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