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Heroes
You may or may not have noticed that our newsletter is coming out a day late this week. The only reason I point it out is that I was out of town last week, attending a conference that my husband organizes every year. The conference is for educators and students and is a fast paced, action packed weekend that - once it begins feels like a rocket through time. We begin and two and a half days later it ends after what seems like only minutes.
This year was a little different. There is an awards banquet on Saturday night that featured as guests, two Medal of Honor Recipients, Col. Jack Jacobs and 1st Lt. Harold "Hal" Fritz. Both of these men performed acts of heroism during the Vietnam War and in their presence all 1100 of us in the room were humbled. I thought to myself "here are two real heroes and wow...do we over use that word!" Then after much fanfare and standing ovations, they took the stage.
Both spoke of young people and character development what is happening
in America today. Both spoke to the fact that America is the proud, strong nation it is due to service by it's citizens. Service to community and country are what makes us strong. Whether military, political, or as a community volunteer, we must take care of each other. I was blown away. This is the United Way message that we try to convey every day and here were to absolute heroes saying the same thing. That when we give selflessly to others we become heroes. When we act for the betterment of others with no personal gain in mind for ourselves, we become heroes. We owe it to our country, states and communities to care for its' citizens. ALL of its' citizens.
Col. Jacobs and 1st Lt. Fritz are Heroes, yes-with a capital H. But we can all be heroes if we commit to thinking of others before thinking of self.
Stepping outside of our comfort zone for the good of others is heroic.
Through my job with United Way I have come to know many heroic people. Most of them quietly helping others day after day with no fanfare, no monetary reward, no fame. To all of you, and you know who who are, YOU ARE A HERO! Thank you.
Maureen Nelson
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A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.
Bob Dylan
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"My own heroes are the dreamers, those men and women who tried to make the world a better place than when they found it, whether in small ways or great ones. Some succeeded, some failed, most had mixed results... but it is the effort that's heroic, as I see it. Win or lose, I admire those who fight the good fight."
George R.R. Martin
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Share the Vote Winners
On Thursday, July 12, Dave Herder and Larry Hawe of Thrivent Financial presented a check for $3,800 to Kris Kvols of the HOPE Coalition for the 2012 Share the Vote campaign. HOPE Coalition was one of five Minnesota nonprofits selected to participate in Share the Vote. Community members were asked to vote online during the month of June and the five non-profits split the grant of $15,000 based on votes.
HOPE Coalition came in second place with over 465 votes. "It came out to around $8 per person" said HOPE's Development Coordinator, Emily Nelson. Each person spending 30 seconds online counted as a pledge towards our final goal - they each donated $8 and it only cost them a click of their mouse.
"We are so grateful that Larry put our name into the running for this event. Thrivent was wonderful to work with and we are so thrilled that they chose us as a nonprofit partner for this event." Larry Hawe is also a board member for HOPE Coalition.
A public celebration event was held at Hok-si-la Park last Thursday to celebrate, courtesy of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
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Nestle Purina Employees Clean Up
Nestle-Purina employees volunteered with HOPE Coalition last week to beautify their space. They now have a freshly painted hallway at the Friendship House, fresh paint on the playground equipment at the Red Wing Women's Shelter (it looks like new!), backpacks packed with school supplies for our kids, a reorganized school supply closet, and fresh paint in the apartments at our transitional housing complex. United Way would like to recognize and thank Nestle Purina for their efforts. You are heroes!
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Identity Thieves Benefit by Stealing Social Security Numbers
Easy cash is not the only motive behind identity theft. One of the fastest growing trends associated with this crime are thieves who steal Social Security numbers (SSN's) to apply for jobs, obtain health and other benefits, or fleece unsuspecting victims out of their tax refunds.
Common Signs:
* You have been denied credit or turned down for a loan
* You are receiving debt collector notices even though you are current on your bills
* You are retiring and have been turned down for government benefits
* You are retired, but your Social Security Earnings Statement shows an active wage
* You don't receive the tax refund you were expecting
Immediate Action to Take:
* Call the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline to report that your SSN has been stolen at 1-800-269-0271 (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time)
* Report the theft to one of the three reporting agencies (Experian 1-888-397-3742; Equifax 1-800-437-8432; or Trans Union 1-800-680-7289)
* File a police report with your local police department
* Contact the Federal Trade Commission to file the ID Theft Report and ID Theft Affidavit at ( www.ftc.gov/idtheft)
* Contact the IRS ID Theft Protection Unit at 1-800-908-4490 if you believe, or have evidence that your SSN was used to steal your tax return. Ask for form 14039
* Run a credit report (free once a year by each of the credit reporting agencies) to see if there has been any unauthorized use of your credit accounts, or if there has been new applications for credit that you did not initiate
Note that the annual SS Earnings Statement (ES-Form-7005) can now be accessed on line by going to www.ssa.gov/ You can also request that a copy be mailed to you by calling 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778 .
Need help or have a question?
Call MNSCAMS: 866-347-0911
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Wish List
Cereal
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SCHOOL SUPPLY UPDATE
Our goal for this year was 500 items. Wow were we off the mark! With the support of Christ Episcopal Church and Bic Norwood we have already doubled that amount. So instead of resting on our laurels...we upped the goal to 2500 items. That's a big jump but we believe in all of you and how much you believe in children!
We still need your help! Volunteer to collect supplies in your church, workplace or service organization. |
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Blandin Leadership Program
We are excited to announce that the Blandin Community Leadership Program will be offering another retreat for Red Wing. The leadership retreat is scheduled for November 5-9, 2012 at Ruttger's Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN and the follow up workshops will be held on February 12-13, 2013 and May 7, 2013. If you are interested in applying for the Blandin Community Leadership program, contact the United Way office or visit the Blandin website |
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VolunteerOpportunities
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Y Pals
Community Mentoring Program
Are you willing to make a
difference in a child's life?
You might recall a person in your own life who gave you inspiration and acceptance, someone who show ed you new experiences,
listened to your ideas, and
challenged you to fight through adversities. Many children need that person. That person could be
you.
Through Community Y-Pals you'll be connected with a child in the area, age 5 to 13. Often these children need another caring adult in their lives to provide them with support and friendship. Mentors usually spend one hour or more each week with their Y-Pals. Each pair is unique; you and your Y-Pal can decide what you do and how you spend the time. You're welcome to use the Y
free of charge when you visit
together. The Y also coordinates a number of Y-Pal events and activities throughout the year. A
one-year commitment is required. Being paired with the right mentor can have lifelong benefits to a child or teen:
* Stronger sense of self
* Improved academic success
* Broader vision of the
world & his/her opportunities * New awareness of experiences and attitudes
* Greater sense of security and well being
Click here for more information
Or call Katie Ramstad at the Red Wing Family YMCA:
651-388-4724
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Russ Clevenger Memorial
Golf Tournament
Dinner &
Auction
Monday, August 13th
Cannon Golf Club
12:30pm
4 person scramble format
For more information or to reserve your spot:
Contact
By phone:
Greg Evans
Tournament Chair
507-263-7563
or by email
Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity
gchfh01@gmail.com
All Proceeds Support
Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity
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Noel Evans
Memorial
Golf Scramble
Thursday, August 16th
Zumbrota Golf Club
1:00 pm
* 4-Person Scramble
* 18 holes with cart
* Burgers and brats on the green
* Hole contests and prizes!
$60 per person
$200 per foursome
Register online
To Benefit Children in Need
HOPE Coalition
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