United Way - SJ-R weekly column - Mobilizing a community of volunteers

Originally published Sunday, October 6, 2013 in the State Journal-Register.  Look for weekly United Way columns in the Our Towns section during the annual campaign.
 
Mobilizing a community of volunteers 
By John Kelker, President at United Way of Central Illinois

Horace Mann once said, “Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves. We do ourselves the most good doing something for others.”

In those words, the great education reformer and abolitionist captured the essence of humanity and in many ways summarizes why we work every day to encourage others to give, volunteer and advocate.
I was reminded of these words on Friday as more than 250 volunteers, including many from the company named for Horace Mann, headed to local agencies to spend an afternoon in service to our community. These individuals spent time painting, building, organizing and cleaning at agencies throughout the Springfield area.

From helping with fall preparations at Henson Robinson Zoo to working the Fall Festival at Concordia Village, these individuals...Read More