Creating a Memorable Footprint

The Cedar Valley United Way has always partnered with UNI on their annual campaign. Over the last few years, the commitment and contribution levels haven’t been where they should have been. This year, President Rudd and the university’s faculty/staff members have turned things around. The commitment and contribution levels have increased tremendously as has people’s participation in actually filling out and turning in pledge forms. Along with the President and other faculty staff members, my head basketball coach, Ben Jacobson, has worked to increase awareness throughout the community. He has given presentations, handed out flyers, and encouraged others to get involved by making a monthly pledge. Coach Jake was quoted "My wife Dawn and I are in year 14 both on campus and in Cedar Falls. We feel very fortunate to live, work, and raise our family in such a great place. As we all know, however, it's never the place, it's the people who make the place special".

Growing up myself, I have witnessed companies like United Way who help throughout the community as much as possible with numerous of activities. The United way provides kids and their families with resources and opportunities that without them, many wouldn't be able to survive or be made aware of the opportunities the world has to offer. Just think, most kids in lower income areas, single parents, or parents who are unemployed, don't really get a chance to see what the rest of the world outside of their city has offer them. These people could be compared to a fish in a fish bowl with constraints. They only become accustomed to what's around them or what they see, often unaware that life has many other opportunities in which they may be successful in.

I was recently contacted by the Cedar Valley United Way campaign director, Jenny Graeser, who has lived in the Cedar Valley her entire life. She grew up in East Waterloo and is a UNI graduate, who has worked as the United Way Campaign Director for five and a half years. Sometimes knowing someone like Jenny can go along way. Jenny is a proud alum of ours who cares about others and has seen what it means to have the effect on someone's life. She told me "One of the kids I worked with has never even been or seen anything other than the street he lived on." I have been fortunate to travel many places due to basketball, but I don't take any of it for granted. If I hadn't been involved in basketball, I might have been in a similar situation. I thank GOD for the many blessings I have been given in my life so far.  Jenny has worked for everything she has, which makes success a full-circle and has never forgotten where she came from. Jenny is giving back to her community and enjoys working with people. Recently, Jenny has been busy with helping to raise awareness of the United Way Student Campaign, which is currently going on and ends on November 14th at 5 pm. Students, who don't have money to contribute to the campaign can help out in other ways, such as donating their time and participating in activities. Needless to say, programs such as United Way, have had a large impact on others’ lives, serving the youth in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. Programs the United Way offers and makes available include: after school programs, Big Brother/Big Sisters, and Boys and Girls Club to name a few. One of the programs the United Way is heavily involved with is the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.

            The Northeast Iowa food bank is a funded partner of United Way, which means they financially support a variety of programs. Without the United Way’s support, some of the programs wouldn't exist. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank currently serves a 16-county area, so much food is needed to help families. Their work and reach affects many area families and as a result, is always seeking donations of food or money. Their current project is a Student Food Drive, partnering with seven local high schools to help collect food for families in need over the holidays.

            I have been fortunate growing up to have both parents in my life and not have to worry about where my next meal was going to come from. I do know people in my neighborhood who have been in this situation, which could be due to single parent or living with friends. I know that when people came to my home, my family would always welcome them into our home. My parents knew all of my friends growing up, so they would always tell them that they were more than welcome to stay at our home or come over whenever they wanted. I had a lot of friends growing up due to playing basketball and basketball helped keep us out of trouble. We made sure to stay busy with basketball and held each other accountable. We looked out for each other. Without programs such as the United Way, we may have gotten into trouble and wouldn't have been where we are today.

            As a reminder, the United Way/ UNI Student Campaign is currently going on until November 14, 2014, ending at 5 pm. Students who don’t have money to give should consider volunteering their time and build awareness for this campaign. If you want or would like more information, please feel free to contact Jenny or I and we will be sure to get you involved. Make a difference in your community today!

Watch this video of my coach to learn more about the United Way and its campaign:

http://www.uni.edu/president/unitedway

Resource:
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNIunitedwaystudentcampaign
Visit the Cedar Valley United Way’s website: www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org

Never Forget

This week, I'm going to share with you a story about one of Iowa's own. From Ames, Iowa, Harrison Barnes. Harrison full name is Harrison Bryce Jordan Barnes given the middle name "Jordan" after Michael Jordan, whom Barnes' mother was a big fan of. While growing up, Harrison was known as a hard worker and had much responsibility since his mother, Shirley, was a single-parent raising him and his younger sister. His mother remembers the self-motivation Harrison had while playing basketball at Ames High School. "His whole high school career, he had a handwritten sign that was taped to his mirror that said, 'Hungry and humble,'" she said. "He just always wanted to be humble." "The biggest influence to me was my mom," Barnes said. "She worked extremely hard and she believed in me."

I, personally have witnessed just how humble Harrison is while playing on the same AAU team, the Howard Pulley Panthers, a few summers ago. I would describe him as a competitive guy who is willing to do whatever it takes for his team to win. He never gives up and is willing to let you know he is all about winning, but his off the court presence was the biggest thing that stood out to me. Even though he is now an NBA basketball, he remains as humble as he did in high school or college. He was never stuck up or cocky, but just a normal guy who loves basketball.

Continuing his basketball legacy and his compassion for other people, Harrison is a example of someone who has never forgot where they came from. Shortly before the beginning of his rookie season, he took part in the Back to School Rookie Reading Rally at Sobrante Park Elementary School in Oakland. I myself have participated in a similar program here at UNI. It is a great experience and I am excited to be partaking in it again on November 13^th.

            Today Harrison still considers himself as just a kid from a small town. For every home game, Harrison donates 15 tickets to the Boys and Girls Club, as a participant in this program when he was younger. He wanted to reach out to the Bay Area Boys and Girls Club, where he resides, while not forgetting about his Iowa club. He knew the impact the Boys and Girls Club had on him as a young child, so he wanted to be sure to help others receive and achieve the same benefits and opportunities he has had from the program. Harrison said "I attribute so much of who I am and what I've become to (Iowa) just because it kept me very humble," Barnes said. "It's helped me become the player I am and the person I am". Continuing his connection with the Warriors and the Boys and Girls Club, Harrison helped renovate the basketball court to ensure the kids have the best condition facilities to get better every day. Harrison was quoted saying "Maybe if I had a place like this to practice at while growing up, I would have become a better player than I am today".

Video below:

Below is a video of Harrison and kids playing and going through drills on the new court:

http://www.nba.com/warriors/video/2014/06/09/sfcourtmov-3296701

Knowing that someone like Harrison or myself who cares about the community in which we currently reside in almost as much as we do our hometowns is very important. Without you, there is no us. With all the love and support that is shown to basketball players, the least we can do is give our time back to ensure that we truly do care about others. We're not just basketball players, but are regular people. No matter what talent you were given, you can help to continue to build your community as well. Never let anyone discourage from being the one who is always willing to help others and get outside your comfort zone. For that someone or community involvement you participate in will go a long way.

A quote that has stuck with me for quite some time is, "I will forever remain humble because I know I could have less. I will always be grateful because I know I've had less". -Author Unknown

If you want to read more on how I personally have given back to my community click here. If you’re interested in reading more on Harrison's involvement in the Bay area or his hometown Ames click on one of the links below.

Ticket Donation

Renovated Basketball Court

Pay it Forward

Random Act of Kindness

PAWWSH, which stands for the Panther’s Annual World Wide Scavenger Hunt, is organized through UNI students and is based on GISHWHES. The scavenger hunt is held annually through UNI, and includes participants, both young and old, who want to undertake this hunt. Items on the list are based on amazing and sometimes life-changing activities that will bring smiles and laughter throughout the Cedar Valley and spread worldwide! Besides bringing these core values into people’s lives, we also want to help those who have continuously given their time and talent to help others. We will have items on the list that will involve completely random acts of kindness that you will pass on to others. Each student involved with PAWWSH will have fun and gain valuable leadership experience.

I was asked by my professor to join the team for PAWWSH. I really wanted to participate in this challenge because I was given more exciting news about all the tasks and challenges I was about to complete. So due to schedule conflict, I helped out with a task participants had to complete.  The challenge that I helped with was a 20-second video showing this challenge:  Challenge a UNI Athlete to a game of hopscotch.  The video must show the athlete losing and the athlete must be in his or her full UNI team uniform, including the athlete's name and team in writing, at the beginning of the video. Watch the video below to how I helped both my teacher and fellow classmates complete this challenge. The purpose of the challenge was to show that everyone loses sometimes and the importance of being a team player and a good sport. It is important to practice good sportsmanship in everything we do. It was difficult for me to lose on purpose, because to those who know me, I am very competitive.

Watch my participation in this challenge here:
http://youtu.be/SBKobzNFVh0

Doing a random act of kindness is something many of us should try to do on a daily basis. It doesn't always have to be a monetary contribution or giving time, it can be as simple as giving someone a smile or engaging them in a conversation. You never know what someone else may be going through in their life or what he or she is dealing with. For example, if you're going through a drive-thru, either a fast food place or for coffee, a simple task is to buy the coffee of the person behind you. They then maybe will do the same thing or pay-it forward. You never know exactly the impact you can have on someone's day or life with a small act of kindness.

            Completing a random act of kindness makes me feel good, knowing that I was able to help someone out and possibly make their day better. If someone helps you out, you will be more willing to help someone else as well. By me doing this, it helped the team try to achieve their goal. I would like to encourage you do something randomly and see the effect you have on someone. You should do it not because you think you will be rewarded or praised, but because you want to make a difference. Be grateful every day you wake up and you’re able to do what you can do. Remember, there is always someone who is worse off then you and may not be able to do what you can. Everyone has a weakness, but instead of focusing on the weaknesses or disabilities, let’s focus on the positives/strengths, and pay it forward. So today, tomorrow, or this weekend take part in a random act of kindness!!

My teacher, Marty Hansen, and my peers took 3rd place out of 15 teams and 90 participants.

Have you done a random act of kindness for someone recently? If so Share it with PAWWSH on their website click here. http://www.unipawwsh.com

To read more of my personal community involvement click here.