Underneath everything we are, underneath everything we do, we are all people, connected, interdependent, united, and when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. That’s what it means to live united.

These two sentences summarize what “Live United” really means. The words “influence the condition of all” are central to United Way and the important work it supports; working towards a better world, a better community, a better life for everyone.

The past two years as the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County I have been privileged to work with amazing people who epitomize these words. People who volunteer to work on the annual campaign, to serve on committees and boards, businesses that let us into their factories or warehouses or offices so we can talk about United Way, employees who give part of each pay check to United Way, grateful recipients of programs funded by United Way, anonymous donors, middle school kids who raise funds for people they don’t even know, individuals who take the extra effort come to our office to make their United Way gift, and many others. Wonderful people reaching out to influence the condition of all, this is amazing.

Two groups; the United Way leadership and the leadership at each of the partner agencies merit special mention.

United Way of Freeborn County has been successfully raising money for local nonprofit social service programs since the 1930s, and it has been successful because of the passion of local volunteers. The leadership of the volunteer board of directors, campaign committee and allocations committee always seem to step up to the plate and motivate others to continue providing what is needed. The board provides direction and operating support, the campaign committee does the hard work of asking people for money, and the allocations committee decides what programs receive what funds.

I have been privileged to work with many United Way leaders that I now call friends: board chairpersons Heidi Cunningham, Deb Kenison, and Dan Kolker; campaign chairpersons Mary and Phil Bartusek, Karol Held and Angie Eggum, and Sue Berg and Tiffany Hagan; and allocations committee chairwomen Jane Madson, Tricia Dahl, Vickie Hise, and Melissa Bakken. To each of you and to all volunteers thank you for supporting the United Way.

The individuals who lead the partner agencies are the unsung heroes of our community. They are the ones that do the work necessary to feed the hungry, find shelter for the homeless, provide quality care for our kids, counsel those suffering, help seniors stay in their homes as long as possible, coach developmentally disabled workers on the job, and support families when disasters strike.

The leaders of the partner agencies work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure those who need help get it. They spend hours budgeting, and somehow figure out how they can do what is needed on constantly limited dollars. These people have my respect, my admiration, and my thanks.

Because in Freeborn County, underneath everything we are, underneath everything we do, we are all people, connected, interdependent, united, and when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. That’s what it means to live united.

David Bonnerup is the former executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County. His final day was Friday. The new director, Ann Austin, starts Monday.