Live United by Erin Haag

 

On Wednesday night, my husband and I harvested my potatoes and carrots from my garden. As we dug, we were feeling a little nostalgic since the next day was our anniversary. We talked about our first house and the landscaping we did there. We worked hard to remove creeping juniper that had taken over everything. It took a few years, but eventually our landscaping got to the point where strangers would come and ask for a tour. 

Ten years later, we’re living in another state, a different house. We don’t have much for flowers here, but we’ve had a pretty good-sized garden for a few years, figuring out what works for us. This year was our first year growing broccoli. That was fun, even when my daughter cried because she found a green worm at suppertime. We’ll grow them again next year. We also had our first good harvest of watermelon. In the past, our watermelons never turned out. Our children had a wonderful time sharing produce with neighbors and friends. My husband is taking notes on exactly what we did, so we can duplicate the things that worked and let go of the things that didn’t. Gardening is a process, much like anything in life. It’s a series of trial and error, of finding the right balance between busy schedules and the battle against weeds. It’s dedicating time to having a plan, and the patience to allow it to grow.

Anyone figure out my analogy this time yet? You didn’t think I was just talking about gardening without bringing it back around to the United Way of Freeborn County did you?

Community work is the work of gardening. You plant the seeds, you water and care for it and eventually it grows into something lasting. The first year, you tend to have smaller expectations. Our expectations for our Dine United/Fall Fest event a couple weeks ago was exactly that — small. We didn’t expect what we got: a bumper crop. Despite a cool wind bringing the temperatures down, people gathered to share a meal and listen to music. Kids blew bubbles and rode roller coasters, and everyone came to see the window displays downtown. Our Beer Mile was good, clean fun, with teams of people skipping, wearing costumes and laughing.

Thank you to all of the hard work, generous giving and participation of all those who made this possible. We’ve already got questions if we’re doing it again next year. My answer is yes! Like any garden, things will change, we’ll take detailed notes on what worked and what didn’t. The feedback has been very positive, and we can’t wait to come up with ideas for next year.

Until then, remember that this was our kickoff. Our work is far from over. Kristin and I have added to our team two interns, three regular volunteers and new board members. We’re making the rounds in the community with presentations for workplace campaigns, awareness of our programs and much more.

This year, our campaign goal is $4775,000. It’s a big number, doing big work. Let’s break it down a little more. Our campaign goal is roughly $14 per person in Freeborn County. Not everyone is able to give $14 and that’s OK. Some are able to give a little more, some a little less. Some can step up and give of their time, their talent. At the end of the day, if everyone participates in some way, our community comes out ahead.

If you’d like to participate in the United Way of Freeborn County campaign, ask your workplace how to get involved. We’re happy to bring materials, come in with a display, hang out in the breakroom or come to an employee meeting. Each business is able to customize a campaign that works for them.

Give our office a call at 507-373-8670 and help our community LIVE UNITED.

Erin Haag is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.