“Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save, they just stand there shining.” – Anne Lamont
Who is your lighthouse?
October has been blurry. Personally, I got super stressed out being the officiant of my nephew’s wedding. It was the honor of a lifetime to do this, and it was the most beautiful wedding filled with such love and joy! Here’s what cracked me up. Standing there waiting for the event to begin, my Fitbit congratulated me on my cardio activity! Just standing there! It gave me a chuckle and a warning to get it together. Phew. I survived and I don’t think everyone knew what a wreck I was!
October brings heavy United Way campaign times, and our campaign chair is a rock star! Cooper Whitman is one of those amazing men who is strong and fragile and never afraid to show it. We’re having a great time doing good! And our donors are lighthouses for ships they may never see.
Who are your lighthouses? Who do you see as a constant in a storm? These are stormy times in our world. There are so many suffering with real issues in their lives and we all need that constant source of strength that says, we got this.
At United Way, we have 1,500 volunteers who serve on committees, councils, work on Day of Caring projects, prepare people’s income taxes for free, and help us raise the money that helps so many. They are all my lighthouses.
A couple of weeks ago was our most successful WiLL (Women Living Leadership) luncheon. Caryn Wheeler Clay emceed, Lisa Mensah gave an inspiring keynote that engaged us all, Julie Barry presented Lyn Hennion the WiLLPower Award! And it was the best surprise! Amy Belkin created a beautiful video of our efforts this past year. Tanya Stafford shared a most amazing ask, standing in the center of who she is, being an amazing lighthouse, lighting the way for others to come home to themselves. And yet, that only speaks to the inspiring women at the podium; the room was filled with those lighting our way and to each person there, thank you!
Friday night, we participated in the 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat that benefited by Teresa McCormick Center and United Way of Jackson County. Congratulations to Ashley Hughes, chief organizer extraordinare! It may have been a benefit to our organizations, and it was sure a lighthouse for hundreds of families and gorgeous little kids. There were little dinosaurs, chickens, and a family of roosters (in those fabulous, inflated costumes).
There was so much joy! And lots of kids carried out exhausted. A really good sign. Dalia Silva Moore, Leah McLaughlin and Katie Stumpff did our shark fishing booth! What a great team they made! Thanks for your extra effort during a busy time. It took great sponsors to pull it off. The sponsors were Harry & David, Outlier Construction, Got Balls? Meatball Truck, Toasted Cheese, and Southern Oregon Premier DJs – DJ JLud, Jackie Ludwig. Thank you!
So, who are your lighthouses?
Onward!
