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Live United by Erin Haag

Over the past year, I’ve trained several people how to use the electric pallet jack that we use to move pallets of food around. I’ve learned a lot of things in the past five years that I didn’t ever think I’d need to know, but here we are. It’s become somewhat of a tradition for me to take photo evidence and maybe even video evidence of a person’s first time using the pallet jack. For myself and almost everyone I’ve trained, there’s hesitation in the beginning. Like a kid with a learner’s permit, you stop a little too hard on the gas, and then when you realize the power, you scale way back, to the point where it’s not smooth anymore and you’re traveling in little jerky movements. Eventually, people are comfortable enough that they’re able to smoothly go down to the dock. Surprisingly, that’s not the most intimidating part. The intimidating part is when you’ve got volunteers with that experience watching you maneuver in pallets into a tight space. These guys are retired truck drivers, current truck drivers, licensed fork lift drivers, and have extensive experience in warehouses. They’re veterans, with stoic faces and dry senses of humor. They get the job done. Last night, one of the volunteers told me how he had organized something so that there was room for “whatever crazy thing you come up with.” The way I figure it, they’re volunteers, and they must think we’re doing something right if they keep showing up day after day.

Despite the potential stoic judgment happening with the little head shakes and half smiles that might actually be a sarcastic smirk, the United Way team have learned how to move those pallets.

We’ve all come a long way from the jerky movements. I might still be utilizing a ridiculous amount of turns to get something settled in just right, but I’m not panicking about knocking the whole pallet over. Enter the newest member of our team, Jonah. Jonah has been a volunteer, doing grocery carryout and helping out in the backstock room. His mom is Rosemary, so he’s been one of the “United Way kids” that get drafted into helping out when we need a few hands. He’s an avid rock climber and biker, working for Community Education a couple of nights a week while finishing up high school. Because Jonah is in school, he wasn’t on my radar as a potential team member. I thought he’d be tied up with his school work, but as Rosemary and I were talking about staffing duties and volunteers available, I mentioned that we used to have a position just for the truck, and that we really could use a staff member who could handle the more physical aspects of unloading trucks and setting up tables, etc. She let me know that Jonah might be interested, and that it would work with his schedule. He just celebrated his 18th birthday, which is my comfort level for some of the duties that involve the warehouse and machinery. Hrm…

One night, before I had gotten organized enough to do an interview or write up a formal job description, Jonah was volunteering. I taught him how to use the pallet jack. He took it for a walk, maneuvered a couple of different pallets into place, and did it all so smoothly that I was sure those stoic volunteer men would have applauded. Rosemary laughed and said, “of course, anything with wheels.” A couple of weeks, a resume and an interview later, and Jonah is officially a member of our team, assisting with the truck on Monday and Wednesday mornings. He works an opposite schedule of his mom, so he’s been eyeballing up her office. I may have encouraged some good natured shenanigans involving name plates on the office door.

The team of United Way volunteers and staff have evolved. We said hello to Jonah, and goodbye to Daylynn. We’ve added new volunteers to our rotation, and some have stepped away for the time being. We’ve got world travelers, and I know that with the shorter days, some will be leaving for warmer climates for the winter. Volunteers have started new jobs, started college and other major life changes. Others have walked in and made themselves invaluable in just a few short weeks. We’ve been struggling with Wednesday nights for a while, but that seems to have balanced out a bit now. I’m still hoping to get more of a routine going with a few more key players signing up in advance, but it somehow always works out.

I was so impressed with one volunteer. She signed up, and left us a note saying she’d move to whatever position we needed her to do. She did a number of things that night, and when we had a couple of key positions open the next night, she responded to our call right away. She checked people in, disinfected our waiting room, cleaned the front hallway, including the spider that had moved in and in general tackled the little odd jobs that always make our days a little longer. It was so appreciated. It was like having a mom coming into the house and doing the dishes and starting a load of laundry — and all with a smile and a spirit of joy. We asked her if she’d be interested in furthering her training and helping out with phone calls, etc. Immediately she said yes, and said she was available for training on Friday. Some of our volunteer positions require a comfort level with technology, and it’s not always easy to find volunteers able and willing to do that.

In the next week, we’ll be sending out a call for volunteers for our Winter Gear Drive. Soon after that, it’ll be time for Jingle. It’s a fast slide to the holiday season, and one of our most critical times for making an impact, meeting the needs of our community and providing opportunities for local businesses to give back. If you’d like to join us as a volunteer at any level, give us a call at 507-373-8670 and we’ll help find the right fit for you or your business to give back to the community.

Erin Haag is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.