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  <atom:title type="html">Blog</atom:title>
  <atom:subtitle>d24b0a64525d2311ea7c42f67d2a960e</atom:subtitle>

  <atom:updated>2012-01-04T23:15:41-05:00</atom:updated>

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             rel="alternate" type="text/html"/>

  

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    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Guest Blogger, Anne Ashbey Pierotti</atom:title>

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          <![CDATA[
          
&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This week's guest blogger is Anne Ashbey Pierotti.&amp;nbsp; She's the new executive director of the Ashland Independent Film Festival and if you're not met her, you must.&amp;nbsp; She's brilliant, a marketing expert, social media wiz and great human being.&amp;nbsp; Being appointed executive director of AIFF allowed Anne to blend her avocation and her vocation.&amp;nbsp; We're lucky enough to have her on our board.&amp;nbsp; Here she is on gratitude.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Gratitude&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;What an incredible year it’s been for our United
Way! As you read in Dee Anne’s holiday post, the accomplishments this year are
impressive to say the least. Add to that an incredibly successful campaign
which will exceed it’s target – and we are well positioned to continue this
good work into 2012. Way to Live United, Rogue Valley!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;The spirit of generosity and compassion that is evident
in these success stories is what drives my own involvement in United Way.
Whether through HOPE Chest or CAN, WiLL or Day of Caring, I feel blessed to
have come to know many of the individuals whose tireless efforts make this work
possible. Thank you for inspiring and educating me, and reaching a helping hand
to those in need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;For my annual blog reflection, I offer this video
meditation on Gratitude from award-winning cinematographer Louis Schwartzberg,
presented at TEDxSF: &lt;a href="http://youtu.be/gXDMoiEkyuQ"&gt;http://youtu.be/gXDMoiEkyuQ&lt;/a&gt;. It’s worth
ten minutes of your time, and I hope it inspires you to make every day of the
coming year a good day.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;From Schwartzberg's Ted talk, “You think
this is just another day in your life. It's not just another day. It's the one
day that is given to you – today. It's given to you. It's a gift. It's the only
gift you have, right now. And the only appropriate response is gratefulness. If
you do nothing else but to cultivate that response, that unique gift that this
day is; if you learn to respond as if it were the first day of your life, and
the very last day, then you will have spent this day very well.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;Begin by opening your eyes and be
surprised that you have eyes you can open, that incredible array of colors that
is constantly offered to us, for pure enjoyment. Look at the sky. We so rarely
look at the sky. We so rarely note how different it is from moment to moment with
clouds coming and going. We just think of the weather, and even of the weather
we don’t think of the all the many nuances of weather, we just think of good
weather and bad weather. This day, right now, has unique weather, maybe a kind
that will never exactly in that form come again. The formation of clouds in the
sky will never be the same as it is right now.&amp;nbsp;Open your eyes, look at
that.&lt;br /&gt;
Look at the faces of people whom you
meet. Each one has an incredible story behind their face, a story that you
could never fully fathom, not only their own story, but the story of their
ancestors. They all go back so far. And in this present moment, on this day,
all the people you meet, all the life from generations and from so many places
all over the world, flows together and meets you here, like a life giving water
if you only open your heart and drink.&lt;br /&gt;
Open your heart to the incredible gifts
that civilization gives to us. You flip a switch and there's electric light. You
turn a faucet and there's warm water and cold water, and drinkable water, it's
a gift that millions and millions in the world will never experience.&lt;br /&gt;
These are just a few of an enormous
number of gifts to which we can open your heart, and so I wish you that you
will open your heart to all these blessings, and let them flow through you,
that everyone whom you will meet on this day will be blessed by you, just by
your eyes, by your smile, by your touch, just by your presence. Let the
gratefulness overflow into blessing all around you.&lt;br /&gt;
And then it will really be a good day.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Thanks Anne!&amp;nbsp; Onward to a really good day!&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2012-01-04T23:15:41-05:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2012-01-04T23:15:41-05:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Guest Blogger, Sue Slack</atom:title>

      <atom:link rel="alternate" type="text/html"
                 href="http://www.unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org/uwjc-blog/archive/2011/12/29/guest-blogger-sue-slack">
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      <atom:id>e8e4b0c1875858e2e5af0ab8afab3420</atom:id>
      <atom:summary>We have just concluded the holiday season.  A season that offers much, but most of all inspires us to be generous. </atom:summary>

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sue Slack's originally posted blog was incomplete.&amp;nbsp; She is a real champion.&amp;nbsp; She's willing to do everything from policy research to schlepping Day of Caring Materials.&amp;nbsp; Thanks to Sue for this guest entry and now to Sue...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Throughout 2011, you have read blogs from my fellow United
Way Board members.&amp;nbsp; The blogs are eloquent, inspiring and loving; just
like the people who write them. Before we look to 2012, allow me to thank each
of you on the Board for the gift of your friendship and the privilege to work
with you.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We have just concluded the holiday season.&amp;nbsp; A season
that offers much, but most of all inspires us to be generous.&amp;nbsp; Regardless
of our means or beliefs, the holiday season has given each of us an opportunity
to be grateful for what we have and helpful to others.&amp;nbsp; Now what?&amp;nbsp;
Several years ago, I found the words of Howard Thurman that seemed to sum up
where we go from here.&amp;nbsp; It’s a poem about Christmas, but I believe it
applies to all of us in our human community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center" style="text-align: center;"&gt;The Work of Christmas&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;When the song of angels is stilled,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When the star in the sky is gone,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When the kings and princes are
home,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When the shepherds are back with
their flock,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The work of Christmas begins:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to find the
lost,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to heal the
broken,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to feed the
hungry,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to release
the prisoner,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to rebuild
the nations&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to bring
peace among the brothers,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to make
music in the heart.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;That’s a pretty tall order; it’s a good thing big goals get
met with tiny steps.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Everyday we can give a gift and take a
step.&amp;nbsp; We can give the gifts of time, support, friendship, personal
dignity, self-esteem, wisdom, courage, kindness, love, compassion, shelter,
service, joy, laughter, high spirits, miracles and music in the
heart.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; We’re all in this together.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Take a moment each
day to consider your gift and to appreciate the gifts you receive.&amp;nbsp; A new
year is upon us, a perfect time to recommit to what is important.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I sincerely hope your 2012 is the best possible for you and
your family.&amp;nbsp; May you all be blessed.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Give generously, accept graciously and Live United&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center" style="text-align: center;"&gt;Thanks Sue.&amp;nbsp; Onward to 2012.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-12-29T17:01:22-05:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-12-29T17:01:22-05:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Guest Blogger, Sue Slack</atom:title>

      <atom:link rel="alternate" type="text/html"
                 href="http://www.unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org/uwjc-blog/archive/2011/12/26/guest-blogger-sue-slack">
        http://plone.org/
      </atom:link>

      <atom:id>4837fd5b6827eb43069bbd859ca53af2</atom:id>
      

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          <![CDATA[
          
&lt;p&gt;Sue Slack is a champion volunteer.&amp;nbsp; She shows up, the real number one test of a great volunteer.&amp;nbsp; Sue is always willing to help with everything from policy rese&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Throughout 2011, you have read blogs from my fellow United
Way Board members.&amp;nbsp; The blogs are eloquent, inspiring and loving; just
like the people who write them. Before we look to 2012, allow me to thank each
of you on the Board for the gift of your friendship and the privilege to work
with you.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We have just concluded the holiday season.&amp;nbsp; A season
that offers much, but most of all inspires us to be generous.&amp;nbsp; Regardless
of our means or beliefs, the holiday season has given each of us an opportunity
to be grateful for what we have and helpful to others.&amp;nbsp; Now what?&amp;nbsp;
Several years ago, I found the words of Howard Thurman that seemed to sum up
where we go from here.&amp;nbsp; It’s a poem about Christmas, but I believe it
applies to all of us in our human community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center" style="text-align: center;"&gt;The Work of Christmas&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When the song of angels is stilled,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When the star in the sky is gone,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When the kings and princes are
home,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When the shepherds are back with
their flock,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The work of Christmas begins:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to find the
lost,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to heal the
broken,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to feed the
hungry,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to release
the prisoner,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to rebuild
the nations&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to bring
peace among the brothers,&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; to make
music in the heart.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;That’s a pretty tall order; it’s a good thing big goals get
met with tiny steps.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Everyday we can give a gift and take a
step.&amp;nbsp; We can give the gifts of time, support, friendship, personal
dignity, self-esteem, wisdom, courage, kindness, love, compassion, shelter,
service, joy, laughter, high spirits, miracles and music in the
heart.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; We’re all in this together.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Take a moment each
day to consider your gift and to appreciate the gifts you receive.&amp;nbsp; A new
year is upon us, a perfect time to recommit to what is important.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I sincerely hope your 2012 is the best possible for you and
your family.&amp;nbsp; May you all be blessed.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Give generously, accept graciously and Live United&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;

Onward, heading in to 2012.&amp;nbsp; Take this week and reflect, rejoice and be present.&amp;nbsp; Like Sue.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;arch to schlepping bricks for Day of Caring.&amp;nbsp; I've never known a volunteer like her.&amp;nbsp; And here's Sue's guest blog.&amp;nbsp; Enjoy!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-12-26T11:23:46-05:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-12-26T11:23:46-05:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Holiday Greetings</atom:title>

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                 href="http://www.unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org/uwjc-blog/archive/2011/12/22/holiday-greetings">
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      <atom:id>1183f8c94b377183f18e99577a57a55e</atom:id>
      

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          <![CDATA[
          
&lt;p&gt;On this third night of Hanukkah, the day after Solstice, and
a few short days to Christmas, I wanted to take the time to wish you the best
of happiness, health and prosperity this season can bring.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It's been a big year.&amp;nbsp;
Many wonderful things have happened and we've had some great success in
these times of great challenge.&amp;nbsp; I'd like
to recap a few of the victories...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We launched our first VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
site at Harry &amp;amp; David.&amp;nbsp; Both United
Way and Harry &amp;amp; David were given the Crystal Groundbreaking Award from the
IRS!&amp;nbsp; We were awarded our first grant for
CASH this month from the Leightman Maxey Foundation and our coalition is
expanding.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;HOPE Chest continues to fill a staggering need of emergency
assistance for rent, utilities, car repair, medical supplies and more.&amp;nbsp; We now only take request the first few days
of the month because the demand is so great.&amp;nbsp;
HOPE Chest received grants from Anna May Family Foundation, Robert &amp;amp;
Frances Chaney Family Foundation and the Walker Fund of the Oregon Community
Foundation.&amp;nbsp; Through HOPE Chest, we now
give away bus passes for 20 rides every other month to people in need.&amp;nbsp; We've given away more than 1,500 since
January.&amp;nbsp; We partner with Jackson County
on the Access to Recovery grant for HOPE Chest as well.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;FamilyWize Prescription Assistance has saved people more
than $283,827 in 2011!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Jackson County CAN (Child Abuse Network) has had great
success with raising awareness to prevent child abuse.&amp;nbsp; We held our annual event in Vogel Plaza and
watch for next April.&amp;nbsp; We endorsed
legislation against sex trafficking and 3 of the 6 bills introduced passed into
law!&amp;nbsp; We held an early childhood book
drive in memory of Kacy Sue Lunsford who died of child abuse.&amp;nbsp; This gathered more than 1,250 books for
children.&amp;nbsp; And both the Mail Tribune and
KOBI won Oregon media awards for public service for our Don't Turn Away
campaign!&amp;nbsp; Congratulations and thanks to
them!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our volunteer base continues to grow and we have 150 people
help with allocations giving over 1,000 hours in the spring.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Southern Oregon Meth Project is in its 5th year
continuing to raise awareness about meth -- not now, now ever!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;United Way has become the distribution site for Medford Food
Project bags.&amp;nbsp; If you live in Ashland,
Talent or Medford, sign up!&amp;nbsp; It's an easy
way to give food to your neighbors in need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We've had lots of administrative success too, including
strengthening our staff, changing our fiscal year, amending our articles of
incorporation and bylaws, getting all new hardware and software (thank you
Meyer Memorial Trust) and more.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The campaign rocked!&amp;nbsp;
We are already at 89 percent.&amp;nbsp;
This is unheard of at this time of year and we've received an incredibly
generous anonymous gift that will help us to exceed our campaign goal
significantly.&amp;nbsp; Watch for more exciting
news on this one!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;All this success came in a year when people we care deeply
for lost husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters.&amp;nbsp; All this success came when unemployment
exceeded 13 percent for a year.&amp;nbsp; All this
success came when more people needed rides on the bus, food in their bellies, a
roof over their head and health care.&amp;nbsp;
All this success came because people saw the need, felt the need and
responded.&amp;nbsp; When all else is stripped
away, we are our most present.&amp;nbsp; There's
plenty more to do and many exciting projects well underway for next year.&amp;nbsp; Join us!&amp;nbsp;
Not only is there room, we need you to make it work.&amp;nbsp; So along with my best wishes for the
holidays, here's to a great 2012.&amp;nbsp; Thanks
for the privilege of being here, working with you to create community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Dee Anne&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-12-22T17:00:46-05:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-12-22T17:00:46-05:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Guest Blogger, Rick Rankin</atom:title>

      <atom:link rel="alternate" type="text/html"
                 href="http://www.unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org/uwjc-blog/archive/2011/12/10/guest-blogger-rick-rankin">
        http://plone.org/
      </atom:link>

      <atom:id>42ed07feca0bbf12c65c6cc402857d7f</atom:id>
      <atom:summary>Little did I know that I was about to learn the real joy that comes from being involved with the United Way. </atom:summary>

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This week's guest blogger is Rick Rankin.&amp;nbsp; He tells the story of his arrival.&amp;nbsp; My memory is not so different.&amp;nbsp; At Loaned Executive training, he came in late.&amp;nbsp; His head was down and then he began to learn, the smoldering started and by mid afternoon, the full flower was in bloom.&amp;nbsp; Of course he'd be a future chair.&amp;nbsp; He's a dear man, willing to be real.&amp;nbsp; This is his journey, his blog.&amp;nbsp; A gift to each of you.&amp;nbsp; Rick...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What a pleasure it is for me to
write a few words about what the United Way of Jackson County means to me and
how it has impacted my life since my first experience as a loaned executive so
many years ago.&amp;nbsp; Up until that time, I really had no idea what United Way
was or how very special it is for so, so, many individuals in the
community.&amp;nbsp; Like most, I reluctantly volunteered to represent my
&amp;nbsp;company, as their loaned executive, feeling very much like I had drawn
the “short” straw. What I did know however, was that part of my reason for
selecting Jackson County as our new home was because I felt like it was the
kind of community that I could become more personally involved in “giving back”
&amp;nbsp;through community volunteer work as a way of saying “Thank You” in return
for the gift of my family and the many&amp;nbsp; years of joy that we had the
opportunity to share together.&amp;nbsp; It did not take long for me to learn about
United Way and the breadth of services that the organization was involved
in.&amp;nbsp; The more time I spent around the organization, the more impressed I
was with the many programs and services that are impacted throughout our county
by those who “give” through United Way.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Just two short years after
serving as a loaned executive, I was asked by Dee Anne if I would be interested
in serving as the campaign chair for 2001.&amp;nbsp; After getting over my initial
shock, I of course said yes and off I went on my continued journey of learning
about the so many more ways of being able to give back to the community we had
come to love so much. &amp;nbsp;The more I learned about the various agencies,
programs, and services, touched by this amazing organization, the more excited
I was to have continued opportunities to “give back”.&amp;nbsp; Little did I know
that I was about to learn the real joy that comes from being involved with the
United Way.&amp;nbsp; You see, the real joy does not come from what you are able to
give, the real joy comes from what you are able to receive from being around
those individuals who make up the United Way of Jackson County.
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Allow me to explain…..&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;United Way was not about what I
could give, but it became for me, a very personal journey of also how important
it is to receive.&amp;nbsp; Two years after having been the campaign chair, in April
of 2003, I was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic melanoma, a very deadly
cancer, and was given less than a 5% chance of survival.&amp;nbsp; The cancer was a
gift that taught me the importance of being able to receive.&amp;nbsp; My family
and I were surrounded with the love and prayers from so many individuals that I
had come to know during my years of doing volunteer work for United Way.&amp;nbsp;
I received telephone calls, cards, prayers and visits from all over the
community.&amp;nbsp; From the On-Track home for juvenile boys came video recorded
messages of hope and prayers from many of the boys that I had shared “fishing
trips” &amp;nbsp;and barbecue lunches together.&amp;nbsp; From all across the county
came support and prayers from my now very large family of volunteers and
agencies that I have had the pleasure of knowing and working together with for
these many years.&amp;nbsp; I was amazed at the many visits at the hospital from my
“Day of Caring” working buddies as well as the individuals representing those
programs that we had volunteered to work for. The many telephone calls, cards,
letters and continued prayers that I received from fellow board members was
simply amazing.&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;I had no idea that so many people cared about
me.&amp;nbsp; You gave me your love, your prayers and you took the time to tell me
you cared.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Your acts of caring and the
sharing of your love and prayers gave me life.&amp;nbsp; I know that I am here
today because God was listening while you took time from your busy life to do
so.&amp;nbsp; As most of you reading this know, just recently, I was once again
faced with some difficult news regarding my health.&amp;nbsp; And once again, my
United Way family stepped up and gave the continued prayers and support that
only can come from those you love and who love you.&amp;nbsp; And once again, the
news looks great.&amp;nbsp; Once again, you have demonstrated the healing power of
the support and prayers from family and friends.&amp;nbsp; Once again, you have
given me so much. United Way will never be about giving.&amp;nbsp; It will always
be about teaching me the joy of being able to receive.&amp;nbsp; As we enter this
very special holiday season together, please know how much each of you mean to
me and how much joy you allow others to receive through your continued acts of
service and kindness. My best wishes and prayers for a very healthy and happy
holiday season and my heartfelt thank you for all I have received from you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Rick Rankin&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-12-10T00:53:07-05:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-12-10T00:53:07-05:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Guest Blogger, Raf Mesta</atom:title>

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        http://plone.org/
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      <atom:id>2d985b35ce4fad8d5b691affe9cf026a</atom:id>
      <atom:summary>As far back as I can remember, I have only been afraid of 2 things my whole life. One happens to be mice or any kind of small rodent for that matter. </atom:summary>

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Raf has been a United Way board member for a short time and in that time has taught me so many things.&amp;nbsp; He's a remarkably honest fellow, engaged, inspired and inspiring.&amp;nbsp; It's Raf's week to guest blog...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As far back as I can remember, I have only been afraid of 2
things my whole life. One happens to be mice or any kind of small rodent for
that matter. I know what you might be thinking. “Wait a second, Raf is a big
Marine and he’s scared of little mice?” Yeah, it’s true…and just thinking about
their little tongues and their little “squeak” raises the hair on my neck and
brings a shivering feeling down my back. I don’t believe this fear will ever go
away.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;My other fear was there for a long time and after going to
war, it disappeared, but it has recently returned. I was very afraid of dying.
I would always ask myself: is it gonna hurt?, what happens after I die?, Have I
done everything that I’ve always wanted to do on my bucketlist? Then something
happened; I came very close to death from an explosion. Now, you might think
that it was extremely painful or that I saw my whole life flash right in front
of me…It didn’t. In fact, I didn’t feel a thing and from that point forward I
wasn’t afraid.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We would go on patrols, combat missions, rescue missions,
getting into “fire fights” along the way and I noticed myself not only become unafraid
of death, but almost to the point of not minding if something bad happened to
me.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I spoke to an acquaintance a while back and he made a
comment: “I guess you needed to face death in order to overcome it”. His
comment made a lot of sense and I truly believed it…..until now.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Again, I am afraid of dying. But this time around, it’s for
completely different reasons and those reasons want me to stick around.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Reason #1: Wife Mandy&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Reason #2: Daughter Gianna &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Thanks.&amp;nbsp; Raf&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;So what are you afraid of?&amp;nbsp; Onward...&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-12-06T17:01:33-05:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-12-06T17:01:33-05:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Guest Blogger, Jason Lukaszewicz</atom:title>

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        http://plone.org/
      </atom:link>

      <atom:id>659ae8c3fd1e2729e97003e3f154d7ea</atom:id>
      <atom:summary>Following Thanksgiving and as we start the holiday season, I am pausing to give thanks.</atom:summary>

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&lt;p&gt;Welcome back from Thanksgiving.&amp;nbsp; Sometimes our volunteers have dramatic reasons for being involved and sometimes it's less so.&amp;nbsp; Sometimes it's because it's the right thing to do and because you're a husband and father and want a better community.&amp;nbsp; Our treasurer, Jason Lukaszewicz, is our guest blogger.&amp;nbsp; He's the strong, silent, tall type.&amp;nbsp; He's a gift to our United Way.&amp;nbsp; Here's Jason...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Giving Thanks&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I do not have a great introspective blog as the past ones
have been. Following Thanksgiving and as we start the holiday season, I am
pausing to give thanks. Most of all, of course, I am so thankful for my
wonderful family and great friends. Thanks to United Way, my circle of friends
is that much greater. I am thankful that I am one of the lucky ones with a job
in my chosen profession, a career that has treated me well. As United Way’s
treasurer, I am thankful to all of those who worked so hard resulting in
significant growth in this year’s campaign, which will allow United Way and its
partners to have an even greater impact on the community. I am also very
thankful that Southern Oregon has an organization such as United Way, with its
great staff and volunteers who work so hard to positively impact the lives of
those in our community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Thanks Jason!&amp;nbsp; Until next time...&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-11-29T13:44:48-05:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-11-29T13:44:48-05:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Guest Blogger, Doug Nash</atom:title>

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        http://plone.org/
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      <atom:id>ab829fc6959094ff4186baa52a0afb1d</atom:id>
      

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This week guest blog is the most honest, most trusting, most special I've posted.&amp;nbsp; I am fond of saying we all walk with a story.&amp;nbsp; The glory of this job for me lies in being told these stories.&amp;nbsp; Several months ago, Doug was asked to write and he couldn't find the time.&amp;nbsp; The time is worth waiting for.&amp;nbsp; Doug is a very special man.&amp;nbsp; Doug Nash, United Way board member...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In writing this, I cannot help but think of my brother, who
died six years ago last month.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Five years my senior, Richard was a good person.&amp;nbsp; He was intelligent and had a great sense of
humor.&amp;nbsp; Growing up, he had always been
what one would want from an older brother: protective, caring, and there to
help when I needed it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;He was also homeless virtually all of his adult life.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Richard had been very sick as a newborn and in his early
childhood, having suffered from various medical issues.&amp;nbsp; Later, as a young adult, he was in a serious
car accident that injured his brain stem.&amp;nbsp;
The accident left him in a coma for about a week and a half.&amp;nbsp; As with many who suffer brain injuries, he had
to learn over again how to do those things, like walking, that most of us take
for granted.&amp;nbsp; His recovery was far more
successful than the doctors initially had expected, but it was never
complete.&amp;nbsp; Among other things, for the
remainder of his life he walked in a lurching manner, with a very pronounced
limp.&amp;nbsp; He struggled throughout his life
with addiction, and physical and emotional challenges, that were far greater
than most of us have to face.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For whatever reason – the lingering effects of his injury,
the many demons that haunted him, nature or culture (and really, I’ve learned,
it doesn’t matter) – Richard couldn’t cope in the “normal” world.&amp;nbsp; He couldn’t hold down a job or live under a
roof for any extended period.&amp;nbsp; Untold
times he tried, and his family around him tried, to turn his life around –
different programs, jobs, opportunities, approaches.&amp;nbsp; Nothing stuck.&amp;nbsp; I will never believe that he truly “chose”
this lifestyle – at least not in the traditional, rationalistic, free-will
sense of choice -- but it was the lifestyle he was most able to live.&amp;nbsp; For most of us, living and sleeping on the
pavement or in a park for even a day or two, let alone decades, is not only
hard to imagine but just plain too hard.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
But Richard seemed to feel most at home when he was homeless.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Obviously, this was also difficult for those who loved
him.&amp;nbsp; Although he periodically would get
in touch with my parents, my other brother and the rest of my family, most of
the time we didn’t know where he was or if he was dead or alive.&amp;nbsp; Family members spent countless hours looking
for him -- in shelters, on the streets, anywhere we thought he might be.&amp;nbsp; And once he was found, the anxiety around not
knowing his condition or location was simply replaced with the challenges that
existed in trying to get him the help he needed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For a number of years, Richard and I resided in the same
city: I, in a home, and he, on a street or in a homeless shelter.&amp;nbsp; It was a big city, but not so big that I
didn’t run into him from time to time.&amp;nbsp;
Each time this happened, I was suddenly pulled out of my world and
forced into another.&amp;nbsp; For example, on my
way one day to a job interview, dressed in a suit and tie, I glimpsed out of
the corner of my eye a disheveled shape sitting on the steps of a public
square.&amp;nbsp; On another occasion, driving to
work one morning, I stopped my car at a crosswalk to let a person – whom I felt
pity for but initially did not recognize -- push his shopping-cart full of
cans, bottles and belongings across the street in front of me.&amp;nbsp; Each time, it took me a moment to focus, to
realize that this person, unlike the vast numbers of homeless in urban America
whom we see, but &lt;em&gt;really don’t&lt;/em&gt; see,
was my brother.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When these encounters occurred, we would usually talk for a
while and perhaps meet later for a meal or a cup of coffee.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; We would get caught up on each other’s
lives.&amp;nbsp; I, as with the rest of my family,
would do what I could to persuade him to get the assistance he needed.&amp;nbsp; Many times he tried, and many times he
struggled to change.&amp;nbsp; But ultimately he
would return to his life and I would return to mine.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What most struck me about Richard was that he was always
willing to help others, even when he was the one who most needed help.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For example, for a number of years, he volunteered regularly
for a weekly event that used donated food to feed the homeless.&amp;nbsp; Also, when one of my daughters, shortly after
her birth, became seriously ill and needed surgery, he daily, for about a week,
rode the bus across town in order to be with and comfort us in the
hospital.&amp;nbsp; He brought us food he had
purchased using money he had saved from the deposits on the cans and bottles he
collected.&amp;nbsp; We didn’t need the food, but
he gave it to us out of a strong urge to show his love and support.&amp;nbsp; When he was around us for the holidays, he
would always make sure to have presents for his nephews and nieces.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A day or two after Richard’s death, my parents and other
family members visited the place where he had died.&amp;nbsp; It was a busy, nondescript street lined
mainly with commercial buildings, a convenience store, and a fast-food
restaurant.&amp;nbsp; On the sidewalk, we found
his glasses and his shopping cart, the latter violently bent from the impact of
the traffic accident that had killed him.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We stood there for quite some time, alone in the grayness of
the street, trying to make sense of it all.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
Then something magical happened.&amp;nbsp;
A number of people from the surrounding businesses came out to talk with
us.&amp;nbsp; They pointed to the place, under an
awning, where Richard had slept during the last weeks of his life.&amp;nbsp; They talked about what a nice and caring
person he had been.&amp;nbsp; One of them, choking
up, said he had been the last person to have spoken with Richard prior to his
death.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Later, we received a call from a man who said he had known
Richard in his final months and had read in the paper of his passing.&amp;nbsp; This man lived in an affluent part of the
city.&amp;nbsp; He said Richard had come by his
neighborhood about once a week, picking up cans and bottles, and that the
neighbors were so fond of him that they would save their cans and bottles for
his weekly rounds.&amp;nbsp; This man also said
that Richard had befriended his young son, who had cried at the news of his
death.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I think about these memories often.&amp;nbsp; We should never forget that homeless people
are someone’s brother, sister, child, parent or friend.&amp;nbsp; They deserve dignity.&amp;nbsp; They are not at fault for their
circumstances.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Richard taught me that there truly are no separate worlds,
that there is no other choice than to “Live United.”&amp;nbsp; He remains for me an ever-present reminder
that we all have something to give.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-11-14T13:09:36-05:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-11-14T13:09:36-05:00</atom:updated>


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    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>One trip only -- Guest Blogger Nick Parsons</atom:title>

      <atom:link rel="alternate" type="text/html"
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        http://plone.org/
      </atom:link>

      <atom:id>8dc0808129f76db72a66657f2ab505a3</atom:id>
      <atom:summary>And another United Way campaign is signaling its closure as we stride towards Thanksgiving.</atom:summary>

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&lt;p&gt;Nick Parsons is one of those remarkable United Way volunteers we didn't know was a United Way volunteer for years.&amp;nbsp; He helped to run the campaign internally for years.&amp;nbsp; One year, I challenged our volunteers to bring in more men.&amp;nbsp; And here was Nick, very experienced and we didn't know him.&amp;nbsp; He's since chaired the campaign, the Day of Caring and is up for everything.&amp;nbsp; He especially loves painting sites at Day of Caring.&amp;nbsp; Well, that's not true, but the rest sure is.&amp;nbsp; Nick is one to be counted on.&amp;nbsp; Here's Nick's sharing this week...&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;Leaves are clinging to their last bit of color and giving us a
spectacular display of oranges, reds, yellows, and mixed colors. Clocks are
“falling back” an hour as we move into that time of year where darkness awaits
our rise and joins us on our venture home from work. Frost is clinging to lawns
and rooftops as the first sign of winter make its appearance. And another
United Way campaign is signaling its closure as we stride towards Thanksgiving.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;So much happened in such a short period of time that it is hard to
remember when summer ended and winter started its approach. We all have busy
lives that lead us in so many directions and keep us on our toes. But this time
of year always seems to bring some renewed energy from another successful
campaign and the thought of spending time with family and friends as the
holidays arrive. The signs of another year coming to a close have made me pause
and look back at what has been achieved.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;The Day of Caring saw a major change as it was moved from late
September to late May. While record rain was falling over several months, it
was truly amazing that the weather break we needed happened at the exact time.
Dozens and dozens of volunteers joined together to paint conference rooms,
landscape open spaces, stain fences, spread crushed granite and complete a one
day transformation at local agencies. The deep felt gratitude by agency
representatives summed up how important this day is and always makes me feel so
grateful and proud to support my community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;Summertime once again found us gathering to share ideas for the
upcoming campaign and to reinvigorate the passion and energy that bleeds
through the staff and volunteers. I am always truly amazed how a very diverse
group of individuals can come together for a common cause that is so important
to our community. The strength of this group is that we all have a deep desire
to have a positive impact on those in need and strive to find more ways to
enhance our community. This work is never-ending and I am proud to be
associated with such a strong group of people.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;United Way of Jackson County also saw a transition with the fiscal
year and a change in the membership structure. There was a great deal of
discussion as these changes were made and board members and staff stepped up to
the challenge. The Board of Directors has always been filled with talented,
caring, willing, and passionate members that embrace the mission of the agency.
I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such a dedicated team and appreciate all
that I learn from each one of them.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;Hardship was found in many places this year and it has been difficult
to see so many people impacted by the devastating events that happen in life.
My wife, Joni, lost her older brother very suddenly this fall and it has reminded
me how fragile life is. Joni told me that she was at a conference and the
keynote speaker stated that her life was greatly impacted when she saw a subway
token that said “Fare good for one trip only.” I think we all need to remember
that we are on our only trip in this life and we need to take advantage of all
that is offered to us and appreciate every blessing we have been given. I know
that each of us can make a huge difference and create lasting change for the
better of our community. I see it every day!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;Thanks Nick!&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-11-07T13:31:11-05:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-11-07T13:31:11-05:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Arnie Green reflections</atom:title>

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      <atom:id>a047ba4ac85ab22e010644e6e8c98571</atom:id>
      

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I'm just home from Arnie Green's memorial.&amp;nbsp; Here are my memories of Arnie.&amp;nbsp; For Arnie and for Lynn...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I remember meeting Arnie very early on
in starting my job at United Way in 1996.&amp;nbsp;
He wanted to share his view of all things social service because I’d
been an economist.&amp;nbsp; He knew we could do
everything better.&amp;nbsp; He shared about the
merger creating Community Works.&amp;nbsp; I asked
lots of questions.&amp;nbsp; He wondered why.&amp;nbsp; I explained I’d been in mergers and
acquisitions at the bank for a while and we affectionately called it murder and
accusations.&amp;nbsp; He liked that!&amp;nbsp; He doodled the whole time and it was this
beautiful, truly beautiful piece of art which I compared to my juvenile
doodling.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Arnie was like a young pit bull or
Chihuahua.&amp;nbsp; He would let go.&amp;nbsp; Although he didn’t tremble so the Chihuahua
example is out.&amp;nbsp; He wanted a nonprofit
congress so everyone would come together once for all the meetings we had to be
in.&amp;nbsp; He wanted less meetings and more
work time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I argued with him about
everything.&amp;nbsp; I can’t think of much we
agreed on.&amp;nbsp; He’s one of the few people
who could make me look conservative.&amp;nbsp; And
yet he was so deeply committed, engaged and connected to the work.&amp;nbsp; It was part of his life force.&amp;nbsp; But only part.&amp;nbsp; He also was often the only man in the room.&amp;nbsp; He was often the only man on the state’s
domestic violence council.&amp;nbsp; He was going
to come down on the wrong side of many people but never those in need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sometimes we don’t realize people so
deeply dedicated are whole people.&amp;nbsp; Arnie
was a whole person.&amp;nbsp; He had a life.&amp;nbsp; He loved Lynn.&amp;nbsp; She loved him.&amp;nbsp; He loved to read especially about
history.&amp;nbsp; We had great chats about
Churchill, thatcher, Kennedy, Eisenhower and more.&amp;nbsp; He loved art and music.&amp;nbsp; He loved to play the guitar.&amp;nbsp; He truly loved bringing people and things
together to create better lives for people in need, especially kids.&amp;nbsp; To me he symbolized Marge Piercy’s poem, “To
Be of Use.”&amp;nbsp; Here it is…&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To Be Of Use&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The people I love the best&lt;br /&gt;
jump into work head first&lt;br /&gt;
without dallying in the shallows&lt;br /&gt;
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.&lt;br /&gt;
They seem to become natives of that element,&lt;br /&gt;
the black sleek heads of seals&lt;br /&gt;
bouncing like half-submerged balls.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,&lt;br /&gt;
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,&lt;br /&gt;
who strain in the mud and muck to move things forward,&lt;br /&gt;
who do what has to be done, again and again.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I want to be with people who submerge&lt;br /&gt;
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest&lt;br /&gt;
and work in a row and pass the bags along,&lt;br /&gt;
who are not parlor generals and field deserters&lt;br /&gt;
but move in a common rhythm&lt;br /&gt;
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The work of the world is common as mud.&lt;br /&gt;
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.&lt;br /&gt;
But the thing worth doing well done&lt;br /&gt;
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.&lt;br /&gt;
Greek &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error"&gt;amphoras&lt;/span&gt; for wine or oil,&lt;br /&gt;
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums&lt;br /&gt;
but you know they were made to be used.&lt;br /&gt;
The pitcher cries for water to carry&lt;br /&gt;
and a person for work that is real.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I had a dream about Arnie a couple of
weeks ago.&amp;nbsp; I was home sick with the flu
and had to miss a meeting with legislators.&amp;nbsp;
My dream was I was at SOU for the meeting and coming down the hall was
Arnie.&amp;nbsp; I said, “What are you doing
here?&amp;nbsp; Your service is the 5&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt;.”&amp;nbsp; Arnie turned to me and said, “Dee Anne, there
are legislators here!”&amp;nbsp; it was so real
and heck, it could have been!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I was so sure of things when I met
Arnie.&amp;nbsp; He taught me greatly over time to
realize how little I know, how gifted my own life has been, how much work there
is to do.&amp;nbsp; Sadly, his last lesson, is how
little time there is to do it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I will miss him.&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-11-05T21:31:45-04:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-11-05T21:31:45-04:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Guest Blogger, Sharilyn Cano</atom:title>

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        http://plone.org/
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      <atom:id>d1c68f487255f7623e598b84cee5765f</atom:id>
      <atom:summary>I stand amazed at what the past couple of years have taught me – </atom:summary>

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&lt;p&gt;Sharilyn Cano is this week's guest blogger.&amp;nbsp; I offer folks all the time the opportunity to step up and blog.&amp;nbsp; Sharilyn is the first person to take me up on it.&amp;nbsp; She's thought about it a long time.&amp;nbsp; I remember meeting Sharilyn who worried constantly how successful she was being at sharing the words of community.&amp;nbsp; It's clear from her blog she still does and yet without words, one can see her commitment, feel her heart and know she makes the world a better place just by being in it!&amp;nbsp; Now...Sharilyn...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I stand amazed at what the past
couple of years have taught me – I guess you are never too old to gain more
insight and better understand yourself and the world around you.&amp;nbsp; In my
case it took an earth-shattering event to shake me up from the deepest part of
my soul and take a new look at the world around me.&amp;nbsp; I was so off-balance
from the loss of my daughter, that in struggling to find my “new normal” I found
many of my feelings and beliefs also revised, replaced, and in some cases
rediscovered.&amp;nbsp; At the WiLL luncheon, the keynote speaker provided the
words that I think sum up where I’m at right now in my life.&amp;nbsp; I ache in my
heart for those I see suffering in my community.&amp;nbsp; It is a hurt that rubs
and flares and demands attention.&amp;nbsp; In seeking for a way to ease the ache,
the speaker stated that a person finds their calling.&amp;nbsp; That is what has
happened to me.&amp;nbsp; Through my connection to United Way and Maslow Project
and the people I’ve met there, along with the incredibly focused and giving
work done, I believe that I have found my calling and a way to ease the
ache.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;During my time with these
organizations, I have learned the statistics and the level of need and the
stories of others.&amp;nbsp; I have tried so hard to put into words my own story,
but never felt able to express it correctly.&amp;nbsp; My heart nearly bursts each
time I try to share how impactful the simple words uttered by a small boy,
“But, mommy, I’m really hungry” changed me at some deep, deep root level.&amp;nbsp;
The results are tears and choked words and jumbled desperation to try and share
how important our participation is in the United Way and as a result, taking
care of our community and most likely the person right next door.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When people tell me how they just
don’t know how to help – don’t have the time – don’t know what to do – don’t
have anything extra to give - I tell them about the United Way.&amp;nbsp; It’s the
simple one size fits all way to make a difference; especially if a person is
still without a calling.&amp;nbsp; There are three ways to make an impact and at
least one is going to speak to everyone. And they don’t have to give the huge
bucks – they just need to do something, because United Way can then take their
dollar and combine it with all of the other dollars and then: by helping and
supporting one of the agencies that provides direct services, by helping and
supporting change in the quality of life in our community (WiLL, CAN, etc.),
and by establishing a safety net through the Hope Chest when all other systems
cannot meet a need – tah dah!!! They are part of the group of people who made a
difference.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
So this is my calling – sounds very grand - doesn’t it?&amp;nbsp; But it’s really
very simple.&amp;nbsp; In fulfilling my calling, I get to surround myself with like
minded individuals with similar callings and share my story.&amp;nbsp; It eases my
nagging ache to see all that others accomplish and to be a tiny part of
it.&amp;nbsp; I will forever be grateful to all of the incredible people who allow
me to call them my friends and colleagues in the work to be done.&amp;nbsp;
Blessings to them all.&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-11-04T12:10:43-04:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-11-04T12:10:43-04:00</atom:updated>


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    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Guest Blogger Nancy Wilson</atom:title>

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      <atom:id>e9c008562959f34ad8983a2da93840ac</atom:id>
      <atom:summary>The needs are great and  feel overwhelming at times. But I know that the heart and soul of our community is larger. I know that each and every business that provides time for their employees to hear about the United Way's work, is a community leader. </atom:summary>

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&lt;p&gt;Nancy Wilson, this week's guest blogger, is the only volunteer who ever came to me and said, "I want to raise money!"&amp;nbsp; Go figure.&amp;nbsp; It happens.&amp;nbsp; She's always willing, serves on the board, the WiLL Council, and the campaign cabinet.&amp;nbsp; She's always at Day of Caring.&amp;nbsp; She's a gift to community.&amp;nbsp; Onward, Nancy...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This campaign has been so energizing!&amp;nbsp; I don't know if it's
the Amazing Race theme and the lunches where we are privileged to hear&amp;nbsp;the
accomplishments of some very amazing people who are overcoming awesome
challenges! Or, that they are so open and willing to share their life details
as proof that support to them comes in many forms--a volunteer or agency
employee who connects and becomes the listener, the doer, the partner in moving
lives forward.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I continue to be amazed at the professional knowledge and skills
and most of all the commitment to improving the lives of so many in our
community.&amp;nbsp; From the child development &amp;amp; child care services to
development of parenting skills for the moms &amp;amp; dads who've not been
parented themselves, the after school programs for kids, counseling services
for kids and adults to steer them back on a better path, the volunteer
grandparents who make sure the little ones are hugged and loved and much more!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The needs are great and&amp;nbsp; feel overwhelming at times. But
I&amp;nbsp;know that the heart and soul of our community is larger.&amp;nbsp;I know
that each and every business that provides time for their employees to hear
about the United Way's work, is a community leader.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;I know that each
and every person who gives as a volunteer, an advocate or as a donor is a
community leader.&amp;nbsp; And I know that it takes all of us to win the Amazing
Race for safe, secure and productive lives in Jackson County.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-10-25T16:05:08-04:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-10-25T16:05:08-04:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Seasons Change, Guest Blog by Steve Erb</atom:title>

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                 href="http://www.unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org/uwjc-blog/archive/2011/10/17/seasons-change-guest-blog-by-steve-erb">
        http://plone.org/
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      <atom:id>d09b5fbae12f97bb5df216ff210a126c</atom:id>
      <atom:summary>This was supposed to be my “gap year” as a Board Member. </atom:summary>

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&lt;p&gt;T&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Hard to believe it’s already Campaign time, but the weather
has turned, the days are getting shorter, and I’m pretty sure the leaves
falling in my backyard as well as the Oregon Ducks playing football are all
pretty good indicators that it’s that time of the year again.&amp;nbsp; To that I say “woo hoo”, and I say “thank
you” to the many volunteers out there right now, knocking on doors and telling
the Story of the United Way so that the message can be heard and that people
are given the opportunity to make an informed giving decision.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This was supposed to be my “gap year” as a Board Member.
That’s where Dee Anne kicks you off the board for 12-months (just kidding) so
you have a chance to recharge your batteries and to spend time in reflection of
the work we have the opportunity to do.&amp;nbsp;
But as my good fortune would have it, my gap year only lasted 6-months
because of the change in the fiscal year.&amp;nbsp;
And it’s a good thing, because as the season started to change, and when
the realization that I wasn’t going to be able to share in the energy and
awesomeness that comes with campaign was sinking in, I actually was a little
sad.&amp;nbsp; So when I heard that I was going to
be invited back sooner-than-later I got excited and filled with inspiration
knowing that I was going to be able to share in the joy that comes with
watching so many people doing so many amazing things to help our community and
those who need the support that United Way brings through our amazing
partners.&amp;nbsp; So to all that I again say
“woo ho”, and thanks for letting me come back and be part of the magic that is
United Way of Jackson County.&amp;nbsp; Steve&lt;/p&gt;
Onward,
&lt;p&gt;his week's guest blogger is Steve Erb!&amp;nbsp; He's a great guy, dad, husband and friend.&amp;nbsp; Steve is a great volunteer too.&amp;nbsp; He's been board president of United Way, campaign chair and a member of our finance committee.&amp;nbsp; He's back on the board after a short gap year when he was forced off due to mandatory retirement.&amp;nbsp; Well that's my story anyway.&amp;nbsp; Here's Steve!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

          ]]>
      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-10-17T11:52:14-04:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-10-17T11:52:14-04:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>The Girl Effect</atom:title>

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      <atom:id>0fb74cb232d4989127021590f9d031e3</atom:id>
      

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&lt;p&gt;I come from a long line of girls.&amp;nbsp; I have four sisters.&amp;nbsp; I had a biological mom, like everyone does.&amp;nbsp; And I have the world's best stepmom.&amp;nbsp; Contest me, I'll win!&amp;nbsp; She came to live with us when I was 5.&amp;nbsp; A few years before, my Dad was suddenly a widower with four daughters under the age of 13 and he was 29.&amp;nbsp; Like I said, she came to be with us when I was 5.&amp;nbsp; She is still my Mom today!&amp;nbsp; Mom taught me, along with aunts, uncles, sisters and my Grandma that I could do anything, be anything in this world.&amp;nbsp; They taught me I was special.&amp;nbsp; I remember chatting a year or so ago with one of my volunteers and much to my surprise said, "No one told you, you were special growing up?!"&amp;nbsp; I couldn't believe that was true.&amp;nbsp; I thought that was universal until that day.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What I'm learning this year, is that we, the collective we, want to be part of something bigger than ourselves that's good.&amp;nbsp; There are hundreds of thousands of millions of choices.&amp;nbsp; The Girl Effect is one of those choices and if you check it out at GirlEffect.org or you check out the Wise Living Blog this week, you'll see many collective thoughts about it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There are staggering statistics like when a girl in a developing world receives 7 or more years of education, she marries 4 years later and has 2.2 fewer children.&amp;nbsp; Or an extra year of primary school boosts a girl's income by 10 to 20 percent and an extra year of secondary school boosts it by 15 to 25 percent.&amp;nbsp; Or 1 in 7 girls in developing countries marry before age 15.&amp;nbsp; These are compelling but do they spur you to action in your own life, in your own community or in the community of girls in the world.&amp;nbsp; There's a place for all, yep men too, all of us!&amp;nbsp; What is your place?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What does it mean here in Jackson County?&amp;nbsp; You tell me.&amp;nbsp; We live in a community where 10 percent of high school population experiences homelessness.&amp;nbsp; Based on population stats, that would be 600 girls.&amp;nbsp; We live in a community where 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18 and if you were to look again at population that would be approximately 25,000.&amp;nbsp; 25,000!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I remember early in my career giving a speech saying that I don't see enough men in social services and being a bit of an apologist for that.&amp;nbsp; I'll tell you to change this world, it takes all of us to step up, to lead by example, to be present to the lives of those in front of us, beside us and behind us.&amp;nbsp; All of us.&amp;nbsp; What is your role?&amp;nbsp; Are you doing it?&amp;nbsp; We live in a community where 8 people have died of domestic violence this year.&amp;nbsp; It's only October.&amp;nbsp; And October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.&amp;nbsp; Show up.&amp;nbsp; Shout from the roof tops that it's not open season on women and children in this community, in this state, in this region, in this country and in our world.&amp;nbsp; And share what your role is.&amp;nbsp; Onward...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-10-11T19:17:41-04:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-10-11T19:17:41-04:00</atom:updated>


    </atom:entry>

  
  

    <atom:entry>

      <atom:title>Tim Clayton, Guest Blogger</atom:title>

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      <atom:id>dbdd1cdfc0d20a0f7282aab28f89ed79</atom:id>
      

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&lt;p&gt;Sometimes I feel like I've seen our volunteers grow up which ages me and them!&amp;nbsp; Tim Clayton seems to have been here since I've been here and I've had the privilege of seeing his leadership grow and grow.&amp;nbsp; This year he's the vice chair of the campaign and next year will chair our community campaign!&amp;nbsp; He's a board member, finance committee member and campaign expert.&amp;nbsp; I remember when he went on the local CASA board and I saw the leader he'd become.&amp;nbsp; I very selfishly said, it's a great idea but if you decide you like them more than us, I'll be mad at you.&amp;nbsp; Nice, eh.&amp;nbsp; CASA's a great organization and that' why I thought I'd have to go after Tim.&amp;nbsp; Tim's still a star here!&amp;nbsp; Here are his thoughts for this week's guest blog.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Over the past couple of months, the United Way Family has
been rocked by a series of personal tragedies that have affected the lives of
many of our volunteers.&amp;nbsp; While this could
be a faith shaker for many people, it’s encouraging to me to see the rest of
the Family rally around those experiencing deep personal loss.&amp;nbsp; This year, in the midst of the campaign
season when our efforts are focused on raising funds to support our partner
agencies and help with our community impact work, I believe that we are
providing something just as valuable to our volunteers: &amp;nbsp;a safe place and source of comfort in a time of
sadness.&amp;nbsp; Our need to work for community
change is ever present and at times we may be tempted to think we’re helping a
faceless stranger, but this year it seems a little more personal as we are also
very clearly supporting the members of our own Family in ways we may never
fully understand.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Thanks Tim!&amp;nbsp; Onward,&lt;/p&gt;

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      </atom:content>

      <atom:author>
        <atom:name>Dee Anne Everson</atom:name>
      </atom:author>

      <atom:published>2011-09-30T19:12:19-04:00</atom:published>

      <atom:updated>2011-09-30T19:12:19-04:00</atom:updated>


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