A Message From The United Way

Hello folks,

I received a large box of things from the United Way today at my office. I never ordered any and have no dealings with them, but apparently they like to give out freebies.

Now, reading through the material I found about a hundred book marks, all with this message on it. I think we should all take time to soak it in, as it is a very imporant one.

I believe in my community.

I believe that it's success depends on the people who live in it.

That everyone has something to contribute.

That everyone deserves respect.

That everyone's potential can be realized.

That diversity is vital.

That every person has value.

That everyone needs help and everyone can offer help.

That a safe, supportive community is everyone's responsibility.

I believe in possibility.

A mantra that all of us can live by to make our communities and lives a little bit better.

Thoughts ATS?

~Keeper

Its that good and that noble. So much so, people are guilted into contributing to a cause they know nothing about, corporately sponsored on an annual basis to a charity that goes by the name of United Way.

I used to coordinate drives for them and believe me, people are reluctant to participate and only do so because the company endorses participation. SAD really.

Maybe things have changed over the years but I thought United Way was pretty much a scam charity. In other words maybe 20 cents of every dollar collected went towards "people in need" while the other 80 cents was retained as "overhead".

Sure they are there to hand out food, clothing shelter, equipment and various other things on a loan, to be repaid in both returning of the item or in the case of consumables, the full market price. I heard they even make cash loans or direct purchases for people "for a small fee and interest".

Sorry, but my charity goes to genuine charities staffed and administered by volunteers. Like the Shriners and Lion's Club, among others. Local church food pantries.

reply to post by Ahabstar


Ohh, well no I am in no way endorsing the United Way or anything, as said above, I don't deal with them at all.

I just thought it was a very nice message placed on the book marks is all, I wanted to share .

~Keeper

reply to post by tothetenthpower


Very good stuff there tothetenthpower. They are all very good phrases that we should try to remember. I personally don't contribute to United Way either. I spoke with one of their representatives at work one time.

I asked how the funds they get are sent to the communities that need them. She told me it was based on how much they get from the communities. So in other words, if the neediest community didn't have the resources to contribute enough, the neediest community wouldn't get their help. It worked on the highest bidder type of thing. Very strange. Still very good quotes! S+F.

reply to post by jackflap


Yeah upon further investigation, The United Way is like a rich man's charity. It's very strangely set up and I am a little disturbed that it is so popular and pushed every year.

As a business owner I would almost be ashamed of doing buisness with them. I am happy to be working with UNICEF and the Salvation Army for our community outreach programs.

~Keeper

I used to give to the United Way,until,I stopped because a representative told Me they gave funds to abortion clinics. I told the Representative that I couldn't donate to a charity that helped fund abortion clinics because of My religious beliefs. The Representative looked like She were going to run across the room and fight me,that's how mad she looked!

[edit on 7-10-2009 by BigDaveJr]

reply to post by tothetenthpower


Well, it is a nice message...


And I have donated heavily to various "Fill the Boot" drives that both volunteer and paid fire departments. One exchange was "It's for 9/11 victim's families." And I told him didn't care if they were collecting gas money to get back to the station. I wasn't going to pass up a firemen even if all I had was 50 cents to spare.



[edit on 7-10-2009 by Ahabstar]