Finding purpose through service: Longtime board member Richard Hester reflects on his years with United Way

Richard Hester remembers meeting a woman at a local community center who was excited to pay taxes.  

She was proud. Programming supported by United Way helped her get a better education. Wrap-around services – transportation, child care – allowed her to do that.  

She reached in her pocket and handed Hester a $5 bill, he recalled. She wanted to give it to United Way.  

“I’ll never forget it. It just touched my heart,” he said. “I said, ‘Now you’re part of United Way – you're an investor too. Together we’ll do this for somebody else.’” 

It’s a story Hester shares to show the impact of United Way of Central Indiana.  

Hester has long been passionate about helping the ALICE population, those who earn above the Federal Poverty Level but not enough to afford a basic household budget. He’s been blessed in life, he said, and feels called to help those who haven’t been as fortunate.  

Hester has been volunteering with United Way of Central Indiana since the 1990s, serving on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and in nearly every aspect of the nonprofit’s work. He’s currently the board’s secretary, chaired community impact and served as fundraising co-chair during the coronavirus pandemic.  

The Indianapolis native said volunteerism has always been part of his life.  

“Mom and Dad always taught my brother, sister and I that it’s important to give back to the community,” said Hester, a graduate of Cardinal Ritter High School and Ball State University.  

Several decades ago, Hester got connected to United Way through his work on the American Red Cross board. The mission drew him in: helping the ALICE population reach self-sufficiency, lifting people out of poverty, not forgetting those who require basic needs. And United Way has the data to show its work and adjust where needed, he said.  

“We are excellent stewards of our investors’ funds,” said Hester, a founder of Indiana Business Advisors. “We can go back and show them how we deployed their dollars to really make an impact in our community.” 

When Hester attends corporate kick-offs, chatting with people at the start of their employer’s United Way fundraising campaign, he talks about the mission, the impact, asks people what they’re passionate about.  

“I think everybody was born to make a difference in the world,” Hester said. “It’s just a matter of finding what that purpose is.”  

He then asks if they want to join him and invest their time or money in helping fellow citizens in need. He talks about United Way’s programs, supportive services for the nonprofit sector and collaboration: “Collaboration is where you get the greatest impact, and there’s nobody that collaborates better than United Way of Central Indiana.” 

Ask Hester to pick a favorite memory from his service with United Way, and he can’t choose just one.  

There are the moments spent watching tutors work with third graders during sessions of ReadUP, United Way’s childhood literacy program.  

There are the moments during the pandemic when the community rallied over a shared mission and vision.  

And there are the moments when Hester sees people’s eyes open, smiles widening, when they realize they can make a difference.  

“There's been so many,” Hester said. “And I’m so excited about our future – because there’s going to be so many more.”