Stories of Giving
The following are stories of donors and volunteers from around the region. Some give $1 a week; some give $1,000 or more a year. Some serve on allocation panels, the board of directors or help at agencies every month. They're all people who, like you, want to make a real, lasting change in the lives of people in our region -- people who are helping their community through United Way.
Share your own story by e-mailing kate.kromann@stl.unitedway.org.
"I appreciate the United Way helping me get the dollars that we want to contribute into the right hands. I don't know where the greatest need exists. I didn't know, until becoming more involved with United Way, of all the agencies that exist to help so many people who need help in so many different ways. There are important needs that I didn't even realize existed, and thank goodness people in our community are willing to provide those services, to the extent of the capacity and funding. That realization took me to volunteer on an allocations panel. We try to make sure the agencies are viable this year and in future years." - Anonymous
"My daughter has Down Syndrome and in her early years received many developmental services through Special Children, Inc. Special Children Inc is a school in Belleville, Ill., for developmentally challenged children and receives some of its funding from the United Way. I have been on the board of the school for approximately 10 years and see first-hand the impact of United Way and Special Children, Inc." - Anonymous
"United Way is simply the most powerful way to bless others in our community and touches so many individuals and organizations. Someone I know once described it as a 'the best way to diversify your philanthropic portfolio,' which to me was a perfect analogy. Those who are blessed make more of a difference than ever in tough times." - Cory Boss, Deloitte (Young Leaders Society co-chair)
"While visiting [a United Way agency], I noticed a small group of children preparing a meal for themselves. It was in the afternoon, but they were cooking breakfast--complete with scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. As I watched the children, I noticed their excitement at preparing breakfast when they should be having lunch. They all commented on the smell of the bacon and the memories it stirred in them. Most importantly, they were focused on something other that their physical problems. As I thought about what it took to 'give their minds a rest' I added up the cost of a carton of eggs, a pound of bacon and a loaf of bread. Seeing that it was most likely less than $10, I decided right then and there every amount donated to the United Way makes a difference!" - Anonymous
"I support the United Way because it is a great way to help people without having to select between all of the many deserving organizations and causes in Saint Louis. The United Way does all of the hard work for us by providing financial support to a variety of agencies in Saint Louis. It is also a great feeling to know that my dollars assist in making many community resources available to those that would otherwise not have access to them." - Tiffany Cooley, African American Leadership giver
"My family is very fortunate today to have the benefits of excellent health, effective education, warm homes, enough and nutritional food, and rich support systems. That was not always the case. More than one of us has accessed United Way agencies over the years to help with one challenge or another. I know United Way helps; it helped me." - Anonymous
"As an allocations volunteer, I take seriously the charge to ensure that contributors’ dollars are well spent. The Quality Standards help me to know what to ask an agency and help me to know which agencies produce results." -Peter M. Ouchi, Commerce Bank (Young Leaders Society Cabinet member and former Community Investment Committee chair)
"Personally, I feel good about my contribution when I have the opportunity to visit the some of the United Way agencies and see how they support the less fortunate in our community. I am particularly touched by the work of the various boys and girls clubs as they help guide young people during the formative and sometimes difficult period of their lives. It is important work and I'm glad I have the ability to assist in even a small way." - Anonymous
"I just feel that from time to time, we all need help. I have been giving my fair share 37 of the 38 years with the company. I did have an aunt, who had lost her husband some years before, who had six kids and [there was] a fire. They moved into my mom's basement for some months until they were assisted by the United Way. Both my sons went to Boy's Clubs, my mom had Alzheimer’s, my sons have been through programs with the American Lung Association, as they are both asthmatic. I was a Girl Scout, and the day cares I had my sons attending early on were somehow assisted through the United Way. I do know that every organization I have used, attended or had my sons and mom in, is someway assisted through the United Way. I feel that the dollars I make -- I am blessed to make them, and this is my way of sharing with those somewhat less fortunate." - Anonymous
"My small son has a speech development problem. Because I make an average salary, my family doesn't qualify for any state/government assistance in testing and therapy, and I found it EXTREMEMLY difficult to afford it 'out-of-pocket.' My son was finally accepted into a terrific program, United Services, who is a beneficiary of the United Way. Because of the charity of the United Way and other nonprofit foundations, my son is on his way to overcoming his speech challenges and will hopefully be ready when he enters the elementary school system. This experience is/was the primary reason that we felt it's important to contribute to a nonprofit foundation such as yours. The financial responsibility of the United Way is the primary reason that my family chose to donate to you specifically. Thank you!" - Anonymous
"I support the United Way because I see first-hand the kind of help they provide to the people of the St. Louis community. The needs are so great and the United Way helps such a large variety of agencies and clients to make the community better for everyone. There is so much that the younger generations can do and will do if given the opportunity to exercise our strength and passion." - Allison Hewitt, YWCA (Young Leaders Society Cabinet member)
"I feel fortunate to be able to give something back to organizations that I believe in. Groups that get things done are particularly important where you can see visible proof of just how much difference financial assistance can make in people's lives. I visited Ranken Jordan when I served on the United Way committee through my employer and saw first-hand the lives that were changed by the funds being raised. I also have a son who has kidney disease and have a special interest in the Kidney Foundation. I believe in the strength of the United Way to reach across the board to all sorts of people instead of a select few." - Anonymous
"I connected with the St. Patrick's center last year to help with their efforts to assist families from New Orleans. I coordinated my church adopting a family and helping them get furniture and items to resettle. The St. Patrick's staff were so well organized and prepared the adopting organizations well and provided support throughout the effort. It was a very positive volunteer effort." - Anonymous
"The United Way does a fantastic job of efficiently and effectively supporting many great organizations. What I like about the United Way is that they provide a conduit between people with means to help others to those that most need the help. They also do a significant amount of due diligence to ensure that the recipients of the support are utilizing those funds in a responsible manner, so you know that you are providing resources to people committed to making an impact." - Chris Lydon, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP (Young Leaders Society Cabinet member)
"The United Way has given myself and my family a means of 'giving back' to the communities that surround us. Having that means of quietly giving back, via a high quality, reputable organization that is truly focused on helping those unable to help themselves at that point in time is important to us. Thanks for providing the vehicle!" - Anonymous
"Simply watching the United Way video during this year's campaign [2007] convinced me of how fortunate I am and the responsibility I have to help others who are less fortunate." - Anonymous
"In 2002, I lost my 17-year-old son to suicide. He was a healthy young man until he turned 17 years old and became depressed. During treatment for depression, he became psychotic and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. My oldest son also has bipolar and struggles daily with the effects of this mood disorder. I have gained a lot of help and insight from the local mental health organizations -- and couldn't have made it through my grief without the existence of the Survivors of Suicide group that meets weekly at Provident Counseling. I now volunteer my time, energy and experience in a newly created community effort to help those who have recently lost someone to suicide. My loss changed my life forever -- time is now measured as 'before Ben died' and 'after Ben died.' Even though I will always miss my son, the experience motivates me to make meaning from my loss and help others who suffer (either from losing someone to suicide or those dealing with mental illness). To help others and make a difference is a blessing to me now." - Anonymous
"With United Way, you can make a single contribution and you know it’s being allocated wisely and appropriately from there to agencies that demonstrate quality standards. It’s a good use of your dollar.” - Kent Weber, The Edge Bank in Edwardsville (allocations volunteer)
"I am a member of the Basic Needs and Crisis allocation panel. This has given me the opportunity to see how a United Way agency interacts with the United Way. It has also given me the opportunity to see how many unsung heroes there are in the St. Louis community, doing really good and worthwhile work with very little recognition or fanfare." - Anonymous
"Every time I give to the United Way I feel good because of the broad impact the organization has. Every year the video tugs at my heart and I know I made the right decision with the funds I allocate to charitable giving." - Anonymous
"Seeing the progress of those who benefit from my financial giving is the best feeling in the world. Who knew that such a relatively small gift could make such a big difference in someone else's life?" - Anonymous
"My child was dismissed from school because of his seizures. The Epilepsy Foundation provided advocacy, education and information to help the school personnel understand epilepsy, medication and medication side effects. I felt great making a contribution to the United Way knowing that the Epilepsy Foundation is a member." - Anonymous