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Live United by Erin Haag

My kids hung up their cleats for the season. It’s bittersweet — it’s a summer highlight to sit on a ball field, watching the kids play. At the same time, it’s nice to reclaim a little bit of time back and eat dinner at the actual kitchen table. Except wait … my kitchen table is covered with stuff — 4-H and county fair stuff to be exact. There are projects being made, Lego creations and schedules to keep track of. Volunteering for the Clover Stand, the Ag Learning Lab, the poultry barn; oh, and the historical society is looking for a few more shifts for Saturday. My daughter loves the historical society, so she naturally was wondering if she could go there. I told her to slow her roll, that we needed to figure out all of our other commitments first.

With all of this running around, my office might find a kid taking a nap under my desk, eating their supper in the break room before they get picked up for a ride to practice/game/home. With kids the same age and in some of the same activities, Rosemary and I sometimes tag team. We’re not above recruiting the team of kids to come to the office to help unload a pallet in the backstock room. They’re easily bribed with the promise of ice cream, and all they need for entertainment is an empty watermelon tote to play in. They’ll also carry out groceries, check shoppers in and stock the milk and eggs. There’s colorful sidewalk chalk on the walkway up to our door.

Shoppers bring their children at times. Our Little Free Library is being used, and Rosemary created some coloring pages. Yesterday, a boy sat and colored while his parent shopped in the pantry. He grinned at me as I walked back and turned his focus back to this very serious business. Later, I was talking with our volunteer at the Welcome Desk in the pantry and saw that those pieces of art now had a place of honor on the wall. The volunteer told me he was so proud to present them to her.

There’s a work colleague that has also utilized our programs. As a single mom, she’s brought her three kids in a few times. Each time, the kids have been extremely polite, thanking me for help and talking with me. They’ll hug me when saying goodbye. It’s all very sweet, and I have tremendous respect for their mama for working to raise her children this way. The other day though took it to the next level. I was at an appointment, and ran into them. Youngest kiddo came straight to me for a hug, snuggling in. His older brother stood right behind him, holding his arms out, waiting his turn. These boys are upper elementary, usually the “too cool for school” phase, so it’s sweet. Then, I had teenager girl walk up behind them and offer a hug as well. Of course, I had to stand up, because she’s so tall now. Gosh these kids. They’re going to rule the world. If they’re like these kids, it’s going to be a beautiful future.

At a playground, I heard a little girl say, “I know that lady.” Her mom answered, “Yes, she works at the food pantry where we go grocery shopping.” The little girl said, “with my little blue shopping cart and the puffy stickers?” To me, the conversation was a milestone for the pantry. We’d reached a point where it was normal to go grocery shopping. We’re the “store” with the “little blue shopping cart” and puffy stickers,

United Way is supporting these kids that are going to rule the world. It might be through Community Impact Grants that help fund scholarships for the Albert Lea Y, the Children’s Center or Food for Backpacks. Or maybe it’s through puffy stickers and little blue shopping carts and play kitchens at the Welcome Pantry. It’s working with the school social workers to ensure the kids have winter coats. We work with the juvenile probation officers and provide community service hours, keeping them accountable and making teaching a little something in the process.

Grandparents come in to volunteer with their grandkids. Or the kids of myself and my staff are learning what it means to work in a nonprofit, and how to give back themselves, and create space for themselves as well.

Sweet kids start out as sweet babies. Over a year ago, Mayo Clinic hosted a diaper and wipes drive. Those diapers and wipes became the basis for the diaper program through the Welcome Pantry. Families can receive 15 diapers a month, per kid. We’ve been working off that one drive for a year, with a few supplemental donations here and there. As of today, we’re working off of our last few diapers packs. If this is something that speaks to you, consider hosting a diaper drive through your business, your church, or other group that might take up the cause. If diapers aren’t your thing, then what about a Healthy Starts food drive? Breakfast foods — cereal, granola bars, pancake mixes and syrup are some of our most popular items at the pantry.

All too soon, it’s going to be time for the Winter Gear Drive. I tell you what—I spied a few clearance sales, stores cleaning out the backstock room of last year’s stuff to get it out of the way for new stuff to come in. Maybe it’s a great time to pick up some of those winter coats for the first round of kids that need them on the first cold day. Or maybe you’re intrigued by the fact that kids help at the pantry, too. We’d love to have a few upper elementary or middle school students help with grocery carryout, or on Tuesdays to unload the truck.

I know that kids are busy, and their parents are even busier. There’s room in your life for volunteering though. Let’s lead by example and show these kids how they can change the world, so when they’re grown up, they know they can. To learn more visit our website tat unitedwayfc.org or give us a call at 507-373-8670.

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