Letter - A private pledge will match up to $15,000

To the editor:

When I was a child, my mother was careful with our limited finances. We had only the necessities, and I remember her sighing and saying, “Well, I guess I can do without… if it means we can…,” sacrificing her needs to ensure that my sister and I had what we needed. As children, we didn’t understand those sacrifices. Our mother was only 57 when she passed away in 2009. My only regret is feeling I didn’t fully repay the debt of gratitude I owed her.

Today, with children of our own, her words weigh on my heart when making decisions that impact them. Today, our family is blessed with an ability to give. I choose to serve and give to our United Way to pay my debt of gratitude to my mother.

I thank the generous people of this area as we continue our fundraising campaign for 2012-13. I especially thank our United Way staff and board of directors, along with our campaign co-chairs, the Lee and Judy Backhaus family and Barb Ostrander. Their collective leadership and dedication have been exemplary. It is a privilege for me to serve and lead such a wonderful organization.

We have a tremendous opportunity to give back as a community on Give to the Max Day, Thursday, November 15. Our local United Way was given a private pledge to match up to $15,000 of donations during this event. This is an amazing gift that will help us meet more local needs. I encourage everyone to visit www.givemn.org and donate to our local United Way. For assistance, please contact our staff at (320) 834-7800. Don’t let this opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life pass you by!

One more donor, one more dollar, one more life changed. Thank you for your generosity!

Shawn Green, president,

United Way of Douglas and

Pope Counties

Alexandria, MN

Tags: opinion, letters