United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Area celebrated the start of their annual campaign, which aims to raise $1,175,000, with three-weeks worth of kick-off activities.

On Aug. 30, United Way, along with the Grand Forks Parent Information Center, co-sponsored a Kids Expo. Parents and children visited booths of various agencies providing after-school activities and programs for area children and families throughout the evening. Family-friendly entertainment and activities were also a part of the first-time event.

"Because North Dakota ranks number one for two-income families, we know that there are a lot of children coming home from school to empty homes," said Pat Berger, President and CEO of United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Area. "The Kids Expo was a great showcase for families to learn about the many options for children after school."

The following week a breakfast and training session for campaign volunteers officially ushered in the start of the campaign on Sept. 8, at UND’s Ina Mae Rude Entrepreneur Center.

Agency directors representing the four focus areas spoke at the kick-off and everyone got an opportunity to view the new 2005 campaign video.

The Family Fun Tent at the annual Potato Bowl French Fry Feed capped off the kick-off events on Sept. 15. United Way provided free balloons and agency-sponsored activities for children at the popular event, which ranged from a hockey game and duck pond game to shooting off bottle rockets and coloring.

United Way board members helped serve up a record number of french fries to the thousands of people who enjoyed the beautiful September evening festivities.

The successful events highlight an exciting campaign, which includes the rolling out of the Community Impact Agenda - a new approach that will look at getting to the bottom of community problems and making lasting changes that improve lives.

"I’m very pleased to be a part of this year’s campaign as we allocate funds through our new Community Impact Agenda and really work to meet our community’s most urgent needs," said Mark Rios, 2005 Campaign Chairperson.

by Earl Beal, Mark Rios & Curt Sandberg

In times of crisis and disaster, we often are called upon to show our support to those directly affected by these tragedies. Whether it’s locally with the 1997 Red River flood, nationally with 9-11 or globally with the tsunami and London bombings, we in Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and the local area have rallied time and time again to demonstrate just how much we truly care about the victims.

Therefore, it is no surprise that we now are witnessing the overwhelming response from our community for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. From local fund-raisers and relief shipments to volunteers traveling to the devastated areas along the Gulf Coast, residents from our area are demonstrating just how much they truly do care. We also know that the "caring" will continue for a very long time after the rescue/relief phase of this disaster is well over.

During the rescue/relief phase, our country’s first responders are immediately at the scene. These include the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, both which have local chapters and are supported by your community’s United Way campaign. As a result, we issued an appeal in the form of a press release Sept. 1. In it, we encouraged individuals who wanted to show that they cared for the victims of the hurricane to donate directly to their national organizations.

The call for Pat’s proven skills at the national level and, at the same time, the need for her leadership here for the 2005 local campaign, reflect a dilemma which often exists. That dilemma becomes more apparent when we have a demonstrated record that shows we care and our community certainly has that kind of record. However, it became crystal clear to the many volunteers and agency staff who make up our Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Area United Way that "caring" is not about "either/or," especially in times of crisis, but rather a resounding issue of "AND."

We were reminded of the analogy of the instructions given during an in-flight airline emergency. The emphasis is for those who are trying to help the more vulnerable first to put on their own oxygen masks before attempting to help others with theirs. This in no way implies that one should care only about one’s own well-being. It does, however, suggest that a community must be able to demonstrate it has the capacity/ability to care. Therefore, in our community, the 2005 United Way campaign seeks to reflect our local "caring" by investing in four community priorities: strengthening and supporting families, supporting vulnerable and aging populations, helping children and youth succeed and promoting self sufficiency.

In the final analysis, the many wonderful and dedicated United Way campaign volunteers are demonstrating their concern for our community. However, it takes all of us working together to pull it off. Therefore, please show that you care and know that your "caring" will be translated into tangible results, i.e., the lives we change and the community we shape.

Nothing beats starting a campaign with the contagious enthusiasm that comes from already meeting and exceeding set goals. Seven organizations were responsible for setting this year’s campaign pace by shooting for a 20 percent increase in employee giving and achieving a 45 percent increase during their pacesetter campaigns.

Together, Nissan Honda of Grand Forks, Dakota Supply Group, Gaffaney’s - The Office Place, Gate City Bank, the Grand Forks Herald, Insight Technologies and the North Dakota Mill and Elevator raised $44,000!

The pacesetters ran their campaigns during the month of August and worked hard to set the pace for United Way donors. By using proven strategies, such as incentives, agency tours and speakers, they made their campaigns informative, creative and fun.

United Way would like to thank the Pacesetter Coordinator, Alan Bye from Alerus Financial, and his volunteers, Kathy Mohn and Gary Keller, also from Alerus Financial, for their strong leadership in running another successful pacesetter campaign! These organizations have clearly set an outstanding pace for the 2005 campaign!

Click here for pictures of the pacesetter organizations and more detailed information on the campaigns.

One of those needs is so basic it is often overlooked. Most of us take a clean pair of underwear and socks for granted, but underwear, which you would not want to buy in a thrift store, and diapers, which you cannot buy with food stamps, can almost be a luxury item for some people.

United Way started Undies Sundays for this reason two years ago, and each year it has proven to be a success. Please help us top last year’s 12,000 item goal and bring new underwear, socks, diapers and personal care items to the drop-off sites (click here for a full list) through Oct. 16.

The donated items will be sorted on National Make a Difference Day on Oct. 22, and then given to adults and children in local shelters and foster care. Thank you to all the drop-off sites and donors for the kindness and generosity you have shown by helping meet this simple need.

Click here to view pictures from the campaign kick-off events.