"Teamwork is the secret that make common people achieve (an) uncommon result." This quote by Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha is pinned to my bulletin board. Teamwork is about sacrifice, sharing in a common goal and utilizing the strengths of each member for the benefit of all. At Support Within Reach, staff and volunteers have an intricate part to play in our support for victims and survivors of sexual violence. We work together and incorporate a coordinated community response, ensuring that each survivor is met with compassion. We do this work, thanks to several grants, one of which is from the generous support of the United Way of Bemidji Area.
The United Way is all about teamwork. In fact the tagline is "Live United." When you make a donation to the United Way, your money stays local and supports several different agencies and programs in our area. The United Way supports education for children, youth and adults. They work for financial stability and increased self sufficiency and independence within our community. They work for improving people's health and social well being, and supporting emergency services. Live United is not just a tagline for the United Way, "It's a credo. A mission. A goal. A constant reminder that when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster the health of our communities. And we change the lives of those who walk by us every day."
While the United Way is gearing up for the yearly financial campaign, I want to do my part for the team, and encourage others to participate in body, spirit and where it is needed most, in the pocketbook. I can speak first hand on how important financial donations to this cause are. As one of many recipients of United Way funds, Support Within Reach is able to provide 24 hour support to all victims and survivors of sexual violence. We respond to the emergency room when a rape victim presents themselves, we offer free and confidential services and meet the needs of victims where they are at. We listen and believe without judgment, we assist and accompany in times of difficulty and we are able to witness the resurrection of hope within the survivor. We do this with the generous support of the United Way.
There are several ways to support the United Way within our community.
Attend the Wine and Beer Tasting Gala at Ruttger's on August 13th and enjoy a social evening out with friends or family. Who doesn't look forward to the Chili Cook-Off on Sept. 16 at the Sanford Center (get your tickets now at Lueken's or the United Way office) and stop by to sample and vote for Support Within Reach's chili! Coats and other winter clothing items can be donated to the Coats for the Community drive. You can help someone be warmer this winter! In October, you can keep eating and supporting United Way during Restaurant Days, Oct. 12-16, when you eat out at participating restaurants. United Way also hosts the Backpack Buddies food pack program for kids who are hungry or don't know where their meals will come from when they are out of school on the weekends; coordinates a Week of Caring in the spring to match volunteers with projects that support non-profit organizations. And more!
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The entire community reaps the benefits of the United Way. We encourage you to join us in becoming part of the change by contributing your time, talent and/or treasure in one of these many opportunities. Be significant in someone else's life and help keep the movement going. Watch and listen for all of these opportunities and more in the months to come. I will leave you with one last quote from Mia Hamm, "I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because of the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion." Let's Live United, and support our United Way. Go Bemidji!
