We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then is not an act, but a habit. – Aristotle
Wow that’s how I began my 1998 annual report. I learned that year that volunteering is a habit. Giving is a habit. Advocating is a habit. And here’s proof, several of our key volunteer leaders are still volunteers and donors today, 28 years later. Thanks for developing a United Way habit!
I loved the cover of the report. It had suggestions on how to live a happy and rewarding life. Here’s a snapshot.
A fun little game or maybe bingo card…of the 24 funded programs, four are no longer in business; ten no longer receive funding because of their own transformations; and four have changed their names adapting to their new missions; and, 11 are still funded today delivering critically needed services to people in our community.
Of our 28 board members, a few moved away for jobs or lives that took them to Florida, Reno, and Minneapolis. A few have passed away. Writing these blogs is sure bringing back warm memories of their commitment to United Way. We are who we because of those who give to us, advocate for us and volunteer for us. We still need all that.
There’s a photo in the 1998 annual report that takes me right back to the moment at Day of Caring. We painted Arc of Jackson County. There was a guy working hard all day and he finally climbed off the ladder and his eyes welled with tears. He said he’d ruined his family, so his goal was to pay it forward. I hope he reconnected with them. At the time, he was in treatment at the VA Dom (now SORCC). It was so moving just to visit with him for a minute. Sometimes that’s all it takes is a minute to change a life.
Reviewing 1998 made me silly too because I was going to tell you who had hair, who was blonde, who looked so dang young. We all did! That year, we raised $694,000. To those of you who gave this year, we basically tripled it!
Onward,
