IS YOUR WORK YOUR PASSION?

Last night  - along with millions of other people worldwide -  I watched the Academy Awards Presentations.  This may be a first for me, sitting and watching the entire show. It is not something I do, usually forgetting that it is on or having something else to do that evening I just don't watch. Don't get me wrong, I love movies and seeing them on the big screen, I love the gowns and the glamour and I love seeing people in any field being recognized for a job well done.

Last night's presentation showed quite a few people talking about their passion. That movies, or writing or even make up had been their passion since childhood.  I always think those people are so lucky, to have identified their "passion" in life so early. I have friends who are teachers who knew from childhood that teaching is all they wanted to do.  It seems in the last week I have been enveloped in hearing about passion, from American Idol, my daughter's blogs, a friend's wonderful career growth and the Academy Award participants.  Passion abounds.

So.... passion.  I've been pondering it a lot.  Am I finding and fulfilling my passion in my work?  Are you?

Thinking back over just last week, one, single work week, I can tell you that I have witnessed a multitude of passions in action. Participating in meetings on the topics of early childhood education, family interventions and hunger, I sat with people who are passionate about their work which, simply stated is ...people. 

Educators, nurses, social workers, administrators, nutritionists, business people, philanthropists, and stay at home parents. People from diverse backgrounds and with equally diverse goals and dreams using their passion for life to help others.

After one meeting last week, a very smart woman, who I have great respect for asked me an interesting question. She asked,

"in your position, do you find that you are intimidated by the myriad of problems in our communities or are you hopeful that things can change?"

After just a brief moment of consideration, my answer was simple. I look positively toward the future. Not because the problems don't seem overwhelming at times but because the passion I see exhibited to improve life for others is ten times greater.  I've said it before... what makes my job so wonderful is seeing examples every day of the kindness, caring and generosity in so many others. I am passionately thankful for them every day. People who's passion is people. 

Maureen Nelson

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United Way has Prescription for Savings

The United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha and Pierce Counties and FamilyWize are proud to announce that their partnership has saved the people living in our service area more than $41,000 on everyday prescription costs since 2005, $6100 of that in 2011. Statewide the program has saved the people  of Minnesota over $2,366,000 since it's inception in 2005.

The free FamilyWize drug discount card is distributed bythe United Way. "No one should be forced to choose between paying for food, rent or medicine because of the high cost of prescriptions. That's why we've partnered with FamilyWize to distribute free prescription discount cards in our communities", 

This is how it works: the FamilyWize card lowers the cost of medicine by an average of 35% or more for people without insurance or who take medications not covered by their plan. 

It's easy. It's just like a coupon you can keep using every time you need to fill a prescription. All you have to do is present a FamilyWize card at a local pharmacy to get the savings. 

"The FamilyWize card provides immediate savings on prescription medicines with no paperwork or forms to fill out,"
said Dan Barnes, Co-chair of The FamilyWize Community Service Partnership. 

These cards can be used by everyone in the community, not just people without insurance. They can even be used
by people with health benefits, including Medicaid or Medicare.
The FamilyWize card is easy to use:

* It's Free
* For immediate and unlimited use
* Anyone can use the FamilyWize card
* Accepted at 95% of pharmacies nationwide
* No enrollment or personal information needed

 
1,000 United Ways in all 50 states have helped to save $225 million on prescriptions in their communities as of July,
2011.

FamilyWize cards can be found locally at  the United Way Office. People with internet access can go to too www.FamilyWize.org to print a card, look up drug prices and obtain a list of participating pharmacies.

Red Wing Wish List

Cold Cereals

We are in need of breakfast foods because the food bank has not had packable breakfast foods available.

Upcoming Events

Thurs. March 1st