It's the Right Thing To Do

Greetings!

Last week was a great week for me, ( that is if you do not count the bad cold I was dealing with all week- my apologies to Ruth who had to endure a day sitting next to me while I popped cough drops and sneezed. Sorry Ruth).

Why was it a good week?  As many of you already know, I have been acting as Interim Director here at United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha and Pierce Counties since last November, and last week I was told I could remove the Interim from my title and become the Executive Director.  Actually it was more involved than that, interviews and meetings were held with a number of candidates, board members and community members. All procedures were closely adhered to but the end result was " Yay!  I got the job". 

My first action upon learning of the boards' decision, after accepting and thanking them of course, was to call my husband then text my kids.  My daughters both texted back hearty congratulations, my son texted back one word, "Yay!!!!" He is extremely verbal but a man of few written words, so when I got to see him over the weekend I was chiding him about his response. I had been tense for months waiting for the outcome and when I finally had news he only had time for one word? Yay?  His reply was priceless. " No mom, didn't you see the exclamation points?  That made it into YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!  You have to read the WHOLE text."

Back to the great week...I was also was able to attend my first ever United Way State Conference

held at the Greater Twin Cities United Way offices.  I met so many fabulous people who are working hard for United Way and the people they serve in their communities. I took copiuos  notes on goals they are working toward and how progress is being made.  I learned how we are all unique but can share and learn so much from each other. 

It was during a presentation on Collective Impact that the best part of last week slapped me in the forehead. As an aside in her explanation, Laura from Mankato made the statement,  " because it was the right thing to do". She continued with her presentation but I missed the rest of it, remaining stuck on four words "right thing to do." 

So simple. Nothing new or earth shattering. Not difficult to remember. I learned it as a child, but it made me sit back and catch my breath. I turned to a blank sheet of paper and wrote it down, big and bold

Right Thing To Do.  

Those words put so much into perspective for me. They are  why I do what I do and they are how we will move forward. This is the promise I make to our donors, our volunteers, our partner agencies, our staff, our board and the people of the communities we serve.  I promise to  always ask  "what is the right thing to do for those we serve?" and let that guide me.

Thanks to all who worked to organize and attend the state conference. You have given me so much to think about and look forward to. I can't wait to get going! 

Maureen Nelson

Executive Director

United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties

WE NEED YOU!! 

Associated Bank

Supporting Local Charities

Good for You, Good for Them

Giving back to the community by supporting local charitable efforts can benefit not only your area, but your business, too. A well-thought-out corporate giving program can demonstrate commitment to yourcommunity, increase awareness and recognition of your brand, and help the company develop and maintain a positive profile.  It may also create a culture of giving, help motivate and retain employees, boost morale, foster team-building when employees have a chance to rally around a common cause and promote professional development. And it could lead you to discover that your employees have talents that you hadn't previously spotted.

This item was taken from an article regarding corporate giving printed in Associated Banks Business Client Magazine - Winter 2012

TO WIN a $5 Kwik Trip Card.

Winners will be announced in next weeks newsletter!  Yippee, Rah Rah, Hooray!

So... Tell all of your friends,

"Dude -  I know an easy way to score some fast gas money "

Look for

United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties!

Red Wing Wish List

15 boxes

instant Oatmeal

with individual packets please

This space is typically reserved just for a list of food items that we need to add our supplies for filling weekly backpacks but this week it's also being used to answer a very important question.

Last week a friend of Packing for the Weekend  called to ask " Why if I just gave a large monetary donation to Packing for the Weekend, do you still need food donations?"

Let me explain. Most of the food we use to pack backpacks each week is purchased from the food bank in Rochester, Channel One. We plan our menus and place our orders based on the food Channel One has in it's inventory the day of our order.

Sometimes items we order and are planning on do not get delivered and we have to get that item through another method. We could and have purchased some of the food from local groceries in emergencies, but we also have a group of generous donors who have asked to be notified when we are short and they prefer to donate this way.

In the end, we want everyone to understand that we are using your donations well and we are trying to respect your preferred method of making donations. Everyone who donates to Packing for the Weekend can rest assured that there donations are feeding chronically, hungry children and we thank you.

To those of you who brought in danations of pasta last week and all of you who donated money

 mille grazie!

Upcoming Events

Lake City 

Cannon Falls

Saturday, January 28

CF Education Foundation

Evening at the Winery

7:00- 10:00 pm

Tickets $12 at the door

Sunday, January 29

Motivational Speaker

Pam Stenzel 

7:00 pm

Pam Stenzel will present information that will challenge and inspire youth to understand the values of personal responsibility, self discipline and character plus give parents tools to help their children in these areas. Program material suitable for children 7th grade and up

Cannon Falls High School

 6-8 pm

St. James Hotel, Summit Room

Enjoy the entertaining antics of "Betty Ann"

25 Celebrity Servers

 Silent Auction 

 listen to stories from people served by HOPE Coalition.

$50 per person. 

 Visit www.hope-coalition.org

to purchase tickets or learn more about this fun event benefitting local families in crisis

 Fergie's

Rotary Kids Fishing Contest

Pottery Pond

1:00-2:30 pm

FREE

fishing hole and bait provided

Cookies, Hot Chocolate and Prizes

in Honor of Jim Ferguson, long time rotarian and fishing nut who recently passed away.

This was his favorite annual event.