ANNA MONICA

United Way reaches goal

If I read it right, a really good piece of news is that the St. John Parish United Way campaign has reached its goal. For most of us going along in our daily existence that may just be news. But when you get closer to the situation by being a recipient of United Way’s services in one of its programs, or by working as a representative of it, the picture becomes much clearer n and more important. In 1997, I was asked by my employer, Chevron, to be its Loaned Executive in the New Orleans United Way Campaign. Some corporations loan their employees, while still on their payroll, to work for United Way and some put up money to hire workers. We had to attend a week’s class of intense study before becoming full fledged UW reps. I counted 88 presentations (talks) I gave in my three months of service; met some of the finest people, including some who were recipients of UW’s generosity; and had a variety of experiences and adventures that I will always remember and cherish. Anyone who has done this may very well share my sentiments. Because of that tour of duty in 1999, I volunteered to work for our St. John United Way with Dean Torres. Dean was loaded with work but not discouraged with his new assignment. Our association was short-lived because then I had another surgery and, regrettably, couldn’t continue. Let’s face it. With all the negatives going on in the world, and even locally, such as hunger, poverty, homelessness, earthquakes, etc., aren’t we lucky that our biggest problems are whether the Saints will stay in New Orleans; or that Harrah’s might close if it doesn’t get a tax break; or the Endymion parade might be rained out; or why Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise are divorcing. It’s rather ridiculous if you put it in perspective, isn’t it. We can’t give up our way of life to solve the world’s problems, but, nonetheless, don’t we truly feel fortunate in comparison? If you had the opportunity to visit some of the places or meet some of the people who benefit from United Way’s funding, you would know how great the need is out there for our help. We don’t have to look far to find what are now to us faceless fellow humans who are in need in one way or another. United Way has programs that can benefit most of us if our need qualifies us. You would be surprised if you knew some of the people who have received help. When I worked for the N.O. United Way, one of the donors who most impressed me was a shipyard worker, an older African-American, who waved his pledge card in front of me, smiled and proudly proclaimed, “I have been donating to United Way through payroll for at least 20 years. I am not going to stop now.” He was proud of himself; so was I. In giving to United Way, you are giving more than you will ever know to more people than you will ever know. Dean and his volunteers deserve many accolades. ANNA MONICA, a resident of Garyville, writes this column every Wednesday for L’Observateur.