By now, many of you have met the 2011 Live United Campaign Chair, Scott Heck, and his alter ego, Scotty Idol. As he showed you a different side of his personality, he asked that everyone do something different FOR someone this year: mentor a child, speak up for education, check on an elderly neighbor, or make a contribution.
Many of us have hopes and dreams; dreams as extravagant as becoming a sports star or as simple as learning a new hobby. Some dreams are more urgent, such as urgent as being able to feed your family and buy warm clothes for a Minnesota winter. Along the way to those dreams, we have met people who have inspired and influenced our path. We have met people who have mentored and guided us along the way.
For many in our community, they are still looking for that inspiration or that mentor; someone who can provide encouragement to a person when they are the most overwhelmed by doubt. Doubt that creeps in at the end of the month, when some parents have to choose between food and warm clothes for their children. Doubt lurking in the classroom, where a student faces obstacles and wonders if they can pass this class, let alone graduate or go to college.
Doubt cripples hopes. Doubt kills dreams. And the only known cure is support; from family, from friends, and from the community.
This is where the United Way and partner organizations step in. Living United, we can conquer doubt, revive dreams, and make tomorrow a better place.
What will YOU differently this year to make a difference in someone’s life?
Who knows. Through helping someone else, you might find the life you change…is your own.
Join the United Way at Taste of Rochester this weekend. If you have not yet done so, read Scott Heck’s campaign kick-off letter. Visit the Be the 1 blog for other inspiring stories.
