Kick-off event brings up strong feelings

The United Way Community Campaign Kick-Off event was held at the Sacramento Convention Center on Friday, Sept. 11. That morning, our United Way staff members passed out American flag stickers in honor of the tragedy that took place in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania just eight years ago; we all remember that horrific day that changed our country forever, and WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

While passing out the stickers to the kick-off attendees, I took a quick glance around the convention hall, and I was beyond elated of what I saw. I saw that strong American spirit …..I saw a room filled with positive people who are encouraged, seeking and providing community support, feeling excited, hopeful, and inspired! This is the very reason why I work in this field and why I love my job as much as I do! In my heart, I know that every cent raised in our community will go towards helping to bring a smile to a young child’s heart, provide a coat for a senior for those chilly winter days, help put food on a dinner table for a working single mom and so many other vital necessities in our region.

United Way Campaign staffer Mary Beth Pilon feels there is no greater reward than being able to help others! Seeing the sparkle in somebody’s eyes can make time stand still. In her spare time, she is always on the go, surrounding herself with her friends and family; especially cheering on her niece, Loren, and her nephew, Parker!

Target employees volunteer together

Aug. 10, 2009 -- Friday was an amazing and fun day for me! More than 400 local and regional Target employees graciously gave their time and participated in a National Corporate-Wide Target Volunteer Day. I was at the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services (SFBFS) and Cherie Parsons (my fellow campaign staff team member) was at the Placer County Food Bank and El Dorado County Food Bank. At SFBFS, the Target employees and I enjoyed the day sorting, stacking, boxing, packing, bagging, moving, and counting......all to help families in need! ….That’s how I LIVE UNITED, and boy, do I love what I do! I can't say enough about all the wonderful people from Target that came out and made a positive impact on countless lives on Friday. Way to contribute. Way to LIVE UNITED!

 

WOW! This was a real eye-opener for sure…..especially for those data and analytical gurus! United Way hosted a campaign training recently at the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services called CAN-DO (it stands for Campaign Analysis Now-Developing Objectives).

United Way of America's Charlie Guarre facilitated the training along with the help of our entire campaign staff. We had 11 local companies participating in the training and everybody took away many valuable outcomes and successful campaign best practices that they will take back to their committees and councils. I am now going into my second campaign year and I have to admit that I learned just as much as the other participants and campaign coordinators. I am getting really excited and looking forward to those long fall days where campaign events and meetings run back-to-back. It's how I LIVE UNITED and it's exactly why I love what I do!!!

Pancakes & UPS (July 30, 2009) -- Fellow United Way employees Isie Waters, Cherie Parsons, Donna Mobley, Tanya Arambula and I have been at UPS in West Sacramento at 6:30 a.m. twice lately! We have worked at the UPS Pancake Breakfast to help kick off their employee giving campaign. They are always fun and very entertaining, to say the least: pouring and flipping pancakes on the griddles…..Cherie & Donna even made some Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes, which the drivers loved! We had to keep sausage links in the warmers and filled and ready to serve and make sure no one walks away hungry! Who says 6:30 a.m. can’t be fun! There were 10 United Way agencies there one day that were able to talk to the UPS employees about all the amazing services they provide. I don’t know about you, but what can be more fun than eating pancakes and talking about giving back to our local communities!?!? Exactly!