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Live United by Erin Haag

There was a message on my voicemail the other day. A woman said she saw one of our donation boxes and while she knew our last community distribution day was past, she wondered if I could point her to other resources. I called her and she answered on the first ring. “Thank you for taking the time to call me back.” Her genuine appreciation was so very clear over the phone that the simple statement resonated all the deeper. I assured her that we could make an appointment. They had been in the midst of moving across the country when their vehicle broke down. Being from a warmer state, they weren’t prepared for the colder weather and snow. They’re familiar with it, having previously lived north, they just didn’t have anything yet. They had planned on shopping when they arrived in their chosen new town. That’s where it started. She only was asking for winter gear for her three boys, and maybe some resources.

Little by little, the story came out. “God led me here.” She shared the story of how the water was as brown as coca cola where they lived. The water wasn’t safe to drink, and she worried about having access to clean, fresh water. The family decided to move and starting thinking about where a good fit would be. She shared how she kept thinking “Follow the fish” and felt it was God speaking to her. Fish seek clean waters. Looking at the map, the line of the Mississippi River traveled up north here to Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes. The family researched towns and decided that Mankato would be a place to start over. “God had other ideas though. The car broke down here, but when we looked around we decided to stay here.” They’re living in a hotel right now, as they get their house straightened out. She’d already connected with the appropriate persons, mentioned them by name. One thing that stuck out to me was that she was using names. Sometimes I hear things, “I talked to the lady at xyz.” Not this mama. She knew exactly what agency she talked to, the person she talked to, and what the next steps were. She’s not without resources, she is simply in transition. The boys are enrolled in school, ready to start after break, and she’s job hunting. In just a few short days, such an impression has been made that I’ve gotten calls to both nominate and adopt the family for Jingle. When I met her in person and gave her the winter gear, and explained about Jingle, she began to cry. She told me she had felt so welcomed into our community, so embraced. I’m proud of our community, and that’s she’s experienced this level of welcoming.

I recently wrote about the senior that had considered suicide. During our conversation, we had talked about ways to combat loneliness and the quiet. Knowing he often went to the library to use the computer and visit with others, I suggested books. At the time, he shook his head at me and said he wasn’t much for reading. On Thursday, the busiest day of the year he stopped in and asked to see me. Krissy let me know that he was here while I was working with another client. I didn’t realize at first that he was waiting for me specifically. I knew I’d be a while, but it was reported to me that he didn’t mind waiting, he had all the time in the world. I suggested they offer to charge his phone and I knew that he’d probably enjoy sitting and chatting with Deb who was volunteering at the check in desk in our waiting room.

He wanted to tell me that he had thought about what I said about reading and decided he’d give it another try. A book called “Starkweather” was on display. He explained to me that if you were in Nebraska in the ’50s, you knew exactly what that name meant — a 19-year-old boy with a 14-year-old girlfriend that went on a killing spree. He told me how good the book was, delving into the psychology of both the killer and the mindset of the general public.

Now, I’m a book lover, but I’m definitely not one for true crime. I don’t even watch the news, and my reading entertainment is light and fluffy these days. I loved how excited he was about this book though, he told me specific details — more than I probably wanted to hear on that particular subject, but I took joy in his excitement. He said, “Anyway, I wanted you to know, I took your suggestion.”

Since I had him there, I let him know that his “Beat the Winter Blues” gifts were there. I told him that we would bring them to his home, but I asked if he would like to see them. He said yes, and I told him I’d bring them in. He laughed and said, “I’ll close my eyes for the surprise.” We brought in the warm winter clothing, the new tennis shoes and new slippers. The radio and warm blanket. He opened his eyes and said, “Socks! They got me socks!” He was so excited to see the three packs of socks, he completely overlooked everything else. I pointed them out, saying, “These are for you, too.” He was shocked. He thought just the socks were for him, and was so overwhelmed with gratitude at the idea of socks. When I reassured him that he also was getting the shoes and jeans and sweatshirts, he couldn’t speak. He stared at his gifts, and took my hand and squeezed it, unable to say anything. While he’s a social man, he’s not one to get misty eyed, so I briskly told him, “Let’s try these on.” I helped him try on his shoes, and he exclaimed over what a perfect fit they were. He thought the slip-on design was nifty and pointed out the yellow arch support inside. I showed him the CD/radio player, and he said, “I’m going to the library and I can get some CDs for music!” I told him to ask the librarian about audio books as well. “That’s genius!”

These are two of the several stories that have happened just in the last two days. The stories aren’t finished, as we have families coming in today to shop at the pantry, providers working overtime to pick up gifts for their Jingle families and volunteers organizing coats. The gratitude is overflowing this week, from providers trying to meet the needs of their families, from the families/clients themselves and from volunteers. You have mine as well, because United Way wouldn’t exist without the support of the community. If you‘d like to consider us in your year-end giving so we can keep up this work in 2025, donations can be mailed to PO Box 686, Albert Lea, MN 56007, or dropped off at our outdoor drop-box at 411 S. First Ave., Albert Lea, MN.

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