By Laurel Good
Associate Director
Girls, Inc.
Dreams can come true…..
In my 14 years at Girls Inc., I have had a lot of moments where I am proud to be working for an organization that empowers young women. Yesterday, I had another one of those moments.
For those of us that have been here (Girls Inc.) for a while, we have what we call “our generation” of girls. By that I mean, the girls that were here when you started working at Girls Inc. and were here until they reached their teen years and left our Girls Inc. “nest.” My proud moment was when I dropped four letters of recommendation in the mail for one of these girls to attend medical school. The quiet, soft spoken, shy girl that started coming to Girls Inc. when she was 9 is now going to medical school?? WOW! I remember the day when she sat in my office and said “Ms. Laurel, I want to be a pediatrician.”
Dreams can come true.
Like a puzzle, our lives are made up of many “pieces.” For this young lady, there were many pieces that made up her “puzzle.” Girls Inc. was just one piece; United Way was another. It was just a couple of years ago, that her mom called us to help her with her mortgage. Like a lot of people, they were struggling to make ends meet; this could have ultimately affected this young lady’s college dream. All it took was one phone call the United Way. The community rallied together to help this family in their time of need. Thank you United Way and the community, for helping us inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold! We will be proud to one day call our Girls Inc. Alum “Doctor.”
Friday, May 4, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Why Do I Volunteer
by Rich Reichenbaugh
United Way of Washington County Board Member
My parents raised me the golden rule of, 'Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you'. They also taught me to share my blessing with others in need. I have been blessed in many ways: my faith, my family, my friends and my career.
There are those who have not been as fortunate and I have always believed that if I used my passion to select a few goals, I can make a difference in a few lives.
Several years ago, a movie called Pay It Forward was released. This movie centered on a youth choosing a school project in which he would do a favor for three people, in the hopes that they would each do favors for three other people and so on. Pay it forward, not a bad concept!
I am involved with United Way because they reach out to dozens of non-profit organizations that serve thousands of people in our own community. And even though this does not meet all of the need, I volunteer because I see the need and have some ability to work with others to provide change.
Do unto others. I have had down times in my life, as well and there were people and organizations who reached out to help me. They took the time to share and care. I am proud to say that they made a significant impact on me and I hope that I will be able to repay it someone else.
Pay it forward. I have learned that it is better to be involved in only a couple of projects/issues/organizations and place more energy and passion it my efforts than to become involved in a dozen other groups. I became too spread out and did not serve any of them the way they deserved. Volunteering is not about doing what someone tells you to do or what you think is right; it is about using your passion to impact the cause. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Not another cliché; just common sense.
Volunteer to help someone you don’t know. It’s a great way to make new friends, and I promise two things: you will feel better about yourself and the community will know that you care.
United Way of Washington County Board Member
My parents raised me the golden rule of, 'Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you'. They also taught me to share my blessing with others in need. I have been blessed in many ways: my faith, my family, my friends and my career.
There are those who have not been as fortunate and I have always believed that if I used my passion to select a few goals, I can make a difference in a few lives.
Several years ago, a movie called Pay It Forward was released. This movie centered on a youth choosing a school project in which he would do a favor for three people, in the hopes that they would each do favors for three other people and so on. Pay it forward, not a bad concept!
I am involved with United Way because they reach out to dozens of non-profit organizations that serve thousands of people in our own community. And even though this does not meet all of the need, I volunteer because I see the need and have some ability to work with others to provide change.
Do unto others. I have had down times in my life, as well and there were people and organizations who reached out to help me. They took the time to share and care. I am proud to say that they made a significant impact on me and I hope that I will be able to repay it someone else.
Pay it forward. I have learned that it is better to be involved in only a couple of projects/issues/organizations and place more energy and passion it my efforts than to become involved in a dozen other groups. I became too spread out and did not serve any of them the way they deserved. Volunteering is not about doing what someone tells you to do or what you think is right; it is about using your passion to impact the cause. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Not another cliché; just common sense.
Volunteer to help someone you don’t know. It’s a great way to make new friends, and I promise two things: you will feel better about yourself and the community will know that you care.
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