When I was a kid, I listened to a radio preacher every morning as I awoke. One morning, he told the story of a train on a journey. Dr. Mathison explained that life was much more than the arrival at a destination, but that much of the purpose of life was to enjoy the trip. He explained that the destinations in life will always change. . .when I turn 16, when I graduate, when I get married, when I have kids, when my kids sleep through the night, when I get a promotion, when I get my dream job, when I'm  

older. . .Remember, the secret of life is to enjoy the journey. I tell myself this daily as life seems to become busier and busier.  

As I think about the journey, I enjoy seeing people who are inspiring about living their life of today to the fullest. I heard someone say recently, that the people who are the most successful are the ones who truly enjoy their jobs, the activities that fill their day. Knowledge can be taught, but passion comes from the inside. Over the long run, the persons who pursue the activities of their day with passion, will outlive, outlast, and outperform those with knowledge.

I get to watch a lot of folks in our community who do their jobs with passion--whether it's a paid job or a volunteer job.  I see them work tirelessly on behalf of others. I see them literally run to the other side of the field to help the opposition. I see them give up their own interests so that something bigger can come and take its place. I see them make sacrifices, often unseen, to build up those who may need a word of hope, a meal, a sense that someone does care about them in our community.  

At United Way, we are on a journey. Short term, we are in the middle of a campaign season towards a destination of $4 million dollars. We are in the middle of the work this month, in the middle of the "asks." Our staff, volunteers,  

and over 100 companies in our community who are running "workplace giving campaigns" are all working for the destination of November, of celebrating results.

At United Way we are also on a long-term journey. While short term, we are providing funds to assist with a meal for a shut-in, a safe place for after school care for a young person, a safe place for a victim of domestic abuse to turn, affordable medical and dental care for a family in need. Long term, we are providing a better life for all those who live and work in our community where everyone has an opportunity for a quality education, financial stability and good health--the three basic building blocks of life.

We invite you to be a part of this journey, to be a part of the change. While many people have been on this United Way "train" with us for many years, we invite you to continue this year. Your support is greatly needed and much appreciated. While there are others, who are just getting aboard, and we invite you to be a part of the change. To create lasting change in community conditions, to create a better life for all that live here, and in so doing create a better community for ourselves.

Live United,

Danelle Glasscock

Executive Director