Many months ago, Ann Austin, Executive Director of the United Way of Freeborn County, passed out boxes of crayons and pieces of blank paper to board members. The question: “What does Live United mean to you?” The challenge: create an image, drawn in crayon, to illustrate it. There were a few nervous glances and the question evident on those faces was, “What are we doing?” Since that day, I have thought frequently about that challenge, and I will share my image later.

Ann, who will certainly be embarrassed at my writing this, is the epitome of Live United. She is a passionate and caring individual who is actively involved in a multitude of organizations in our community. You might say she does it because of her role as executive director, but anyone who has met and spoken with her for even a few moments sees the genuine desire she has to improve the lives of each and every individual in our community. As an embodiment of Live United she generously shares the blessings she has been given and distributes them as gifts to others.

As I thought about Ann and the blessings she selflessly shares with others, I reflected upon the blessings that have been given to me and my family. Admittedly, I could better utilize and share the blessings that have been provided to me, but I can say I treasure them as they have enriched my life.

How am I blessed?

I am blessed to have a wonderful husband, and two fantastic little guys (who happily run us ragged). I have exceptional extended family members who have, and always will be there for us through the good and the bad.

I, and my family, are blessed with good health. While our little guys are filled with abundant energy and leave us chasing them in many directions, we are blessed that they are healthy enough to do so.

I, and my husband, are blessed with good jobs. We can afford health insurance, as well as a home, vehicles, insurance and even vacations.

As I thought about my blessings, I had to consider those who do not have those same blessings.

There are people in our community who have been abused, physically and/or emotionally, by someone they love.

There are people in our community who don’t have a support network, either emotional or financial.

There are people in our community without health insurance. Not because they don’t want it, but because they cannot afford it.

There are people in our community who have lost their jobs, even after working five, 10, or 15 years or more at a company.

There are people in our community who have to calculate to the penny the amount in their checking account, if they have one, or how much cash they have before going grocery shopping.

There are people in our community who cannot afford to go to the grocery store.

There are people in our community who know what it is like to keep the thermostat at 55 degrees, and huddle in one room covered with blankets and rugs, because they cannot afford the heating bill.

There are people in our community… and the list continues, which leads to my image of Live United.

What is my image? My Live United vision is a peaceful and joyous picture in which everyone walks along the same path. Some people are in front, and some people are in back, but we are all moving in the same direction, together. Some people are holding hands and walking side-by-side, while others are offering a hand to help someone who has stumbled, while others are encouraging someone to keep moving forward, even when the path gets steep. In my vision, we are traversing this path, hills and flatland, together. The only way we succeed, as a community, is if we reach the end of our journey together. If we leave someone behind, or we forget someone, then we do not succeed.

This is our community, and how we help the person next to us, is determined by us. We can accomplish this in a variety of ways, which may include giving a gift of money, or through a gift of time or talent.

As we embark on a new year, I ask that you consider how you can help one person in our community. If you are able to donate in some way, please remember one thing, it’s not simply making a donation, it’s making a difference in our community.

Heather Earl is a board member of the United Way of Freeborn County.