Labor Day and back to school

Kim Katic, Wells Fargo and United Way board member, blogs on Labor Day and back to school.  Well she did write this on Labor Day and is often the case with computer conversions, I've been unable to load it until now.  Enjoy Kim's perspective!  Thanks Kim!

WOW....  it's hard to believe, as I write this blog it is September 5th, 2011.  Where has time gone?  Today is the day to celebrate Labor Day, a day that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.  This is also the day before most of our children start a brand new school year!!!

As I think about my daughter, Kristina starting 5th grade, I wonder what the school year holds for her.....along with all the other children starting school tomorrow.  I think about how many children will now have at least 1 meal a day that is nutritious, how many children will be in a loving, caring environment for at least 6 hours a day--Monday through Friday.  How some children will have some very basic needs met, that they probably didn't have all summer!!! 

Then I think about all of the volunteers that United Way has, led by a phenomenal executive director Dee Anne.  I think about the passion that she displays along with each board member/committee member or volunteer, I feel honored to be part of such a GREAT organization.  When I think of CAN (Child Abuse Network) and the METH project, 2 of many projects that United Way leads/educates throughout our community, what else can I say except WOW!!!!

How can we as a community ensure that every child not only has a GREAT school year, but a loving, nurturing, caring family and community, so that way he/she can grow into the dynamic, remarkable leader that we know each child has the potential to be.  We, as a community have to partner together to ensure that happens and being a board member/volunteer with United Way, is one way that I feel I can help make that happen!!!!

So again, apologies for the delay.  It was my doing not Kim's.  Onward,