At United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha and Pierce Counties, we understand that the photo above is how some see us. To those who have not gotten to know us, United Way may seem like just another hand asking for money, asking for a hand out. Is that what you see in the photo above?

I hope not.

What I hope you'll see in the photo is someone reaching out a hand to help, offering assistance to a person who is down and needs a hand to get up.

That is what this United Way strives for.

With our annual campaign beginning, we get a lot of questions. We love questions. It gives us the opportunity to tell our story, to help people understand that we are not asking for handouts but offering you the opportunity to lend a hand. 

Many people only hear about United Way at campaign time, when it seems to be all about money. That's the old United Way. Collecting money with one hand, and dispersing it to community needs with the other. That is no longer what we are all about or have really ever been about.

 We are about people. People who need a hand, people working hard to help others, volunteers who  give freely of their time, energy, and expertise.

We are about community. Communities with members who care about others, with leaders who are willing to ask the difficult questions and work toward answers, communities with pride in themselves and the desire for their community to be healthy, and safe for all.

We are not about money.  

We are not about pressure.

We are about YOU!  All of you.

Those who need a hand, those who can afford to lend a hand and those who find pleasure and pride in knowing that they are making their community a better place for everyone. 

Remember the old United Way thermometers?  They showed how much money was raised and how close we were to our financial goal? Well those days are gone, but the thermometer is back. However, it will no longer measure dollars.

Now it will measure hope.  

The hope that is given to children, seniors, people who need a hand. The hope YOU provide with your pledge. Everyone of you pledging to United Way will be asked to sign the thermometer. We will fill it with people and hope, right to the very top, all ten feet of it.

You make the difference. 

You tell us the needs in your neighborhood.

You share of yourselves. 

You care about your communities and the people who live there.

You are the United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties, and we thank you.

 Maureen Nelson