To kick off this year’s United Way of Addison County’s fundraising campaign, three personal stories serve well to highlight just what it means: a family who lost their former Williston home and resettled in Bristol extolls the welcome and help received by local United Way agencies; a local couple opt to make the annual United Ways’ “Days of Caring” a central part of their wedding celebration; and Middlebury residents Mark and Donna Perrin, this year’s honorary co-chairs, share their long-term belief and faith in the United Ways’ value to the community.
Each story connects to the other and weaves the common thread of what it means to live in a caring community.
There are those who need help, are grateful for it, and give back in whatever ways they can. They are those who embrace caring for others as a central tenant of good citizenship, of what it means not only to be a Good Samaritan but also a good neighbor. And there are those willing to take the reigns of leadership, and spend the time necessary to do whatever it takes to raise the money needed — this year the goal is $700,000 — to fulfill all the vital services provided by the organization’s 20-plus agencies.
What’s your role? Get involved early this year. Visit the United Way’s website at www.unitedwayaddisoncounty.organd watch this year’s video. Volunteer for the annual Days of Caring campaign and if you haven’t given in the past, work with your place of business to consider instituting a payroll deduction campaign, in which your employer can deduct as little as a dollar a week, or two dollars, from your paycheck. It’s a small amount to miss, and yet it does a powerful amount of good.
If you do, you’ll discover the real success of this annual campaign: the reward of giving is far greater than the amount given.
Angelo S. Lynn