Responding to our community’s needs, together

Over Thanksgiving, I enjoyed a unique moment when my wife, our kids and extended family were all sitting at the table together sharing a meal. With school, homework, activities and work schedules normally competing for attention, it was glorious to sit, eat and actually talk to each other.

As I took a big bite of turkey, one of my daughters said she passed along some of my words of wisdom to a friend who was struggling. I almost choked on my food as I smiled at her. It is one of those precious moments in parenting when you realize your children are actually listening to and learning from you.

What I shared with her was this: The definition of success, to me, is simply our ability to respond. When we respond to a neighbor’s call for help, we are successful. When a colleague is sick and we can deliver food to their doorstep, we are successful. When we can lend an ear or even a nice text message to a friend who needs support, we are successful. When we can donate food to a pantry or show up to volunteer, we are successful.

At United Way, when we respond to the need in our community with investments that help more people live the lives they are capable of living, we are successful.

That’s where donors like you come in. If you are able to respond today with an end-of-year donation and help us achieve our ambitious goal of ending poverty in our community, I thank you. Only with your support can we be successful at providing safe and affordable housing for families who need it the most; greater access to high quality education for our children; a smoother path for adults to gain a better job; and the life-saving essentials to our vulnerable neighbors in crisis.

Thank you for your response to our community’s call for help.

Sincerely, 
Fred Payne 
President & CEO 
United Way of Central Indiana 

P.S. Inspired by United Way’s “Every Person Has a Purpose” campaign, I felt compelled to share this personal story with you. If you have words of wisdom that you live by or have a purpose in your life that you’d like to share, I would love to listen and respond to you. Feel free to reply here and share your story with me.