give than when an organization can point to its accomplishments in the community they get contributions from.
October 11, 2009 at 6:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
allintogether (anonymous) says...
Thank you YY4U. One criticism I hear about United Way is that they take from one community and give it to another because the need is perceived to be more urgent. Also, I hear their administrative cost are as high as .35 of every dollar contributed. Now, if their site could give some info like that and not a bunch of vague statements and lofty goals I would have a better opinion of the United Way. For now, I will continue buying tacos, clean up the flower beds, pray for Mariah and buy raffle tickets.
October 11, 2009 at 10:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Wait!!! Let me get this straight! The United Way does exactly what a social government does? At least the United Way is voluntary! I really hope their aren't any criticisms of the United Way by people who vote for or support social government. Why, that'd just be hypocrisy of the most human kind!! ;-)
October 12, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Here are some sites that may interest some people. These sites concern the U.W. and some questionable practices.
http://philanthropy.com/free/update/2...
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/14/nyr...
http://www3.jsonline.com/story/index....
I have always found that investigating a so called non-profit, philanthropic organization is best before donating any money to it, no matter how long it has been in existance or how much good is it purported to do !
No matter what anyone may believe, there is the probability of thievery and corruption in any and all organizations, etc. .
October 12, 2009 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Here is another United Way website that might interest some people, http://www.unitedway.org/worldwide/ab...
October 12, 2009 at 1:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Here is the main World Wide United Way webpage address, http://www.unitedway.org/worldwide/
October 12, 2009 at 1:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Don' t take my previous posts as meaning that you should not donate to the United Way . I am just saying if you have questions or doubts about any so-called charitable, non-profit organizations, check them out and investigate them first, before giving up your hard earned and ever decreasing funds !
October 12, 2009 at 2:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )