United Way of Southwest Minnesota is kicking off our annual fundraising campaign in September. As United Way staff discussed our marketing efforts and how we’d like to get the word out this year, one thing was certain. We need to find a way to better explain what we do. This led us to comparing what we do in our communities to a theater production.

A theater production needs many things for it to be successful–it’s more than just what you see on stage. There is someone running sound, lights, curtains, moving props, etc. The actors couldn’t put on the production alone. If you attended a production and could only see a dark stage, it probably wasn’t as good as it could have been with the stage lights and spotlight on.

This examples illustrates the need for United Way in our communities. United Way is working behind the scenes in our communities funding critical programs that make a difference in the lives of local people. It takes a team of people to make our communities stronger. Programs like:

• Reading tutors at local schools

• Meals on Wheels delivery to home bound senior citizens

• 24 hour domestic violence support

These programs (and many others) are here and thriving because of the funding they receive from United Way of Southwest Minnesota and because of the donations made by many individuals, corporations and businesses.

Only by working together can we support better living conditions for Every Person in Every Community, Every Day of the Year.

Join us and be part of the best work, team work, by making a donation today either online at www.unitedwayswmn.org OR by mail PO Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258.

— Sarah Kicmal is president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Minnesota