Yesterday a colleague at work sent a quick email to tell the rest of us that the Chittenden County Emergency Food Shelf needed "sides" to go along with the thousands of turkeys that had been donated for Thanksgiving. A few quick responses and we decided to pool our money and go next door to Shaw's to buy what we could. Just one day later I loaded about eight grocery bags into my car filled with stuffing mix, mashed potatoes (they asked for instant), cranberry sauce, pie shells, canned pumpkin, canned vegetables and gravy. When I arrived at the Food Shelf, I asked the volunteer if he thought they had enough, and of course he said, "Well yes, for Thursday, but there is really never enough."
The power of combining resources never ceases to amaze me. With a few dollars here and there and everyone from the office combining them, we were able to create the trimmings for so many Thanksgiving dinners. I was just thinking how great it would be if we did this on a routine basis. It was also reminded that it works just the same way with a donation to United Way. When we all pool our financial resources, United Way volunteer impact teams are able to make investments in programs that help thousands of people right here in Chittenden County. Yes, we call them "investments" because we don't fund agencies or random programs. We INVEST in programs working toward community-determined priority outcomes in the areas of Education, Income and Health. A donation to United Way is like investing in a mutual fund of human services, and our impact team volunteers are like portfolio advisers, completely familiar with which program produces what, and for how many people.
So, on this upcoming holiday, I am thankful for my colleagues who LIVE UNITED and rally when there is a need. I am thankful for the volunteers who devote hours upon hours to understand the programs they recommend for funding. I am thankful for all the United Way Member Agencies and the staff at each of the 30 who work tirelessly to provide the services upon which so many people depend, and which improve lives every day. And, I am thankful for the many blessings I have --more than enough food, a warm and cozy home, a loving family, wonderful friends, a car that works, warm clothes to wear, good health, a great job, and so many more. I am so lucky. I hope I always remember to share my good fortune and be grateful for it. I hope you will do the same.
Happy Thanksgiving. Bobbe
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