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The older we get, the harder it is for most of us to stay in shape. This is especially true for me. Athletically, I am somewhere between a “has-been” and a “never-was,” but I do try to exercise a couple of times a week just to fight Father Time and avoid having to go up another belt size.
Just outside the men’s locker room door at the Odyssey Fitness Center where I work out is a sign that captures my attention whenever I finish my cardio, crunches and feeble attempts to bench press. It reads, “None of us are as strong as all of us.”
While that sounds obvious and simple enough, the implication of “all of us” is profound. We are our strongest when we are united and most powerful when we all come together.
Although my prime fitness days are well behind me, as the chief professional officer of the United Way of Wyoming Valley, I find this message to be exactly right. Most of us realize that teamwork in the athletic arena is critical to success. Outside of sports, however, working together and recognizing that “all of us” are connected is even more critical and, generally speaking, the stakes are more meaningful than the outcome of a game.
The simple truth is that we rely on each other for our well-being. We need to.
Where would we be without the gifts and talents of one another? Where would we be without educators, health care professionals, farmers, government employees, retailers, scientists, social service workers, emergency personnel, small business owners or so many others? As importantly, where would we be without the love and support of friends, family, neighbors and the community?
Strength and real power, as implied on the sign at the gym, can be found when all of us do come together. Next month, our community, through the work of the United Way, will show that power!
I am hopeful that we will set a new record for community engagement at our annual Day of Caring on May 14. We are on track to have more than 800 volunteers, like you, provide a day of service to 52 projects that benefit 32 nonprofit organizations and those they serve.
Over 800 volunteers will be an incredible new record for us and, on that day, these volunteers will be a force for good. They will not only bring a wide range of gifts and talents to their projects, they will be united in purpose and driven with compassion for the well-being of our community. The work they will do will be meaningful and will make a difference to many.
The United Way is excited about and looking forward to the strong turnout. We are grateful for the many individuals and companies who volunteer to improve community conditions for all. It is yet another reflection that we recognize and appreciate our connectedness and interdependence.
Muhammad Ali, arguably the greatest boxer of all time and someone who spent way more time working out in a gym than I ever will, once said, “Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on Earth.” Serving and volunteering does make the community better and stronger. If all of us truly chipped in, the “rent” Ali spoke about will certainly be affordable and even enjoyable … at least much more enjoyable than cardio machines and crunches!
If you would like to be part of this wonderful effort to serve, please call the United Way at 570-829-6711.